A hypothesis

[xiphias]

The consumption of rich foods is correlated with severe existential angst.

If this is true, it would explain why so many of the best existentialist and nihilistic philosophers were French.

Observations? Comments? Personal experiences? Stories?

Comments

[ailsaek]

Huh. For me, the consumption of rich food, so long as I eat slowly and stop when I am comfortably full, is strongly corelated with feelings of mellowness and intense wellbeing. I find it almost impossible to be angstridden or depressed when I am well-fed.

[delerium69]

Mmm, but there's Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger. But I believe they rejected the label (or predated it). But my experience with philosophy is dodgy; I'm better with filmmakers and writers.

[rebmommy]

Interesting theory - I don't know if it has any validity, but I do know that when I eat incredibly rich foods I get an incredibly bad stomach ache which makes me question my existence.

[felis_sidus]

Well... It depends upon how you define "rich". Foods high in fat tend to raise the serotonin level, which normally should increase feelings of satisfaction. Foods high in sugar, however, tend to provide a boost of energy for a couple of hours, followed by a fall in blood sugar to levels lower than you started out with. This can result in the "sugar high" followed in short order by the "sugar blues".

[copperpoint]

I always thought consumption of rich foods was correlated to having a nice nap.