Here are some key existentialist ideas that it can be speculated influenced Volker Bourne and his his phrase “I Do Create, Therefore I Am”:
Existence Precedes Essence
A central tenet of existentialism is that existence precedes essence – individuals are not born with a predetermined nature or purpose, but rather create their own essence through the choices and actions they take in life[1][4].
Bourne seems to echo this idea by emphasizing the primacy of creation in defining one’s being.
Freedom and Responsibility
Existentialists like Sartre argued that humans are “condemned to be free” – we are fundamentally responsible for our choices and actions, even in seemingly uncontrollable situations[4].
Bourne’s phrase suggests that it is through the exercise of this radical freedom, particularly in the creative act, that we come to define ourselves.
Authenticity
Authenticity, or embracing one’s freedom and taking responsibility for one’s choices, is a key virtue in existentialist thought[1][4].
Bourne’s emphasis on creation as a means of self-definition aligns with this notion of authenticity – by actively shaping our lives and the world around us, we live more authentic, meaningful existences.
The Absurd
Many existentialists grappled with the notion of the absurd – the conflict between humans’ innate desire for meaning and the universe’s apparent indifference[4].
Bourne’s phrase could be seen as a defiant response to this absurdity – by creating, we forge our own meaning and purpose in the face of an indifferent cosmos.
Final Thoughts (for now)
Bourne’s phrase seems to encapsulate several core existentialist ideas – the primacy of existence over essence, radical freedom and responsibility, authenticity, and the human capacity for self-creation in the face of absurdity.
By elevating the creative act as the means by which we come to be, Bourne aligns himself with the existentialist tradition while offering a unique perspective on the nature of human existence.