Final answer:
The understanding of our existence intertwines the philosophical inquiries of consciousness, identity, and essence of being, posing that awareness of self distinguishes humans from other entities and raises questions about the continuity and reality of the 'self.'
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding our existence is a philosophical inquiry that engages with concepts of consciousness, identity, and the essence of being. Existentialists propose that we can be certain of our own existence and our consciousness, distinguishing humans from entities without awareness or freedom. The question of why consciousness exists and how it develops is deeply intertwined with our understanding of the self, leading to the hard problem of consciousness, which ponders the awareness of being aware.
Our physical identities are perpetually changing, with cells regenerating and replacing, casting doubt on whether we remain the same being throughout our lives. This phenomenon challenges our concept of a continuous self over time, suggesting that the 'self' could be comparable to an ever-evolving process rather than a static entity.
Moral theorists and cosmological arguments bring another perspective, engaging with the idea of a divine being or God as the foundational cause of our existence. These arguments suggest that the very nature of God or objective values can be known through reason, independent of experience. Throughout these philosophical discussions, our relentless pursuit of truth and understanding drives the exploration of both our internal constitution and the broader universe.