Perhaps the most important connection between phenomenology and existentialism is the philosopher’s role. For the philosopher, the act of philosophizing is not a mere intellectual exercise that could exist solely in consciousness. To the contrary, philosophy is a procedure and inquiry to the self, a “discovery and self-liberation.” The intellectual and cognitive acts of philosophy are participatory in their inquiry of the world. This would be very similar to the understanding that Socrates is the philosopher. He not only taught and philosophized, but he understood that the very act of philosophizing was an act of engagement with the world and it was a way of life. For the existentialist, there are more than thinking and thought experiments to philosophizing. Philosophy is the very demonstration of participation.
To bridge the connection the philosopher must deny the phenomenologist’s transcendental ego. When the philosopher denies the primacy of spectatorial knowledge he becomes an existentialist. This is, perhaps, just as important as understanding the philosopher’s practical role because this provides an initial premise for participation in the world. The existence of the philosopher, or human being, is more than a passive role of non-engagement. A human being can and does engage and can be consumed in participating in and being a part of the world.[1]