Related Terms • Kierkegaard • essence

Definition:
The term existentialism was first used after World War II by the French philosopher Gabriel Marcel, but it is generally agreed that the Danish theologian and philosopher Soren Kierkegaard is the first person for whose system of thought the word properly applies.

Existential philosophy is more a trend or attitude than it is coherent school or movement because it is intensely subjective. As a result, existentialist thinkers tend to vary greatly in their concerns and ultimate conclusions. In general, existentialism emphasizes the uniqueness and isolation of individual experience in a hostile or indifferent universe while denying any special or unique essence that humans might have. Human existence is considered ultimately unexplainable, but existentialism also stresses freedom of choice and responsibility for the consequences of one's acts.

Jean-Paul Sartre's famous comment "existence precedes essence" helps explain this aspect of existentialism. What he meant by this phrase is that humans have no fixed, unchanging essence which makes them human. Instead, your essence - what makes you you - is created by your existence. Your existence, in turn, is determined by your choices. Thus, the responsibility for who you are lies with you.

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Related Resources:

What is Metaphysics?
In Western philosophy, metaphysics has become the study of the fundamental nature of all reality - what is it, why is it, and how are we to understand it. Some only regard metaphysics as the study of "higher" reality or the "invisible" nature behind everything, but that isn't actually true. It is, instead, the study of all of reality, visible and invisible.

What is Philosophy?
What is philosophy? Is there any point in studying philosophy, or is it a useless subject? What are the different branches of philosophy - what's the difference between aestheitcs and ethics? What's the difference between metaphysics and epistemology?