Was serving god our purpose, or do we possess a different objective. Existentialists felt that the purpose of life was in the eye of the beholder. One's path is chosen by oneself, and not decided by god or one's religion.
Human being has access to freedom that is gained by decision, and there is abundant evidence to show that this sometimes occurs. The existentialists go farther than this. According to them, decision is no accident added on to something stable already existent. It lies rather at the very center of man, from where it determines the basic texture of his existence. .
(Wild 117).
As shown by Wild, the purpose of life is always one with the person who holds the opportunity. The life one chooses to pursue is unique to each and every person.
While existentialism focuses on discovering man's individual purpose, materialism has a more direct proposition: physical well-being and worldly possessions constitute the greatest good and highest value in life. The more one owns or possesses, the happier one is. The American culture is greatly influenced by materialism. Fast cars, big houses, fashionable clothing, and high paying jobs are the motivation behind most of the citizens who live in America. .
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Chase after money and security.
And your heart will never unclench.
Care about people's approval.
And you will be their prisoner.
Do your work, then step back.
The only path to serenity.
-Lao Tzu.
(Kasser 1).
Lao Tzu describes materialism as something to fear. One who is caught up in materialism is not only cheating themselves, but those around him, an extremely different view than that of our Western culture, which values anything that has a dollar worth. .
The materialist believes that happiness is directly related to our possessions because we are beings who find happiness by satisfying our appetites. Should having high social status, a job that pays well, expensive possessions, and financial security be something frowned upon to look to attain? This is what we value in our Western existence and if it is the way to find happiness, then why not look to achieve those goals.
