TRACING THE TANGLED STRINGS OF WHAT WE CALL EXISTENCE

The world is an abstract concept where everything and anything you will know and encounter can be questioned, even abstraction itself. And where there is questioning, there are not always answers—at least, not clear ones. Abstract concepts of the world are often frustrating and, most importantly, abstract. Yet, even abstractions themselves can be broken down and analyzed, which is where the role of philosophy comes in. It is not a source of definitive answers, but it is a way to engage with, and perhaps understand, the abstract and unknown.

This is the basis of the knowledge known as philosophy. This knowledge is primarily said to bring “comfort” to questions that are unnerving. People often search for this knowledge to answer worries, to find comfort and reassurance from the inconceivable unknown. But “comfort,” in the case of philosophy, does not come in the form of reassurance. More specifically, it offers comfort through structure, in which “abstract” concepts, although unclear and frustrating, can still be conceived by giving perspective on said concepts and questions. It gives one a way to think about something akin to tangled strings with no end. It does not promise an answer or reveal where the end is, but it gives one a way to trace the strands, reveal new intersections, and accept and exist with these complexities without needing an absolute answer as a source of comfort.

So, does philosophy actually bring comfort? Simply: yesn’t. Philosophy can be a source of comfort, something to hold onto so you do not feel completely lost when contemplating certain difficulties in life. But then again, philosophy itself is not as simple as plucking grass in the meadows. Philosophy answers simple questions by creating more complex questions. The question may feel simple, but as you go on to explore more lines of the string, one may get lost along the way or perhaps become tangled within the line. It challenges beliefs and explores different perspectives, which reveal more uncertainty as you go on—and where there is uncertainty, there is discomfort.

But simply saying this is not enough to get a clear perspective on philosophy, so let us explore some examples of these “abstractions” and questions. To get to know this knowledge of philosophy, what there is to know first is that one of the main structures of philosophy is its branches.

The knowledge of philosophy is divided into multiple branches, such as metaphysics, epistemology, ethics, logic, and aesthetics. The objective of each and every one of these branches is to question and explore these concepts at their deepest level. Ironically, to start these explorations at their “deepest” level, it begins with a simple question, such as “What exists?” or “Why do we exist?” A simple “what” or “why” question with a touch of existence becomes a deep philosophical question on existence. What makes it “deep” is that, again, we demand an answer from something abstract. A simple answer would be that we exist, everything exists, but then the question of what existence is arises, and slowly it forms into tangled lines of questions to explore.

So, why do we not try experiencing “philosophy” ourselves and see if it brings us comfort? To experience philosophy at its deepest level is, well, to make a philosophy of philosophy itself.

Now, let us try opening an intersection on the line, with the pathway of metaphysics. The field of metaphysics in philosophy is to question existence and reality at their most fundamental level.

“What is existence?”, “What exists?”, and “Why does it exist?” Well, for instance, I, you, and we all exist in a world that also exists. But what does it mean to “exist”? Does a paper exist in the same way that thoughts do? A mouse exists, a thought exists, and the number 5 also exists—but how do they exist, or do they exist in the same way?

To exist is to appear, to be found, and to be known. A mouse exists physically; it occupies space and time. The number 5 exists, but it is not physical, although it is known and accepted as a form of knowledge. A thought exists; again, it does not occupy space, but it is experienced, and it is agreed upon that it exists. It is known and comprehensible, so it exists. To exist does not necessarily require a physical form or occupation of space in reality. So, is existence simply to be known? But for a thought to exist is to think it, and the same goes for dreams and illusions. Does it mean illusions and dreams, in some way, “exist” if they are known and experienced? So then we circle back to the question of what “existence” is and how it works.

Any famous philosopher who has explored the topic of “existence” has a perspective different from the others, creating more and more questions and revealing more intersections.

Some famous philosophers’ views include:

• Plato saw existence beyond the physical.

• Aristotle grounded it within reality itself.

• Descartes found certainty in thought.

• Nietzsche rejected predetermined meaning.

• Sartre believed humans create themselves through choice.

And that is the very essence of philosophy. The ultimate answer to finding comfort in philosophy, in an abstract world, is itself abstract. Again, there is nothing completely right or wrong in the world. Beliefs shape the world into what it is today, so I say there is nothing wrong with seeking comfort in something like philosophy. Sure, it may lead to discomfort, or maybe even your very doom—who knows? But so does everything else in the world. It is simply how the world works.

Being born into a world of tangled strings makes you feel lost, but the thing is, we are not alone. And as long as we have a grip on those strings, we can never truly be lost. There will be days where we feel lost along the way, but in this world, I believe there is always a way back, as long as the strings remain endless and eternal. We too will always be, because despite everything, you are still you. The very core of human consciousness will always remain eternal—or at least, that is what I believe.

But for me, after all the questioning and analyzing, I ask myself: does philosophy bring me comfort?

For me, I would not say that it is something of comfort. It is more like something I enjoy. Philosophy is just another form of knowledge for me to learn about this world, and dare I say that perhaps the abstraction and unpredictability of this existence bring me some comfort.

The raw, eternal abstraction of this world can also be translated into “a world of infinite possibilities and answers,” which leads me to believe that until the chance is zero, there will always be an answer, a chance, and a possibility—and that gives comfort in a way. A universe filled with millions and billions of infinite possibilities, a space that could never truly be empty, where even death is something among those possibilities—that is what makes this world interesting, eh?

I think it gives me comfort that this world will never be empty. It is filled with all kinds of intersections among all the tangled strings. It is just a shame that we will never get to explore it completely before finality consumes us.

And with all that said, philosophy is just another small branch among this universe that we can grasp, so it is up to you to decide for yourself if it brings comfort. There is no logical explanation for emotions. Comfort is a feeling of relief that exists within everybody.

So let me ask again: does questioning the very existence of this world bring you comfort? I believe the answer lies within every individual.