Existentialism

Definition

Existentialism is a philosophical movement that emphasizes individual existence, freedom, and choice. It focuses on the idea that individuals create their own meaning and purpose in a world that may seem indifferent or absurd. This movement emerged as a response to the scientific developments and intellectual trends of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, challenging traditional notions of rationality and exploring the complexities of human experience.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Existentialism gained prominence after World War II but has roots in earlier philosophers like Søren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche, who questioned traditional moral values.
2. Key figures of existentialism include Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Martin Heidegger, who each contributed unique perspectives on existence, freedom, and responsibility.
3. Existentialists argue that individuals must confront the 'existential crisis'—the realization that life lacks inherent meaning—and respond by creating their own values.
4. The movement influenced various fields, including literature, psychology, and theology, reflecting its broad impact on culture and thought during this period.
5. Existentialism often critiques modern society's reliance on rationality and scientific progress, positing that these approaches can neglect the complexities of human emotion and experience.

Review Questions

• How did existentialism challenge traditional philosophical ideas in light of scientific advancements during its emergence?
  • Existentialism challenged traditional philosophical ideas by asserting that human existence precedes essence, meaning individuals are not defined by pre-existing concepts or societal norms. This was a departure from Enlightenment thinking that relied heavily on reason and objective truth. Instead, existentialists like Sartre argued that in a world increasingly explained by science, people face an existential crisis, confronting the absurdity of life without intrinsic meaning and the necessity to forge their own identities.
• Discuss the impact of key existentialist thinkers on the intellectual landscape of Europe between 1890 and 1945.
  • Key existentialist thinkers such as Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir reshaped the intellectual landscape by introducing concepts like freedom, choice, and authenticity. Their works encouraged individuals to embrace personal responsibility in a world where traditional values were questioned. This shift influenced not only philosophy but also literature and art movements, helping shape post-war thought as Europe grappled with the consequences of conflict and seeking new ways to understand human existence.
• Evaluate how existentialism's focus on individual experience reflects broader cultural shifts in Europe during the early 20th century.
  • Existentialism's focus on individual experience mirrors broader cultural shifts towards questioning authority and traditional beliefs following two devastating world wars. The chaos of this period led many to search for personal meaning amid uncertainty. Existentialists emphasized subjective experience as central to understanding humanity, reflecting a cultural turn toward introspection and authenticity as people sought to navigate a rapidly changing world marked by disillusionment with rationalism and established institutions.

Related terms

Absurdism: A philosophy that highlights the conflict between human tendencies to seek inherent meaning in life and the silent, indifferent universe, often associated with the works of Albert Camus.

Phenomenology: A philosophical approach that emphasizes the study of conscious experience from the first-person perspective, influencing existentialist thought through its focus on subjective experience.

Authenticity: The quality of being true to one's own personality, spirit, or character, often emphasized in existentialist philosophy as a way to achieve meaning and fulfillment.