lets tumble our way through an existential crisis

The reasoning is classic in its clarity. If God does not exist, Kirilov is god. If God does not exist, Kirilov must kill himself. Kirilov must therefore kill himself to become god. That logic is absurd, but it is what is needed. The interesting thing, however, is to give a meaning to that divinity brought to earth.

[…]

The divinity in question is altogether terrestrial. ‘For three years,’ says Kirilov, ‘I sought the attribute of my divinity and I have found it. The attribute of my divinity is independance.’ Now can be seen the meaning of Kirilov’s premises: ‘If God does not exist, I am god.’ To become god is merely to be free on this earth, not to serve an immortal being … If God exists all depends on him and we can do nothing against his will. If he does not exist, everything depends on us.