Jean Paul Satre simply stated what seems to be the most complex problem when he said "
GK Chesterton is famous for his quotability. The ability to produce memorable one-liners shows great wit - the ability to produce memorable one-liners that read coherently as a memorable book shows greater wit, intelligence and understanding that I don't quite comprehend.
The basic philosophical problem is this: the fact that something – rather than nothing – exists." While this post is not intended to answer that question (whew...), it is intended to briefly consider what GK Chersterton thought about this "something" that Satre referenced.
Two of Chersterton's one-liners are below. He seems to take Satre's thought one step further when he said:
“All men matter. You matter. I matter. It’s the hardest thing in theology to believe.”
The Times magazine ran an essay invitation to popular essiasts asking the question "What's Wrong with the World?", to which Chesterton's sharpened wit answered:
"Dear Sirs, I am. Sincerely Yours, GK Chesterton."
Jean Paul Satre pinpoints a simple agreeable truth that "something" exists. GK Chersterton takes that "something" to a metaphysical statement by adding that this "something" actually matters. Then, the rather pious Chesterton responds to The Times question with the simple answer "I am." It seems that not only does "something" exist but that this "something" matters so much that how we live our lives can have either an adverse or advantageous outcome on this world. As these two great thinkers collide, it seems that something matters. The question of "Why?" may be the most important question we can consider.
