Abjection: The Scariest Existential Philosophy Theory You've Never Heard Of

Human existence is defined by the tension between our perceived boundaries and the visceral reality of our corporeal, mortal nature. Julia Kristeva’s concept of abjection highlights how encountering the grotesque—such as decay or bodily fluids—destabilizes our sense of self by revealing our inherent vulnerability. This awareness often leads to misanthropy, where the flaws and vices of humanity, as analyzed by thinkers like Thomas Hobbes and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, eclipse our positive traits. Taking this further, antinatalism posits that bringing sentient beings into existence is morally wrong. David Benatar’s asymmetry argument suggests that while the presence of pain is inherently bad, the absence of pleasure is neutral, making non-existence preferable to the inevitable suffering of life. Ultimately, humanity remains caught in the cycle of nature, striving to find meaning and improve conditions despite the inherent absurdity and pain of being.