Instructions: Please Define the Following Key Terms

Question

Examlex · Accepted Answer

The Answer is Existentialism is a philosophical movement that emphasizes individual existence, freedom, and choice. It is the view that humans define their own meaning in life, and try to make rational decisions despite existing in an irrational universe.

Who?
The term "existentialism" is often associated with several 19th and 20th-century philosophers who, despite profound doctrinal differences, shared the belief that philosophical thinking begins with the human subject—not merely the thinking subject, but the acting, feeling, living human individual. Among the most famous existentialist philosophers are Søren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Albert Camus.

What?
Existentialism proposes that individuals are free and responsible for their own actions, which they must choose without the help of universal or objective standards. Existentialists believe that our values are determined by the context of our lives and that we are thrown into existence first without a predetermined nature and must construct our own essence through our actions.

Where?
Existentialism is a philosophy that originated primarily in Europe. Its development is often attributed to the works of Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard and German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. It later gained significant traction in France in the mid-20th century, particularly through the works of Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Albert Camus.

When?
While existentialist thought has precursors dating back to the writings of Kierkegaard in the early 19th century, it became especially prominent in the mid-20th century following the Second World War, a time when Europe was rebuilding and questioning the foundations of existence and morality.

Why Important?
Existentialism is important because it deals with the fundamental questions of human existence. It challenges individuals to confront the void and to seek meaning in a universe that does not inherently possess it. This philosophy has influenced various fields, including theology, drama, art, literature, and psychology. It encourages personal authenticity, responsibility, and free will, which are crucial concepts in modern thought. Existentialism also addresses the angst and despair that can arise when confronting the absurdity of life, thereby resonating with a wide range of human experiences and emotions.

Instructions: Please Define the Following Key Terms

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