Existentialism

“Existentialism is a Humanism” is based on a lecture that Sartre gave in Paris on Monday, October 29, 1945. This short exposition is the perfect student’s guide to existential thought in philosophy. For Sartre, existentialism is primarily defined by the idea that “existence precedes essence (22).” At the start of his lecture, he discusses how objects are manufactured with a pre-determined purpose or “essence” in mind thus, their essence precedes their existence. He states that many people’s conceptions of God is like that of an artesian, producing man with an inherent essence. Sartre claims the reverse is true for humans, first they are created and then determine their essence through their actions. “We mean that man first exists: he materializes…

The First Existential Hero? What is existentialism? Existentialism is a philosophical theory that accentuates the belief of existence. To be more specific, the idea of being absolutely free, there is no such thing as fate, no predestination, no gods, no god to control our lives, nothing to determine our paths or shapes our destiny. The individual is the only person to choose their own paths, how the individual lives and shapes their own life and give a meaning to their own existence. This…

arises when discussing the immoral things that this one man did to humanity and that is was Hitler born with the mindset that he had to kill off all those innocent people or was he 100 percent in control of choosing his destiny? This brings up a very controversial issue as many believe that man has the freedom to do what he pleases and to define himself by his own choices, while others believe that man is born with a set purpose in life and cannot stray away from that. This question is…

Existentialism is the philosophical notion that existence precedes essence. We are born first and then decide what meaning our lives will have. Existentialism maintains, that our choices determine our nature and that there is no predisposition of what each human is born to do. Humans, according to existentialist beliefs, are condemned to be free. With freedom comes consequences. Since humans are free to make their own decisions, we are each responsible for our own consequences. Letting others…

Actions Speak Louder than Soliloquies: Existentialism in Hamlet In the 1600s, existentialism did not yet exist in name, but the ideas behind the movement were circulating during William Shakespeare’s time. Existentialism as we define it now focuses on “existence before essence,” the idea that humans exist and then write their own narratives, not the other way around (Crowell). One of the most influential leaders of the existentialist movement was Jean-Paul Sartre; his lecture “Existentialism is…

It provides extensive biographical information about many of the leading figures in western cultural history - individuals the author believed owed their profound success and influence to the advantages of being an “Outsider” in society. More than that, however, it was an examination of the philosophy known as “Existentialism”. In this treatment, Existentialism is not so much a philosophy or ideology as a psychological attitude - almost a post-trumatic stress syndrome brought on by ordinary,…

themselves wanting more. Some believe that believing in a higher power may help seal the void, however, many philosophers argue that people can only achieve happiness if they accept that life has no true purpose. One philosophical system that is studied by many philosophers if called existentialism. Existentialism focuses on the existence of free will and the development of the self through a person’s actions. In addition, existentialism focuses on the consequences of one’s actions. Another…

The Strange Character of Meursault In what perhaps is Albert Camus’s most notable work, The Stranger, the main character Meursault can be considered as a vessel for the philosophy of existentialism, an idea prominent in the time period in which the novel was written. Though at first glance Meursault may come off as a simple, uncaring man, as the story progresses, the reader is able to see Meursault as a complex and intriguing person. While in the beginning of the book Meursault is…

Existentialism is define as a philosophical theory or approach that emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a free and responsible agent determining their own development through acts of the will. It is the view that humans define their own meaning in life, and try to make rational decisions despite existing in an irrational universe. It focuses on the question of human existence, and the feeling that there is no purpose or explanation at the core of existence. It holds that, as…

When describing his “first principle” of existentialism, Sartre describes that man is nothing beyond what he chooses to make of himself. This can easily be connected to Emerson’s theories of individualism and nonconformity. Emerson stresses that one should follow their free will and make choices based on what their own minds tell them to do, not on what society expects them to do. Sartre’s emphasis on free will and subjectivity align with Emerson’s theories that one should act int terms of what…