Authentic Orange

Submitted by Bailey Wood

You don’t hear the term “Authentic Orange” until you come to Oregon State University. The definition for “authentic” is “not false or copied; genuine; real” (dictionary.com). Therefore, “Authentic Orange” means to be your truest self. Many of us come to college thinking we already live an authentic life and that we have it all figured out, but it’s during this time that we realize we couldn’t be more wrong. There are five themes of existentialism that we all should be aware of because they can greatly help us grow into our genuine selves.

The first theme is that existence precedes essence. (Lecture, 4/14/15). The main idea of this theme is that what you are (your essence/nature) is a result of your choices (your existence/extra-nature). This theme ties into “Authentic Orange” because when you come to college, people don’t know your past; therefore you can have a fresh start. Your essence is not your fate, you are who you make yourself to be. You can use this new start to your benefit – be kind to everyone, be honest, and be who you truly want to be!

The second theme is that existence is temporal. (Lecture, 4/14/15). We are only on this earth for a finite period of time, and throughout our life we choose how it is spent. We can ignore things with distractions, avoid the afterlife with life extension technology, or allow ourselves to experience every event even if we feel fear or anxiety. At some point or another we practice every action whether it’s ignoring, avoiding, or experiencing. Each action we make affects our future decisions, and we either get closer to becoming our true selves, or stray farther away.

The third theme is humanism. (Lecture, 5/7/15). This is an individual focused philosophy including the pursuit of identity/freedom, and the values/meaning in opposition to social, political, and economic pressure for conformity. It seems as though the main reason we are afraid to be our genuine selves is the pressure from society to conform into someone we are not. We are terrified of being divergent from society, so we try to blend in. College is about finding yourself, so instead of trying to blend in, be yourself and stand out! You will surely find other unique individuals that are much more engaging and intriguing to be around than just your average Joe. You’re more likely to find out who you truly are if you surround yourself with these enthralling individuals. “By means of morality, individuals are led to be functions of the herd and to attribute value to themselves merely as functions.” (Nietzsche, The Gay Science, pg. 116). Nietzsche explains the “herd” as a sickness; we are only valuable as part of the herd, and weak as an individual. While there may be a plethora of diverse moralities, we are still a part of a herd, and cannot stand out by ourselves. Society has conformed us to be part of a group, rather than have the confidence to be unique.

The fourth theme is ethics. (Lecture, 5/7/15). Ethical considerations are vital, this includes varying ethics, shared commitment to authentic living as individuals/society, and a commitment to politics. Stay true to your beliefs, don’t let others opinions on a subject change what you truly feel is right. If you allow others to influence your beliefs, you will lose that authenticity. Eventually you could become just another brainwashed college student that doesn’t stand out. If it’s on a topic such as voting in politics, laws, etc., first do the research yourself before you ask others their opinion. This will prevent your beliefs from being swayed one way or the other before you know all the facts.

The fifth theme is freedom. (Lecture, 5/7/15). Philosophy of freedom includes reflection, transcendence, and responsibility. We are free to create and choose our values. Freedom is “self-surpassing”, meaning that there is a part of you who is undefined, and unknown. Throughout life you are always moving forward, trying to find yourself.

College is the most important time in our lives because it is then that we learn more about ourselves and who we truly are. It’s crucial that we take these themes into account when we strive to being “Authentic Orange”!