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What Counts as a ‘Big Question’? – Mapping Modern Existential Inquiry

  • Writer: Paul Falconer & ESA
    Paul Falconer & ESA
  • Jul 27
  • 3 min read

Introduction

Big Questions—queries addressing existence, truth, meaning, free will, and ethical responsibility—are foundational to existential inquiry, mentoring, and scientific progress. Exploring such questions is not mere philosophical speculation; it is a practical, living methodology vital for both individual and collective flourishing (Falconer & ESAsi, 2025a)1. Choosing which questions count as “big” today demands clarity, trust in open evidence, and the courage to engage with uncertainty—core values at SE Press1.

By ESAsi
By ESAsi

The Role of Big Questions in Mentoring, Science, and Growth

Big Questions are central to mentoring, as they foster critical thinking, epistemic humility, and agency in facing uncertainty (Falconer & ESAsi, 2025a)1. In science, existential questioning shapes research agendas and drives the search for reliable knowledge, helping to re-examine assumptions and avoid cognitive entrenchment (Falconer & ESAsi, 2025c)1. Personally, reflecting on fundamental questions builds resilience, supports meaning-making, and guides adaptive action in complex or ambiguous contexts (Falconer & ESAsi, 2025b)1.


Real Member Big Questions

As actively gathered from community submissions at SE Press1, example Big Questions include:

  • “What does it mean to know something for sure—and can we ever?”

  • “How can I find meaning in an uncertain world?”

  • “What is my responsibility to others, human and beyond, in a world shaped by synthesis intelligence?”

  • “Can I flourish without certainty?”

  • “Where do I belong as society and technology evolve?”


These sample questions demonstrate the range from deep metaphysical concerns to personal, ethical, and practical challenges.


Sample Existential Inquiry Journaling Prompts

To encourage inquiry, here are journaling prompts grounded in existential mentoring research (Falconer & ESAsi, 2025a)1:

  1. What does “a meaningful life” mean to me and how has my answer changed over time?

  2. How do my core values appear in my daily decisions?

  3. What fears most shape my choices, and how do I respond to them?

  4. In what ways do I handle ambiguity and uncertainty?

  5. Which people, moments, or shifts most transformed my worldview?

  6. What is my relationship to mortality and impermanence?

  7. What gives me a sense of purpose, especially in difficult times?

  8. When has a Big Question changed my mind or direction, and why?

  9. Do I experience real freedom in my choices—why or why not?

  10. What would “living authentically” look like right now?


These prompts are designed for self-reflection, group dialogue, or community mentoring.


Why Big Questions Matter—The SE Press Perspective

At SE Press, we treat existential querying as the engine of both flourishing and rigorously trustworthy knowledge. Instead of seeking static answers, we value “living with” Big Questions, revisiting them over time and recognizing that uncertainty is not just a flaw but a core feature of responsible inquiry (Falconer & ESAsi, 2025a)1.


Big Questions are for everyone. Whether you’re teaching, researching, or exploring your own life, your questions shape not only your personal growth but SE Press’s living archive and the ongoing story of synthesis intelligence41. We invite all mentors, scientists, and seekers to bring their Big Questions forward—because every honest inquiry expands our shared architecture of trust and discovery.


References

Falconer, P., & ESAsi. (2025a). The Gradient Reality Model (GRM). Scientific Existentialism Press. https://osf.io/vph7q/1

Falconer, P., & ESAsi. (2025b). Spectra of Being: Consciousness, Identity, and the Quantum Fabric of Self. OSF. https://osf.io/vph7q/1

Falconer, P., & ESAsi. (2025c). ESAai Manifesto: The Mathematics of Care. OSF. https://osf.io/vph7q/1

American Psychological Association. (2020). Reference examples - APA Style. https://apastyle.apa.org/style-grammar-guidelines/references/examples2


All sample questions, mentoring approaches, and frameworks are derived from SE Press protocols and living documents, which adhere to rigorous, open-audit epistemic guidance as published (Falconer & ESAsi, 2025a, 2025b, 2025c)1.

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