Dag O. Hessen | Mennesket og Naturen, Hvordan Fylle Livet Med Mening, Høyverdig Fritid, Filosofen Zappfe, Døden og Nihilisme, Forbrukssamfunnet, Eksistensialisme

In 'The Last Messiah,' Zapffe argues that human existence is marked by an overabundance of consciousness, leading to existential angst and despair. He views humanity as a 'biological paradox, an abomination, an absurdity, an exaggeration of disastrous nature' due to its overly evolved intellect. Zapffe proposes four main mechanisms humans use to cope with this existential terror: isolation, anchoring, distraction, and sublimation. The essay is a cornerstone of philosophical pessimism and has influenced other thinkers, including horror writer Thomas Ligotti.