What do Spanish philosopher Miguel de Unamuno (1864-193) and the fictional character Currant from Megan Preston Meyer's novel Firebrand have in common? Both experienced profound existential crises, each grappling with different dilemmas.
Unamuno's crisis stemmed from his inability to reconcile faith and reason. He recognized the limitations of reason in palliating the tragic reality of our mortality.
Unamuno also recognized that faith involved a belief, a leap of trust that there is something beyond the mere vanishing of life upon death. Nonetheless, the nature of faith inherently meant that certainty about one's beliefs could not be attained.
When doubt creeps in, there's no stick to hang on to.
Faith and reason are intertwined. They cannot be reconciled, according to Unamuno. But they can both be a source of meaning in our lives. Unamuno believed that humans have an inherent desire for immortality. Since we don't know whether or not there's life after death, or the soul is immortal, our best bet is to live a meaningful and authentic life.
What does this mean?
It means that we ought to develop a sense of self-awareness, explore what brings us joy, and pursue our interests with passion and commitment. Of course, this brings up all sorts of questions, including an ethical one.
How should we live our lives? As social animals, individuals who are part of communities and societies, ethics provides a space for us to contemplate how we can coexist harmoniously.
An existential crisis can be triggered for many reasons. In the case of Unamuno it was the impossibility of reconciling faith and reason.
Currant, the protagonist of the recently published novel Firebrand, grappled with the disparity between her theoretical MBA training, her expectations, and the harsh realities of the corporate world.
Not only did she wrestle with imposter syndrome, feeling as though everyone else possessed knowledge she lacked, but she also encountered an ethical dilemma.
Let's delve deeper into this scenario: Imagine you have just started a new job as a fresh graduate, and within your first month, you happen to stumble upon a possible case of stolen or plagiarized logo design for an upcoming product line that your company is preparing to launch.
What course of action would you take in such a situation? Would you opt to ignore the issue and proceed with the marketing campaign? Or would you raise the matter with your manager?
Now what would you do if, in addition, a possible murder is added to the mix?
These are some of the issues that Currant explores during her first few months at her new corporate job.
Throughout our lives, we encounter numerous dichotomies that can be exceedingly challenging to reconcile. At times, we may hastily jump to conclusions and perceive things as strictly black or white. In our quest for certainty, we often lean towards extreme positions in pursuit of finding the definitive answer.
Recognizing this, Unamuno navigated the complexities of life and the philosophical space by engaging in a thoughtful dialogue between dichotomies, preventing himself from succumbing to the pitfalls of extreme dogmatism.
Currant undergoes a similar process. Unlike the case studies she encountered during her MBA days, her existential unease arises from her endeavor to navigate the dichotomies inherent in the corporate world. She seeks to avoid premature conclusions and resists adhering to a single perspective without carefully considering alternative scenarios.
Firebrand offers a refreshing perspective, it vividly portrays the complexities of the real world in contrast to the constrained environment of MBA case studies. Relatable, fun, and mind-stirring, it will leave you with plenty of food for thought (or perhaps coffee for thought).
In my Philosophy for Professionals workshop, I strive to foster this very spirit. Throughout the workshop, we delve into the power of asking meaningful questions to reframe and solve problems. We also explore various frameworks that enable us to navigate uncertainty, adversity, and stress. Additionally, we delve deeper into different ethical decision-making frameworks, nurturing a deeper understanding of ethical principles.
Navigating the complexities of the real world requires ongoing contemplation, dialogue, a willingness to question established norms, and a disposition for the nuances between the many dichotomies we grapple with on a daily basis in an attempt to live a more meaningful, authentic, and potentially ethically grounded existence.
Thank you for reading!