Existentialists in the Television Show Spongebob Squarepants

Children across the world enjoy the television show Spongebob for its loveable characters and humor. The most prominent of these characters is Spongebob Squarepants, a personified sponge who lives in a pineapple under the sea, in a town called Bikini Bottom. He spends the majority of his time working as a chef at the Krusty Krab, a fast food restaurant run by a greedy crab named Mr. Krabs. Spongebob’s neighbor and co-worker, Squidward Tentacles, has a very cynical view of life, constantly complaining about Spongebob and praising the clarinet and other arts. Across from Spongebob lives his best friend, Patrick Star, a starfish known for little intelligence and extensive sleeping. Most episodes, he and Spongebob act on a new idea which leads to various consequences. Sandy Cheeks, a squirrel from Texas, sometimes joins Spongebob and Patrick in their adventures. While the show is marketed to children, it has many qualities suitable for teenagers and adults including occasional sophisticated humor and philosophical references. Two philosophies referenced in the show are Epicureanism and Existentialism. Epicurean beliefs are shown through Sandy and Mr. Krabs, while Squidward and Patrick showcase Existentialism.

Sandy and Mr. Krabs exemplify Epicurean characteristics. Epicureans believe that pleasure is the greatest good, though one should make balanced decisions about one’s indulgences. Sandy finds the greatest pleasure in exercise and activity such as sand boarding, martial arts, and jelly fishing. In the episode “Pre-Hibernation Week,” she drags Spongebob with her to do all of her favorite activities in an excited and giddy manner (“Pre-Hibernation Week”). Mr. Krabs also holds pleasure in a very high regard. He buys a crane machine ...

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... and Patrick counter them with Existentialist characteristics. Though the philosophies at first seem to oppose each other, for one provides for a happy life, while the other is known for one of depression, they actually have similar ideas. The Epicurean belief in pleasure as the greatest good correlates with the Existentialist search for meaning, for once one finds meaning, one will have essentially found the greatest pleasure. However, the two differ in that Epicureans avoid pain, but Existentialists accept it as a part of life in traits such as anxiety, alienation, and general depression. In a world of continued focus on conformity and disregard for creative thought, these philosophical themes in a children’s show make an immense pact. They send the message that one can not live simply under the sea; one must break the surface with intelligent ideas and thoughts.