Relational Existentism — Existence Proven by the Love of Others

This paper extends Kierkegaard’s existentialism by introducing the concept of Relational Existentism, which holds that existence can be affirmed not only through subjective self-awareness and choice, but also through the gaze, love, and recognition of others. This model captures the existential reality of those unable to articulate their own being—such as infants or persons with severe disabilities—by grounding their existence in shared memory, responsibility, and community. Placing existence at the intersection of subjectivity and relationality, it provides a theoretical basis applicable to welfare, healthcare, AI ethics, and political philosophy.