Existentialism offers a framework for understanding the human condition and creating personal meaning in a seemingly absurd world, while Hedonistic Sustainability focuses on integrating sustainability with pleasurable experiences and promoting long-term well-being. The choice between them depends on whether one prioritizes individual freedom and authenticity in the face of existential angst or seeks to find joy and fulfillment in environmentally and socially responsible living.
| Attribute | Existentialism | Hedonistic Sustainability |
|---|---|---|
| Core tenets and principles | Existence precedes essence; Emphasis on individual freedom and responsibility; Importance of subjective experience; Authenticity; Absurdity; Personal Growth; Phenomenology | Sustainability can and should be pleasurable; integrates sustainability with fun aspects; products should bring pleasure through immediate physical comfort and long-term mental assurance; businesses should create goods that function as an indulgence, are durable, and preserve more than they consume through a sustainable supply chain; embracing simplicity, reducing waste, valuing experiences over material possessions, cultivating community, and preserving natural environments. |
| Emphasis on individual freedom and responsibility | Humans are self-conscious and exist for themselves, making them free and responsible for who they are and what they do; Individuals shape their own identity through choices and actions; Humans are not born with a predefined purpose, but are free to create meaning through their actions; Freedom and responsibility go hand in hand; Individuals are responsible for creating purpose or meaning in their own lives. | Designing cities and buildings so people can live how they want without altering their lifestyle to have a better conscience; promotes personal growth and self-awareness. |
| Views on the meaning of life and existence | Life has no inherent meaning; individuals create their own meaning through choices, actions, and experiences; Humans create their own values and determine a meaning to their life through their own consciousness; The world is fundamentally meaningless; Individuals must confront the absurdity of life and decide how to live in a way that is authentic and meaningful; Humans are born into a world indifferent to their needs and must create their own meaning and values; Individuals define themselves through the choices and actions of their lived experience. | Human behavior is driven by maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain; pleasure is the ultimate good, a guiding principle, and a moral foundation; finding joy and fulfillment in ways that are not detrimental to the environment or society. |
| Approach to dealing with anxiety and uncertainty | Existentialists recognize the inherent absurdity of life, which can lead to existential anxiety or 'angst'; Anxiety arises from the conflict between humans' search for meaning and the universe's indifference; Awareness of death and the finite nature of human existence is central to existentialist thought; Recognizing mortality should inspire individuals to live with purpose and intensity; Reflecting on one's own mortality to appreciate the present moment; Embrace uncertainty and ambiguity. | Encourages a conscious attitude towards pleasure-seeking and cultivating happiness; emphasizes living in the present, cultivating self-awareness, and pursuing activities that bring joy and fulfillment. |
| Ethical and moral frameworks | Rejects moral absolutes; Morality is personal and subjective; A moral life involves acknowledging and owning up to freedom; Individuals must create their own moral values and principles; Authenticity means living in accordance with one's true self; To act in bad faith is to deny freedom and responsibility. | Challenges traditional notions of pleasure and happiness to redefine a fulfilling life; moral principles include a commitment to sustainability, recognizing the interconnectedness of human and non-human well-being, focusing on experiential pleasure, and emphasizing personal growth. |
| Relationship with societal norms and values | Critical of conforming to societal norms; Living authentically involves staying true to one's own values and beliefs; Challenges individuals to take responsibility for their own lives and choices; Individuals must create their own moral framework. | Challenges the idea that sustainability requires sacrifice and a lower quality of life; integrates sustainability with playfulness to improve human life. |
| Focus on personal experience and subjectivity | Emphasizes the individual's personal experience, freedom, and choice; Truth and reality are shaped by individual perspectives and experiences; Subjectivity is crucial as it allows individuals to assert their agency; Each person's perspective on the world is unique. | Emphasizes the importance of personal experience and how design can accommodate the way humans want to live; sustainability should be pleasurable. |
| Practical applications in daily life | Accept responsibility for your choices; Embrace freedom and choice; Seek out new experiences; Find your own purpose; Practice self-acceptance; Reflect on your own mortality; Living authentically by making your own choices for which you alone accept total responsibility. | In architecture, translates to designing spaces that promote well-being and nurture the relationship between individuals and their environment; can be applied to choices like opting for eco-friendly jeans or cycling in the city. |
| Impact on decision-making processes | Freedom has a profound impact on individual decision-making; Individuals must weigh the pros and cons of different options; Encourages individuals to take responsibility for their own lives and the choices they make. | Encourages individuals to consider the long-term effects of their choices on the environment and society; promotes a shift from material consumption to experiential pleasure. |
| Consideration of environmental impact and sustainability | Not available | Businesses should produce goods that "preserve more than they consume"; aims to unite the "before, during, and after" of a product's life cycle; promotes sustainable design and clean technology that can have energizing social benefits. |
| Views on pleasure and happiness | Authenticity cannot be achieved simply by renouncing temporal pleasures; The subjective truth of the individual is higher than the universal truths of morality; Individuals should define success for themselves. | Values and enjoys pleasure, understood as a harmonious link between the mind and desires; alternative hedonism redefines pleasure to align with sustainable living and ethics. |
| Long-term vs. short-term focus | Encourages individuals to reflect on their own mortality; Emphasizes the importance of time and encourages individuals to value their choices. | Considers both immediate physical comfort and long-term mental assurance; shifts the focus from instant gratification to long-term fulfillment. |
| Price | Not available | Not available |
| Ratings | Not available | Not available |
| Pros | Understanding the human condition and promoting personal growth amid life's complexities., Emphasis on individual freedom and responsibility., Encourages personal growth and self-discovery., Promoting authenticity, Encourages individuals to take control and be true to themselves. | Integrates sustainability with pleasurable experiences, Promotes personal growth and self-awareness, Encourages long-term thinking about environmental and social impact, Challenges traditional notions of pleasure and happiness, Focuses on experiential pleasure over material possessions, Applies to various aspects of life, including architecture and personal choices |
| Cons | Focus on individualism and the lack of clear moral guidelines, which critics argue can lead to moral relativism. | Cost implications of sustainable materials and design techniques can be a barrier |