12 Theories & Philosophies To Put You In An Existential Mind-Melt

Existential questions are some of the most interesting questions to ask someone. The reason being is that we've all been there - in that state of mind. Let me ask you this: Do you ever find yourself wanting more out of a conversation? maybe you've gone through all the standard getting-to-know-you questions, and you're wanting to spice things up a little with a conversation that is left with open-ended answers.

I'm a BIG fan of these conversations. You really learn about the person - or people - you're talking to. Existential questions are more thoughtful than deep questions, and they're designed to make you ponder all the possible outcomes of a situation. They even have the power to make you completely rethink your perspective on life.

Human history is marked with philosophies and theories that not only make us feel like we're nothing but puppets getting our strings pulled, but show us time and time again just how insignificant and petty our existence is compared to the mysteries and phenomena of the universe. These are the theories that give us immense existential crises.

And today, I have compiled of list of 12 such philosophies and theories that make us question our very existence. READER BEWARE! But also, just have fun with these and don't freak yourself out, okay? Cool.

1. Parallel Universe Theory

This theory is highly debated among speculated scientific theories. According to this theory, a multiple number of parallel universes exactly like ours exist. We, obviously, would also exist in these universes, but perhaps in a different shape or situation. You may be a huge movie star there, or maybe that you has already died.

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2. The Big Bang Theory

As everyone knows, this well accepted theory claims that there was a very big 'explosion' and the universe came into being from virtually nothing. Question is, how can a big explosion emerge out of nothing? That's these theories are making you question the origin of our very existence!

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3. Theory of Relativity

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According to this theory, time isn't absolute and time travel is possible. So if you travel backwards in time, you'll not only meet yourself, but reach the state where you do not exist yet. Sounds fun, right?

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4. Plato's Ideal World Theory

According to the Greek philosopher Plato, our reality, us, and everything, including art and culture, is nothing but an imitation of a perfect form that resides in the ideal state. So, basically, we're nothing but imitations of our better selves.

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5. Freud's Oedipus Complex Theory

The God of modern psychoanalysis, Freud claimed that every man is unconsciously attracted to their mothers, which causes them to envy their fathers.Don't worry, it's the same for girls, only they are attracted to their fathers. ...I know.

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6. Derrida's Deconstruction Theory

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In his epic theory, Derrida claimed that though every structure needs a center to keep it together, since the center is in charge it's not in the structure. And that's where every person and theory lost their mind.

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7. Eternalism

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This philosophical theory claims that time has many layers and all the layers exist simultaneously, but their visibility depends on the viewers specific location. So you coexist with dinosaurs, sort of. Also, according to this theory there's no unpredictable future or free will.

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8. Solipsism

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This theory says that nothing exists but an individual's consciousness. Our reality is just what our consciousness makes it be. The biggest example for this theory comes from people who take LSD. They often have very stark realities that other people claim to be their hallucinations!

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9. Schrodinger's Cat

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According to quantum physics, a nucleus can exist in a super-imposed state of multiple possibilities where it can both decay and die. This is defined by a wave function that collapses when it's observed. Physicist Schrodinger took a radioactive nucleus and a live cat and put them in a box together. As per claim, the cat would both live and die depending on whether the nucleus decays or not. Imagine that happening with humans...

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10. Phenomenalism

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Phenonemalists argue that things only if and as they are perceived. Everything around you exists because you perceive it, and it ceases to exist the moment you stop paying attention to it. And so do you, in a similar situation.

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11. Presentism

This philosophy of St. Augustine argues that there's no past or future the way we divide, but only present exists because time cannot exist before or after it happened. So basically, your next birthday doesn't exist.

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12. The Brain In A Jar Theory

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Thanks to the Matrix series, everyone is more or less aware of this theory. What if we are nothing more than brains in a jar, kept under simulation to think that our reality is indeed our reality, but actually it's not?

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How you guys doing? Nobody rolling on the floor having a panic attack? I hope not. These aren't so bad are they? I mean, unless you really open your mind to them. That's when the real fun - and scary - stuff starts to happen.

See you all tomorrow.

Buh-bye.