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Human history is marked with philosophies and theories that not only make us feel like we are just puppets, but show us time and again how insignificant and petty our existence is compared to the mysteries and phenomena of the universe. These theories also give us an immense existential crisis.

Here are 13 such philosophies and theories that make us question our very existence!

1. Parallel universe theory

This one is a stellar among speculated scientific theories. According to this theory, a multiple number of parallel universes exactly like ours exist, where, obviously, we exist, but perhaps in a different shape or situation. You maybe the Hugh Jackman there, or maybe you have already died!

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2. The big bang theory

As everyone knows, this well accepted theory claims that there was a very big ‘explosion’ and the universe came into being from nothing. Question is, how can a big explosion emerge out of nothing? That’s right, the origin of our very existence itself is flawed!

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3. Theory of relativity

Thanks to Interstellar, everyone knows this one. According to this theory time isn’t absolute and time travel is possible. So if you travel backwards in time, you’ll not only meet yourself, but reach the state where you do not exist yet. Sounds fun, right?

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4. Plato’s ideal world theory

According to the Greek philosopher Plato, our reality, us and everything, including art and culture, is nothing but an imitation of a perfect form that resides in the ideal state. We are just imitations!

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5. Freud’s Oedipus complex theory

The God of modern psychoanalysis, Freud claimed that every man is unconsciously attracted to their mothers, which causes them to envy their fathers. Don’t worry, it’s the same for girls, only they are attracted to their fathers. Much incest in life!

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6. Derrida’s deconstruction theory

In his epic theory, Derrida claimed that though every structure needs a centre to keep it together, since the centre is in charge it’s not in the structure. And that’s where every person and theory lost their mind!

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7. Eternalism

This philosophical theory claims that time has many layers and all the layers exist simultaneously, but their visibility depends on the viewers specific location. So you coexist with dinosaurs, pretty much! Also, according to this theory there’s no unpredictable future or free will.

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8. Solipsism

This theory says that nothing exists but an individual’s consciousness. Our reality is just what out consciousness makes it to be. The biggest example for this theory comes from people who take LSD. They often have very stark realities that other people claim to be their hallucinations!

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9. Schrodinger’s cat

According to quantum physics, a nucleus can exist in a super-imposed state of multiple possibilities where it can both decay and not decay. This is defined by a wave function that collapses when it’s observed. Physicist Schrodinger took a radio-active nucleus and a live cat and put them in a box together. As per the claim, the cat would both live and die depending on whether the nucleus decays or not. Imagine that happening with humans! Massive zombie apocalypse alert!

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10. Phenomenalism

Phenonemalists argue that things only exist if and as they are perceived. Everything around you exists because you perceive it, it ceases to exist the moment you stop paying any heed to it. And so do you, in a similar situation!

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11. Presentism

This philosophy of St. Augustine argues that there’s no past or future the way we divide, but only present exists, because time cannot exist before or after it happened. So basically, your next birthday doesn’t exist!

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12. The brain in a jar theory

Thanks to the Matrix series, everyone is more or less aware of this theory. What if we are nothing but brains in a jar, kept under simulation to think that our reality is indeed our reality, but actually it’s not?

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13. The great glaciation

This is a theory scientists have about the final state where our universe is heading. As per science, the universe has a limited source of energy, and was that source is exhausted, everything will turn into ice. Nice way of ending your legacy, eh?

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“So much for my happy ending”- Avril Lavigne 😉

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