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Applying existentialist philosophy to the challenges of maintaining meaning and authenticity in a tech-saturated world.
If your 'For You' page predicts your next move before you even think of it, are you still the one making the choice—or are you just a character in an algorithm's script?
Jean-Paul Sartre argued that humans are 'condemned to be free.' However, this freedom causes anxiety, leading us to slip into Bad Faith (mauvaise foi). This is the act of lying to oneself to escape the weight of choice. In the digital age, we often treat our social media profiles as our 'essence.' We act as if we are our curated feed, pretending we have no choice but to maintain a specific 'brand.' We become like Sartre's famous waiter who plays the 'role' of a waiter too perfectly, losing his humanity in the process. By adhering to a digital persona, we trade our radical freedom for the comfort of a pre-defined, algorithmic identity.
1. An influencer feels a deep sadness but chooses to post a 'high-energy' travel photo because it fits their 'brand.' 2. They tell themselves, 'I have to post this; it's my job.' 3. By claiming they 'have' to do it, they are in Bad Faith, denying their freedom to act otherwise to avoid the social or financial consequences of being authentic.
Quick Check
According to Sartre, why do we enter into 'Bad Faith'?
Answer
To escape the anxiety and 'anguish' that comes with the realization of our absolute freedom and responsibility.
Existentialism posits that our 'situation' or facticity (the facts of our life) provides the canvas, but our transcendence (our ability to project ourselves beyond those facts) defines our freedom. Algorithms, however, use our past data to predict our future, creating a filter bubble. If the probability of being shown a new idea is because the algorithm only serves what you already like, your 'horizon of possibilities' shrinks. This limits your capacity for transcendence. When your environment is perfectly tailored to your past, your ability to choose a different future is systematically undermined.
1. A user only sees political content that aligns with their existing views due to algorithmic sorting. 2. The user believes they are making an 'authentic' choice in their beliefs. 3. In reality, their 'situation' (facticity) has been so narrowed that they are no longer aware of alternative choices, making their 'freedom' an illusion curated by code.
Quick Check
How does a filter bubble impact 'transcendence'?
Answer
It limits the range of new information and experiences, making it harder for an individual to project themselves into a future that is different from their past.
1. Imagine a world where AI performs all productive labor (Universal Basic Income is achieved). 2. Humans no longer define themselves by 'what they do' for a living. 3. The challenge: One must now create meaning from 'nothing' (the Void). Without the resistance of work or struggle, achieving an authentic essence requires a radical, self-driven commitment to art, philosophy, or community that most are unprepared for.
Which term describes the act of pretending you have no choice but to follow a social media trend?
In the context of algorithms, what does 'Facticity' represent?
If 'Existence precedes Essence,' then humans are born with a pre-determined purpose.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to explain the difference between 'Facticity' and 'Transcendence' to a friend using your TikTok or YouTube feed as an example.
Practice Activity
Digital Fast: Spend one hour making decisions (what to eat, what to listen to, what to read) without using a search engine or recommendation algorithm. Notice if you feel more 'free' or more 'anxious'.