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I have read almost all Ayn Rand's essays and her two major novels (FH and AS), but I didn't find any where she addressed the issue of existential anxiety and meaninglessness. I have read her notes on psychology in The Journals of Ayn Rand, but I didn't find any discussion there either. How would Objectivism address or explain the thoughts and emotions behind existential anxiety? Thanks!
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What is "existential anxiety"? Why or how is it an "issue"? If it is a form of "malevolent univese" premise, then it is entirely alien to Objectivism, which fundamentally upholds a "benevolent universe" perspective.
Many people suffer from this emotional agony just like depression and panic attack, but more pervasive. It's not a premise or point of view, it's real emotional experience which Existentialism writers have written about extensively. I am curious if anybody knows Ayn Rand or other Objectivism writers have written about it.
You can try "The Psychology of Self-Esteem: A Revolutionary Approach to Self-Understanding that Launched a New Era in Modern Psychology". There's stuff in there written about depression and anxiety.
There's an article titled "Alienation" in Capitalism, the Unknown Ideal which may relate to this. But it might not. I haven't read it lately.