Gabriel Marcel’s way of thinking about existence is different from many of his peers. He mixed ideas of existentialism, which deals with how we exist, with Christian beliefs. While other philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir talked a lot about freedom and personal experiences without including religion, Marcel believed existence involves spiritual aspects of our lives.

1. Understanding Existence:

• Existence vs. Essence: Sartre famously said "existence comes before essence," which means we exist first and then create our essence. Marcel had a different view. He thought that our existence is connected to others and to God. We can’t fully understand ourselves unless we see how we relate to other people and the divine.
• Being vs. Having: Marcel made a key difference between “being” and “having.” Many people today focus more on owning things (having) than on living a genuine life (being). Marcel believed this focus can distract us from what truly matters: our personal relationships and how we live together.

2. The Importance of Faith:

• Unlike other existentialists, Marcel valued faith in his thinking. He believed finding meaning in life is closely linked to having a relationship with God. He argued that truly understanding our lives involves belief and love.
• This is quite different from Sartre and de Beauvoir, who pushed for a version of existentialism that did not include religion. For Marcel, faith is a way to gain deeper insights into existence and offers hope in our broken world.

3. The Role of Relationships:

• Marcel talked a lot about how important our connections with others are. He believed that we define ourselves through our relationships and the communities we belong to. This idea challenges the more isolated views some existentialists hold, emphasizing the value of love, friendship, and support.
• When Marcel mentioned “the Other,” he wasn’t just talking about an abstract idea. He meant real people who deserve our attention and engagement. This perspective fits with Christian values that honor community and the way we depend on one another.

4. Embracing Mystery:

• Unlike some existentialists who were on a quest to find absolute truths, Marcel welcomed the mysteries of life. He thought that recognizing life’s mysteries can help us find hope and appreciate existence more fully.
• This view is very different from Sartre’s often stark perspective, which suggested life has no real meaning unless we create it ourselves.

In short, Gabriel Marcel’s take on existentialism combines existential ideas with Christian beliefs. He focuses on being rather than having, highlights the value of faith and human relationships, and encourages acceptance of life’s mysteries. His way of thinking presents a community-focused understanding of existence, which makes him stand out among other existential thinkers.