The concept of wide-awakeness is rooted in existentialism. Broadly understood, existential philosophy is about examining experience to better understand the human condition. Broadly understood, existentialism grew out of Europe in the 19th and 20th century, and represented a movement away from technical philosophy toward experiential philosophy. Existentialist thinkers were influenced by the World Wars, artistic movements of the time, and European cultural forces that questioned life from a contextualized perspective informed by God (or lack there of), a sense of being, and a search for an authentic life in which our life’s actions are aligned with our commitments.

Several definitions of wide-awakeness have been offered to help us understand the nuances of the concept. Alfred Schutz explains wide-awakeness as, “a plane of consciousness of highest tension originating in an attitude of full attention to life and its requirements.” Camus states, “one day the ‘why’ arises … at the end of acts of a mechanical life, but at the same time inaugurates the impulse of consciousness.” In talking about wide-awakeness in schools, Maxine Greene reflects, “The challenge is to make the ground palpable and visible to our students, to make possible the interplay of multiple voices, of ‘not quite commensurable visions.’ … And yes it is to work for responsiveness to principles of equality, and principles of freedom, which can still be named within the contexts of caring and concern.”

What are 5 things to know about wide-awakeness and existentialism?

1. Doing Philosophy

The existential heart beats with the pulse of doing philosophy. Doing Philosophy is asking questions of our selves and others, clarifying our intentions, acting on our commitments and values, and finding meaning in our everyday lives. The search for authenticity is the heart of doing philosophy. It is how we live and breathe. It is how we understand cruelty and horror. It is how we mark the hours of our days. In doing philosophy, we are wide-awake.

2. Stiltedness

Wide-awakeness occurs within situatedness. Situatedness means our lives happen within a context of meaning. Our history plays into that context. Our culture plays into that context. Our language plays into that context. Our bodies play into that context. Our sexuality plays into that context. Our spirituality plays into that context. Our politics plays into that context. Our story plays into that context. Our morality plays into that context. Existentialists claim that our freedoms are all situated capacities.

3. Authenticity

Wide-awakeness is an authentic pursuit. Within an existential frame, life can not be understood without considering how we interact with others. Individuals impact communities. Communities impact individuals. Wide-awakeness involves reaching out, participating in conversation, creating something with which the world can interact, and listening and talking to one another.

4. Possibility

We are more when we are wide-awake. Possibility is the feeling of moving forward toward something, grabbing life, engaging existence, building agency, and creating capacity. This is related to the existential idea that we are not yet what will become. We are constantly in the process of doing and becoming, of learning and growing, of looking inward and reaching out.

5. Questions

Wide-awakeness is about asking questions, challenging absolutes, exploring ambiguity, critiquing facts, and examining truth. The existentialist revels in the journey, not the destination. The existentialist is not driven by finding an answer, but rather by being knee deep in the mud of the question. To an existentialist, answers are suspect. Answers quell curiosity and limit our thinking. Answers are comfort in uncomfortable times, and comfort is not the point. Questions are where we build and discover. Questions are where we grow and thrive. Questions are active engagement with life.