What is Existentialism?
Existentialism is a philosophical movement holding that individuals create their own meaning and essence through free choices, rather than having a predetermined purpose. It emerged strongly in 19th–20th century Europe.
Existentialism is the philosophy that existence precedes essence — humans are first thrown into existence and must freely define their own meaning, values, and identity through action.
- •A thing's purpose/nature is fixed before it exists
- •Example: a knife is designed to cut before it's made
- •Meaning is given from outside (God, nature, design)
- •Associated with classical/religious traditions
- •Existence comes first; essence is created afterward
- •Humans are 'thrown' into the world with no fixed nature
- •Meaning is created through free choice and action
- •Associated with Sartre, Kierkegaard, Camus, de Beauvoir
Step-by-step worked examples
Sartre says 'existence precedes essence.' What does this mean for a human being compared to a manufactured object like a paper-knife?
A paper-knife is designed with a purpose (essence) before it's manufactured (existence) — its function comes first. Sartre argues humans have no such blueprint: we simply exist first, without a predetermined nature or purpose. Therefore, each person must define their own essence — who they are — through the choices and actions they make after existing.
A person conforms entirely to social expectations, never questioning their own choices, and later feels their life wasn't truly 'theirs.' Which existentialist concept explains this?
Existentialists call this 'bad faith' (Sartre) or inauthenticity — denying one's own freedom by hiding behind roles, norms, or excuses. By simply following the crowd, the person avoids the anxiety of free choice but also avoids genuinely authoring their own life. Authentic existence requires consciously owning one's choices and taking responsibility for them, even without external justification.
Camus describes life as 'absurd' — the conflict between humans seeking meaning and a universe that offers none. How does he say we should respond, using the myth of Sisyphus?
Sisyphus is condemned to endlessly push a boulder uphill only for it to roll back down — a symbol of a meaningless, repetitive existence. Camus argues we should neither escape into false hope (religious answers) nor give up (suicide), but instead accept the absurd. He concludes 'one must imagine Sisyphus happy' — finding meaning in the struggle and choice itself, not in an external, fixed purpose.
Flashcards
Quick quiz
Q1.Sartre's phrase 'existence precedes essence' means:
Q2.'Bad faith' in existentialism refers to:
Q3.Who wrote about the 'myth of Sisyphus' and the absurd?
Q4.Existentialism is most concerned with:
The full card deck, worked steps and AI-tutor support for “What is Existentialism?” are in Notek — study by hand before your exam.
Common mistakes
Existentialism says life has no meaning at all. — Correct: It says life has no built-in meaning, but individuals can freely create their own meaning.
Existentialism is just about feeling sad or nihilistic. — Correct: Anxiety and absurdity are starting points, but the movement emphasizes taking responsibility and acting authentically.
Existentialists believe humans have a fixed nature. — Correct: They argue humans have no fixed nature — 'existence precedes essence' means we define ourselves through choices.
Bad faith just means lying to someone else. — Correct: Bad faith is self-deception — denying your own freedom, not deceiving another person.
FAQ
What is existentialism?
A philosophy holding that individuals exist first, without a fixed purpose, and create their own meaning through free choices.
What is the key idea (or 'formula') of existentialism?
'Existence precedes essence' — Sartre's summary that humans define themselves through action, not a preset nature.
What are examples of existentialist thinkers?
Jean-Paul Sartre, Søren Kierkegaard, Albert Camus, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Simone de Beauvoir.
How is existentialism relevant today?
It shapes modern ideas about authenticity, personal responsibility, and finding meaning in a secular, uncertain world.