One Beat More - Existentialism and the Gift of Mortality

Kevin Aho, a philosophy professor who suffered a heart attack, found new meaning and comfort in existentialism, which asks us to face the frailty of our existence and live with a sense of urgency and gratitude toward its manifold beauties. This view of life can help us appreciate what truly matters in our fleeting, precious lives.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 176 pages
Publication date: 25 March 2022
Publisher: Polity Press

A passionate athlete in his late forties, philosophy professor Kevin Aho had not given much thought to his own mortality until he suffered a sudden heart attack that left him fighting for his life. Confronted with death for the first time, he realized that the things he thought gave his life meaning, such as his independence or his ability to plan his own future, were in tatters. Aho turned to those thinkers who have reflected deeply on the meaning of life and the anxiety of living when every heartbeat might be your last: the existentialists. Armed with insights from the likes of Kierkegaard, Heidegger, Nietzsche, and de Beauvoir, he found new meaning and comfort in a view of life that strives for authenticity and accepts aging and death as part of what makes life worthwhile.

Existentialism asks us to face the frailty of our existence and to live with a sense of urgency and gratitude toward its manifold beauties. It is only then that we can be released from patterns of self-deception and begin to appreciate what truly matters in our fleeting, precious lives.

Kevin Aho's journey toward existentialism was not an easy one. He struggled with the fear of death and the uncertainty of life. But through his study of the existentialists, he found a sense of purpose and meaning that he had never experienced before. He realized that life was not about achieving certain goals or fulfilling certain expectations, but about living authentically and embracing the present moment.

One of the key insights of existentialism is that life is inherently uncertain and that we cannot control everything that happens to us. This can be a source of anxiety and fear, but it can also be a source of freedom and creativity. Existentialism encourages us to accept our limitations and to find meaning in the choices we make, even when those choices are difficult or painful.

Another important aspect of existentialism is the idea of authenticity. Existentialists believe that we must be true to ourselves and our values, even if that means going against the norms of society or challenging our own beliefs. Authenticity is a way of living that is grounded in self-awareness and self-reflection, and it is a way of finding meaning and purpose in our lives.

In addition to the insights of the existentialists, Kevin Aho also found comfort in the idea of accepting aging and death as part of what makes life worthwhile. He realized that life is a fleeting and precious gift, and that we should not waste it by worrying about the future or dwelling on our past mistakes. Instead, we should focus on living in the present moment and enjoying the beauty of life.

Kevin Aho's journey toward existentialism has been a transformative one. He has found new meaning and purpose in his life, and he has learned to live with a sense of urgency and gratitude toward the manifold beauties of life. Existentialism has taught him that life is not about achieving certain goals or fulfilling certain expectations, but about living authentically and embracing the uncertainty and complexity of the human experience.

In conclusion, existentialism is a philosophy that encourages us to face the frailty of our existence and to live with a sense of urgency and gratitude toward the manifold beauties of life. It is a philosophy that can provide new meaning and comfort to those who are struggling with the anxiety of living and the uncertainty of death. Whether you are a passionate athlete, a philosophy professor, or someone else entirely, I encourage you to explore the insights of the existentialists and find new meaning and purpose in your own life.

Weight: 252g
Dimension: 215 x 136 x 19 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781509546909