# Re: Is Existentialism an obsolete philosophy? ...Similarity to religion? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 23, 2010, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-is-existentialism-an-obsolete-philosophy-similarity-to-religion/544237 "2010-06-23T14:04:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Showing post:** 234
**Author:** ![Naxos](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/50afbb/32.png) [@Naxos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Naxos)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2011, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-is-existentialism-an-obsolete-philosophy-similarity-to-religion/544237/234 "2011-02-04T00:30:25Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > Ummm, no. In fact, Existentialism is _all about_ what you do when you realise that you’re _not_ the centre of the Universe, and make meaning for yourself. That’s not ego-driven in the slightest. It is, in fact, the completely opposite. Terms like “meaning” are self-centered and ego-driven, and they are also well within a theistic point of view, therefore false and invalid by definition. > [@](#): > > And there’s nothing “trivial” about emotional gratification, unless you’re a Vulcan :dubious: How we, as social animals, manage to find ways to live, both with ourselves and together, is _very much_ “of importance” Emotional gratification, otherwise known as an attempt to regulate the level of certain brain neurotransmitters, are biological byproducts. They can be enjoyed or avoided on a personal level, but they have nothing to do with the discovery of the laws of Nature. --- _[View the full topic](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/re-is-existentialism-an-obsolete-philosophy-similarity-to-religion/544237)._