Existential Anxiety and the Courage to Be

Abstract

This thesis proposes that anxiety should be seen as a doorway to profounder human nature rather than a pathology to be cured, it is important to embody our courage to confront the anxiety and transcend from within. By looking at the Western existentialists, the existential question is raised regarding the latent and yet absolute existential anxiety in our lives. As Western existentialists have certain answers in their framework, the thesis also provides a fresh perspective combined with some Buddhists’ thoughts to present that the courage to be is a deep acceptance to the threats of non-being and our creative possibilities as human beings.