Existential Crisis Research Articles

Belonging and Its Discontents

ABSTRACT For a long time, I have been interested in belonging: in how we are forced but also need to belong in communities, in how collective identifications form our subjective identities, in how belonging is the subject-matter of our very sense of self. I have also been interested in un-belonging, in what happens to us when we are refused or choose to refuse a collective affiliation, in the dynamic of alienation, betrayal and freedom that ensues. The paper delves into these themes by journeying through the landscape of my own difficult belonging in the land where I was born: Israel-Palestine, sunk these days in a state of catastrophic war; my experience of belonging as it is being negotiated in my own analysis, carried over the phone between Tel Aviv and New York. It is a personal-theoretical postcard from a place of existential crisis but also hope.

The Yogavāsiṣṭha and the Philosophy of the Absurd: A Hindu Response to the Heart’s Cry

In this article, I call attention to the Yogavāsiṣṭha’s depiction of Rāma’s existential crisis and Vasiṣṭha’s various methods for resolving it. However, I illuminate this crisis and Rāma’s lengthy monologue by turning to an altogether different frame of reference: Albert Camus’s philosophy of the absurd as developed in his absurd-oriented works, from The Myth of Sisyphus to The Rebel. Arguing that Rāma’s existential crisis is strongly reminiscent of Camus’s awakening to life’s absurdity, and that his monologue may be considered among the most successful meditations on this predicament, I examine not only Rāma’s quandary but also what the Yogavāsiṣṭha deems the ultimate response to it. In this way, I throw into sharp relief two contrasting responses to the absurd condition in human life that effectively challenge one another. Considering some of the Indian classical works, such as the Yogavāsiṣṭha, in this light suggests that they too acknowledge the absurd as their starting point and, at least to a certain extent, develop doctrines that aid their practitioners in facing it. Nevertheless, the Yogavāsiṣṭha also enables us to develop our thinking about absurdity and expand the discussion of constructive responses to the reality of the absurd.

RESILIENCE OF UKRAINIANS AS A FACTOR OF NATIONAL SECURITY IN WAR CONDITIONS

Vectors for the study of human resiliency can be found in concepts of the life path, in models of the life world, in works devoted to the study of a person’s resistance to stress, his personal and meaningful life potentials, existential and personal crises. The paper traces evolution of resiliency concept and considers phenomenon of resiliency during war conflicts based on the example of current war in Ukraine.

Shoshi Suffering from Existential Crisis

Shoshi Suffering from Existential Crisis

Shoshi Suffering from Existential Crisis

Shoshi Suffering from Existential Crisis

Lessons from Master Hongyi’s Experiences with Impermanence for Death Education

This paper explores the life and teachings of the renowned Chinese Buddhist monk Master Hongyi (1880–1942), focusing on his transformative encounters with impermanence and their relevance for contemporary death education. Drawing upon historical records, personal writings, and the accounts of his contemporaries, this study traces Master Hongyi’s profound spiritual journey from intense grief and existential crisis to enlightened equanimity in the face of mortality. It examines how his skillful application of Buddhist practices enabled him to find meaning, purpose, and liberation amidst the challenges of aging, illness, and dying. Through an in-depth analysis of Master Hongyi’s wisdom and lived experience, this paper proposes the “Hongyi Model”, an innovative paradigm for integrating the spiritual, psychological, and artistic dimensions of his approach into modern death education. The findings underscore the transformative potential of Buddhist teachings for fostering a more authentic, meaningful, and spiritually grounded engagement with mortality, offering valuable insights for educators, counselors, and healthcare professionals working in end-of-life care.

Existential Crisis and Spiritual Struggle in the Poetry of T.S Eliot’s

Existential Crisis and Spiritual Struggle in the Poetry of T.S Eliot’s

The introspections of contemporary business research: a call for scientific creativity

PurposeThis study aims to squeeze some critical viewpoints from the shifting landscape of business research (she), that conceals her true personality. Today, she is relentlessly struggling to strike a good balance between science and creativity. Therefore, she resolves to pivot the scholarly attention towards “scientific creativity”.Design/methodology/approachBusiness research is personified in this viewpoint paper. By adopting the methodology of third-person omniscient, the author pens the introspections of contemporary business research, and how she would express herself in modern times if she were a living person.FindingsBusiness research introspects that she is suffering from the phenomena of “existential crisis” and “popularity fallacy” in contemporary times. Though she believes that the science of business research is evolving significantly, worries about becoming scientifically monotonous grip her in the dark of the nights. She laments the grim reality of today; studies of a similar nature dominate the research literature while the philosopher in her is fading gradually. Therefore, she calls for more “scientific creativity”. She realises that solving societal problems must remain her foremost priority. However, she believes that her priorities towards society and world peace depend on whether she could revitalise the fading philosopher of personality.Originality/valueThe current viewpoint paper is an attempt to shed some light on the landscape of contemporary business research, which is undergoing unremitting changes. It also highlights the desirable changes in the context of business research.

Sustainability in dentistry part II: Sustainability and the use of chemicals in dentistry

The world is now in an existential ecological crisis. Our deleterious and unsustainable impact on the planet has, among other things, increased greenhouse gas emissions, with further injury from plastics and other waste in the environment. The evidence for an accelerating biodiversity crisis and serious soil degradation in many parts of the world is irrefutable. The pandemic risk to our species and our planet is not if, but when. We have to change the way we organise society in order to make the future sustainable for all species. Worldwide health systems are a significant contributor to environmental damage. The first article in this series discussed general aspects of sustainability in general practice, and this second article examines the use of chemicals in practice.

Lived Experiences of Adolescents with HIV in Rwanda: A Phenomenology Study

BackgroundHIV is a chronic disease with a potentially negative impact on quality of life.Globally, adolescents with HIV (AWH) face incredible challenges related to theirgrowth, social interactions, and well-being. The experiences and choices of AWHin Rwanda are poorly known.ObjectiveThe current study explored the lived experiences of AWH in Rwanda using aninterpretive phenomenological approach.MethodsA purposive and snowball sampling was used to recruit twenty AWH from fivehealth centers. A semi-structured interview guide was used to conduct in-depthinterviews from April to August 2022. All interviews were recorded, and field noteswere taken. The recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim, translated inEnglish, and analyzed using Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA).ResultsThree main themes and nine subthemes emerged from data: burden of HIV(existential crisis, experiences with stigma, keep it a secret), owning my story(awareness of having HIV, making decisions) and successful living with HIV(features of successful living, continuum of self-acceptance, behavioural impact,social interaction).ConclusionThe AWH face challenges related to HIV condition and develop strategies toovercome challenges that hinder their well-being. Results provide valuable insightsthat inform targeted interventions and support programs, ultimately promotingthe well-being of AWH.Rwanda J Med Health Sci. 2024;7(1):63-78

Psychological Stressor Of End Stage Chronic Kidney Disease Patients On Dialysis. A Battle For Life

Introduction Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) may choose to undergo dialysis. Factors that may have led patients to prescribe psychological interventions related to dialysis are poorly understood in the literature. The purpose of this study was to explore multi-level factors surrounding dialysis modalities such as Diagnosed Mood Disorders, Existential crises, Triggering events, Social support, and Distrust towards the process of dialysis.ObjectivesThe study aims to investigate the psychological battle of the client while going through the process of dialysis. The study reveals multiple mood disorders and existential crises leading to depression among chronic kidney disease patients. Therefore the study was conducted with the aim of providing a therapeutic guide line in future once the factors are investigated in detail.MethodsSemi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted in a dialysis clinic in Karachi where 19 participants participated in this qualitative study. The age ranges from 40-76. Initiating with informed consent followed by surveys assessing demographic and clinical information were administered to participants following their interviews.ResultsQualitative findings suggested that patients were dealing with Clinical Mood Disorders without being provided treatment. Moreover, the cohesive family support enabled them to continue with daily living activities; however, the patients with low support triggering adverse events in life lost their lives in follow-up sessions. Furthermore, nephrology care doesn’t seem sufficient as they are dealing with existential crises of hopelessness, regret, condemnation, and elevated death anxiety. In CKD the misinterpretation of dialysis by cognitively substituting it as End of life increased the clinical symptoms of Mood disorders. Thus the risk factors increase disturbing the quality of life.ConclusionsFindings point to broader factors affecting dialysis modalities with Mood disorders. The low social support and adverse triggering events precipitate the risk factors of dialysis treatment. Furthermore, distrust towards dialysis and existential crisis are recommended for therapeutic interventionsDisclosure of InterestNone Declared

The long now and liminality: will we create communitas? A macro-social perspective of COVID-19

The ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic has changed society are the source of widespread discussion. But references to a ‘new normal’ are mostly confined to hybrid working and a possible four-day working week. Should future-scoping remain so narrow, a major opportunity for fundamental rethinking will be lost. This commentary seeks to take up and expand the argument of a 2021 article on the effects of COVID-19 by exploring the wider social implications and the opportunity presented by this existential crisis. Specifically, this critical analysis explores whether COVID-19 and its impacts have created a moment of liminality – a time of “transition during which the normal limits to thought are relaxed, opening the way to novelty and imagination, construction, and destruction” potentially leading to what Victor Turner refers to as communitas in which we can rethink the issues of our time and in which new social structures and understandings can form.

No end in sight: The Climate Domesday Book as an exemplar of discursive and activist design

Purpose/audience: Designed artefacts intended for users and markets serve primarily functional and pragmatic uses, yet there are other forms of designed artefacts whose purpose for being is to present concepts, inspire thought and provoke action. Their existence is not utilitarian but one of speculation. In this article, we draw attention to how materials, technologies and ideas are brought together in speculative forms of editorial design that confront the existential crisis of our times – the climate emergency. In doing so, we aim to catalyse future work on hybrid print-digital books and design for activism. Methodology/approach: Through a critical reflection of the process of designing, developing and publicly exhibiting an interactive book-of-the-future centred on a contemporary environmental issue, we interrogate the design of multimodal, polyvocal artefacts and their place in public and academic discourse. We briefly explain the origins and motivations of the project to create The Climate Domesday Book, analyse the design and production process and critically review both the physical book design and the digital texts within (films, poetry, art, performances and writing). Findings: Manifest as a printed-digital speculative artefact, The Climate Domesday Book is a diegetic prototype of the book-of-the-future, a knowledge-building artefact through graphesis and a discursive design that stimulates thought and action. Temporally and conceptually, it shifts its mode of existence from an ambiguous project towards a generative design and – eventually – a design for activism. The collaborative design of discursive artefacts can play a part in shaping public understanding and discourse on critical issues. Such artefacts facilitate new social connections, provoke individual action and serve as catalysts for social and technological innovation. Implications for practice, society or research: Functionalist or utilitarian forms of design – products, processes, services and built environments – are prevalent in everyday life, yet these do little to advance our thinking about possible, desirable or alternative futures. By contrast, multimodal, polyvocal activist designs afford designers and users/readers/publics the opportunity to interrogate contemporary (and persistent) issues of human concern in imaginative ways and provoke positive action in response. Originality/value: Our ‘book-of-the-future’ draws attention to the possibility of hybrid print-digital publications as lean-back/stand-back and lean-forward/step-forward discursive and activist devices in either public or private spaces, as alternatives to agonistic street demonstration or direct action and as exemplars of aesthetic, activist energy humanities.

Article: Agenda Setting and Decision Making under the OECD/G20 IF and the WTO – Developing Countries and Reform

This article is the outcome of the call for papers on the topic ‘Democratic Legitimacy Of Decision Making Process in Tax’ The OECD/G20 IF and the WTO have increasingly been subject to calls for reform in recent years. Imbalanced power asymmetries in agenda setting and deficiencies in decision making mechanisms have contributed to the existential crisis under the WTO and to legitimacy challenges under the international tax rulemaking body by developing countries. This article examines similarities and differences in structural and procedural legal frameworks and political considerations that facilitate the rulemaking processes and compares the lessons that have been learned. The article finds that both institutions have [historically] fallen short of incorporate agenda items of interest aligned to national needs in developing countries, resulting in gradually declining perceptions of legitimacy and exclusionary processes dominated by closed groups of developed countries. As a result, developing countries under the WTO have used decision-making processes to ‘opt-out’ as an exercise of country preferences thereby resulting in gridlocks caused by the exclusionary nature of the agenda. The informal fluid structure of the OECD/G20 IF has facilitated critical global breakthroughs in Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) related issues, its exigent nature, however, has conversely resulted in challenges. These have been charachterized by opaque arbitrary procedures on the acceptance and rejection of proposals creates input-legitimacy concerns; timelines that impinge on democratic consultative processes; and the absence of alternative approaches to ‘opt-out’, limiting policy options for developing countries. The article further finds that special and differential treatment (S&DT) provides developing countries with much needed policy discretion to address international trade and tax related issues of interest. This may potentially counteract agenda-setting and decision-making deficiencies in both institutions and offset pre-existing onerous commitments imposed by the single-undertaking principle and BEPS minimum standards. S&DT is not without its challenges and controversies, though deficiencies in the relevancy of measures, lack of enforceability, and disagreements over eligibility highlight current weaknesses. The article explores a number of reforms and proposals. Inclusive-Framework, WTO, agenda-setting, decision-making, rulemaking, S&DT, preferential-treatment, developing, UN, consensus.

Polaryzacja: polemika z artykułem „Fanatyzm jako problem wychowawczy”

The criticism of the article “Fanaticism as an Educational Problem” focuses on the selective treatment of fanaticism symptoms, ignoring the role of political polarization and age in analysing this phenomenon. Gałkowski and Gałkowski’s article (2023) presents a valuable proposal for a minimal educational program, but it requires considering a broader social, cultural, and individual context in diagnosing fanaticism and applying effective tools to counteract this phenomenon. The starting point of the debate is the observation that fanaticism remains a negatively perceived label that excludes individuals or social groups, hence the need for clarification on how cultural diversity and intercultural communication can contribute to it. Fanaticism is associated with an existential crisis, but there are also specific developmental phenomena in children that can be mistaken for fanaticism. Literary works can help in understanding this phenomenon. The proposed examples indicate that fanaticism is primarily a group phenomenon characterized by action rather than solely an attitude to the truth. In preventing and dismantling fanaticism, it is important to consider emotions related to uncertainty and develop skills to cope with it. Finding effective alternatives to psychoactive substances in emotional regulation and violence prevention poses a challenge. Fanaticism can be present in the inertia of customs and can be recognized by sensitive young people in society’s reactions to demands for social change. The situation of individuals expelled at the Polish-Belarusian border highlights the difference between uncompromising commitment and fanaticism. Human rights should be respected without exceptions, and the willingness to accept external judgment distinguishes activists from fanatics. Building relationships free from fanaticism in communities, especially in the case of refugees, requires considering the atmosphere and pedagogy of the place, which play a crucial role in combating fanaticism.

Environmentally driven migration in EU discourse: norms, policies and realities.

For decades, the European Union (EU) has been addressing issues related to climate change and ecological degradation as a self-proclaimed pro-environmental and human rights-oriented actor. Correspondingly, the topic of the so-called environmentally driven migration entered the EU discourse at the dawn of the new millennium. Considering the EU's interest in the human rights and environmental/climate issue areas, I argue it is important to ask what the Union's approach to this matter has been. Thus, this article assesses the European Union discourse related to the topic of environmental migration over the past 20-year period. Through the theoretical lens of the Copenhagen School of Security Studies and the normative power EU conception, this paper critically analyses the EU's securitisation of climate change in relation to persons referred to as environmental migrants. Based on a qualitative discourse analysis, the preliminary results imply that the topic has been receding into the background of the EU agenda. In line, environmental migrants have been pushed aside by a multiplicity of other subjects threatened by climate change, thus receiving lesser attention in the EU climate change and migration management policies. Overall, the findings show a shift from an alarmist discourse to more pragmatism on the EU's behalf and a larger focus on adaptation and resilience in most affected areas. With this in mind, this article questions the normative standard the EU sets for itself when it comes to the case of environmental migrant protection.

Fashioning the Self: Reinvention as Depicted in Jennifer Down's "Bodies of Light"

A recent study has identified the key factors that contribute to the themes explored in Jennifer Down's award-winning novel, Bodies of Light. The book has received literary criticism for its portrayal of human bondage, vulnerability, and social distinction, making these themes the primary focus of the study. By delving into the underlying themes and attributions within the novel, this analysis has provided valuable insights into the story. Notably, the study has shed light on the power dynamics between male characters, and the protagonist's struggle with pain, emotional trauma, and poignancy. Furthermore, previous research has highlighted the connections between the novel's exploration of existential crisis and identity.
 Keywords: Human Bondage, Emotional Investment, Vulnerability, Childhood Grief, Emotional Instability.

Rewilding a vanishing taxon – Restoring aquatic ecosystems using amphibians

The increasing rate of biodiversity loss and the number of threatened or endangered species worldwide has accelerated conservation and recovery strategies, emphasising fish, birds, and mammals. This focus has mostly neglected amphibians, which are currently facing the most existential crisis among all vertebrates, with declining populations across most habitats. The factors driving global amphibian declines are diverse, often synergistic, and predominantly anthropogenic. Amphibians urgently require rapid conservation action, and we cannot afford to wait while the most important critical elements required to initiate effective recovery efforts are known. We recommend the rapid (re)introduction of this “forgotten” taxon via the guidelines of trophic rewilding. Amphibian rewilding initiatives may provide early indications of ecological health and better contribute to conservation goals, by simultaneously protecting highly endangered species, and promoting ecological stability in these species ecosystems.

Bioethics-CSR Divide

Bioethics-CSR Divide

Репрезентация личности и трансформация культурного пространства в век постмодерна

<p>The article considers some current trends in the transformation of human personality and socio-cultural space in the postmodern context. In the author's opinion, the most important changes that determine the shape of postmodern society and culture include, firstly, the loss of certainty inherent in the process of the symbolic communication, secondly, the fragmentation of cultural space, which includes very heterogeneous and often inconsistent components, and, thirdly, the crisis of human personality representation. The above trends are core in terms of the general characterization of those crisis phenomena that affect the state of postmodern culture. The paper concludes that the most important means of overcoming the existential crisis is to restore the lost integrity of human personality on the basis of a new (or revived) metanarrative, which, in turn, will ensure the coherence of cultural space in the new historical situation.</p>