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What is existentialism?

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Quick answer

Existentialism is a philosophical movement that says life has no preset meaning, so each person must create their own through free choices and personal responsibility. It stresses individual freedom, authenticity, and the anxiety that comes from facing a universe without built-in purpose.

Existentialism is a philosophical movement holding that life has no built-in meaning, so each person must create their own through free choice and how they live. It emphasizes individual freedom, responsibility, and authenticity in a universe that offers no ready-made purpose.

Step by step

  1. You are born into the world without a predetermined purpose or fixed nature.
  2. You become aware of your freedom and the absence of any built-in meaning.
  3. This awareness brings anxiety, because you alone must decide how to live.
  4. You make choices, and each choice defines who you are and what you value.
  5. Taking responsibility for those choices leads to an authentic existence.

Key things to understand

  1. Core idea: 'existence precedes essence' — you exist first, then define who you are through choices.
  2. It stresses radical freedom and the responsibility that comes with it.
  3. Key thinkers include Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, with Kierkegaard as a forerunner.
  4. 'Authenticity' means living by your own values rather than blindly following convention.
  5. It often explores anxiety, absurdity, and how we cope with a universe lacking preset meaning.

Labelled diagram

  1. Existence

    You are born without a fixed essence or purpose.

  2. Freedom

    You realize you are free to choose who to become.

  3. Anxiety

    This freedom brings dread because no guidebook exists.

  4. Choice

    You make decisions that define your values and identity.

  5. Responsibility

    You own the consequences, living authentically or in bad faith.

How existentialism works

Real-world examples

  • A student who rejects a lucrative career pushed by family to pursue art chooses her own meaning.
  • After a painful breakup, someone realizes no rulebook exists for moving on and must decide how to rebuild.
  • A soldier ordered to commit an atrocity faces the existential moment of refusing or obeying.
  • Someone diagnosed with a terminal illness confronts mortality and chooses how to spend remaining time.

Common mistake

✗ Myth: Existentialism is just a gloomy philosophy that says life is meaningless.

✓ Fact: Existentialism acknowledges that life has no built-in meaning, but it insists that you can create your own meaning through choices and actions. Many existentialists see this as liberating, not depressing.

People also ask

What is existentialism in simple terms?
Existentialism is the idea that life has no preset meaning, so you must create your own through free choices. It emphasizes individual freedom, responsibility, and authenticity. You are not born with a fixed purpose; you define yourself by how you live. This can feel scary but also empowering, because you are the author of your own life.
Who founded existentialism?
Existentialism does not have a single founder. Søren Kierkegaard, a 19th-century Danish philosopher, is often considered a forerunner. In the 20th century, Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir became its most famous proponents. Other key figures include Friedrich Nietzsche, Martin Heidegger, and Albert Camus, though some rejected the label.
What is an example of existentialism in everyday life?
Choosing a career path you love despite pressure to pursue something more practical is an existentialist act. You are creating your own meaning rather than following external expectations. Another example is deciding how to respond after a personal failure, taking responsibility and redefining your direction. These moments show freedom and the weight of choice.
What does 'existence precedes essence' mean?
That humans aren't born with a fixed purpose or nature; we first exist, then create our essence — who we are — through the choices we make and the lives we lead.
Is existentialism depressing?
It confronts hard ideas like meaninglessness and death, but many find it empowering: if life has no preset meaning, you're free to create your own and live authentically.
How is existentialism different from nihilism?
Nihilism says life has no meaning and often stops there; existentialism agrees there's no built-in meaning but urges you to create your own through how you choose to live.