Existentialism and the Baby Boomers

Existentialism for Beginners has been a core component of Brent Green, author of Marketing to Leading-Edge Baby Boomers, proposal to bring business possibilities revolving around the male Baby Boomers. Existentialism is the philosophical belief that philosophical thinking begins with the human subject; not merely the thinking subject, but the acting, feeling, living human individual. “It's a philosophy for today as all Americans struggle to discover how to redefine and reinvent themselves in a time of much economic uncertainty and global unrest, a time when traditional institutions seem to be faltering.”

Green, in a Huffington Post blog, argues that with Boomer men recognizing the end of their primary careers and future uncertainties, the need for an existentialist outlook is paramount to avoid falling between the cracks. “Many are now considering how to avoid becoming standardized aging humans.” 

With Baby Boomers now well into their 50’s and 60’s many understand their fundamental values and establish how those particular values can be best conveyed for personal development and sharing its benefits with others. Green says “According to researchers, humans seem to find great happiness early in adulthood and then again late in life, beyond 50 and 60. Between those bookends looms a mid-life slump when we feel least happy with our situation.”

Green also suggests that this particular generation of men known to challenge authority confronts this stage of life, “actions can emerge.” The generation of men that have acknowledged feminism and racial diversity can create a new image that follows the beliefs of existentialism.  As the great writers of existentialism would insist, Boomer men must overcome all forces absorbing them to become standardized old men.