Existence theory: Outline for a theory of social behaviour

Abstract

This article introduces ‘existence theory’ as a new approach to sociological theory and research. Existence theory starts from the assumption that people organise their lives around a limited set of existential milestones. Cultural expectations are such that without the accomplishment of those milestones, individuals may experience their lives as incomplete. Examples of milestones can include the attainment of formal education, a lasting partnership and the creation of a family, but in general the milestones which are important to individuals and their precise articulation will depend on a variety of cultural and structural factors. The achievement of existential milestones often depends on that of other existential milestones, thereby producing what we call an ‘existential ladder’. The article also elaborates on the significance of ‘existential urgency’ in that, due to a variety of factors (some biological, some cultural and structural), there are time limits on when certain existential milestones ought to be achieved by. In contemporary society, we note that individuals seem to have more choice about which milestones are important to them and when they can be achieved, although we emphasise that this flexibility is unevenly distributed. This then provides a steppingstone towards an elaboration of the power dynamics and inequalities underlying both the experience and the achievement of existential milestones. Finally, this paper shows how existence theory helps to reflect on a variety of social phenomena of contemporary significance: populism in politics, forced migration, and the coronavirus pandemic.

Livspolitik och existentiell mening i ett alternativsamhälle på landsbygden

“…Det dåtida Uddebo -ett gemensamt narrativ när existentiell mening och livspolitiska handlingar ska formas behövs ofta en kulturell fond, en tolkningshorisont, som den enskildes berättelse placeras inom (Baert, Morgan & Ushiyama 2021). I vårt fall betyder det att de intervjuade placerar sin vilja att leva och verka i Uddebo i en berättelse om platsen.…”

“…Inom existenssociologi förespråkas ofta en analys där riktningen i människors livsbanor analyseras över tid (Flisbäck 2014. Jfr Jackson 2005Baert, Morgan & Ushiyama 2021). En grundtanke inom den tidiga existenssociologin är att människan alltid är på väg mot något (Douglas & Johnson 2010[1977).…”

Exploring the Root Causes of Inequality and Gender Issues in Current China Based on Existence Theory

“…When it comes to Existence Theory [2], it starts from the assumption that people organize their lives around a limited set of existential milestones. The theory explains that there are certain existential milestones that help formulate and define individual development.…”

Existence theory revisited: A reply to our critics

“…. is in large part an effect of the relative power and resources available to that actor” (Baert et al, 2021).…”