Basic signs of existential choice

The problem of choice in existential psychology is central from its very origin. However, today the concept of existential choice is not well-defined. It complicates the opportunity to use theoretical explanatory constructions and methods of psycho-consulting, psychotherapeutic work offered by authors. On the basis of theoretical analysis of works by L. Binswanger, V. Frankl, R. Mey, I. Yalom, S. Maddi, A. Langle, S.L. Rubinshtein, D.A. Leontyev, F.Ye. Vasilyuk, S.L. Bratchenko, and also ideas about the person and mechanisms of its functioning in the theory of psychological systems (E.V. Klochko, O.M. Krasnoryadtseva, V.E. Galazhinsky), we allocated the basic attributes of existential choice. Structurally existential choice is represented as a choice, which is made between possibilities that are not simply capable to satisfy the need here and now (alternativessenses). Namely, they are marked as values significant for the person; setting coordinates of its multivariate world (alternatives-values). Existential choice is a choice between alternatives-values, which a person must make but, at the same time, does not want to. Life-determining role of existential choice for further existence reflects its functional feature. Existential choice entails changes in human life, its multivariate world, reconstructing the system of values and senses, attitudes; the activity of the person and its acts change; new vital events happen. Existential choice is principal, setting new parameters to personal choices. The dynamic feature of existential choice is expressed through the intensity of existential givens: life and death, freedom and responsibility, loneliness, sense and absurdity - it all shows in existential anxiety. Existential choice assumes rejection of one of alternatives-values. It represents small (psychological) death of the possible person, which can phenomenologically be expressed in various experiences: loss, farewell, melancholy, grief, and fault. The person can choose freely which alternative to reject, what is possible to be killed, and what to allow to be born. The person bears responsibility for making a choice in existential loneliness. Thus, all human life and the world around it have not objectively determined sense. It is the person who determines whether he / she can answer the question why I make this choice and what I choose this possibility for. Each time the decision of the person develops in this or that direction of existential givens. The integration of the allocated features allows defining existential choice as a necessary choice in the context of intense existential givens between the life-determining possibilities which the person marks as values and those having the status of alternatives for him / her, it is a choice for the person to make, which he / she does not really want.

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