existential

/,egzis'tenʃəl/

Thân thiện

An existential question about life's purpose can arise during a quiet moment of reflection.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to existence: Concerned with the nature of being, especially human existence, its meaning, and its conditions.
   • Derived from experience: Based on or involving direct, lived experience rather than abstract theory.
   • In logic, affirming existence: In formal logic, pertaining to a proposition that asserts the existence of something.

Usage

• As an adjective modifying a noun:
  • The philosopher explored existential questions about life and death.
  • She faced an existential crisis after losing her job.
  • The debate moved from theoretical to existential concerns.

Examples

• Relating to human existence:

  • The novel delves into the protagonist's existential dread.
  • Art can be a response to existential loneliness.

• Derived from experience:

  • His argument was based on existential knowledge gained through travel.
  • The therapy focuses on the client's existential reality.

• In logic:

  • An existential quantifier (symbol: ∃) asserts that there is at least one instance.

Advanced Usage

• Existentialism: A philosophical movement emphasizing individual existence, freedom, and choice. (Note: This is a related philosophical term, not a direct usage of the adjective 'existential').

  • The themes of the play are deeply influenced by existentialism.

• Existential threat: A danger that threatens the very existence of an entity.

  • Climate change is often described as an existential threat to some island nations.

Variants and Related Words

• Existentially (adverb): In an existential manner.

  • He questioned his purpose existentially.

• Existentialist (noun/adjective): A follower of existentialism; relating to existentialism.

  • She is an existentialist writer. (Note: This is a distinct term from the adjective 'existential').

Synonyms

• Ontological: Relating to the branch of metaphysics dealing with the nature of being.
• Experiential: Involving or based on experience.

Antonyms

• Essential: Of the utmost importance; fundamental. (In philosophy, often contrasted with 'existential' as 'essence' vs. 'existence').
• Theoretical: Concerned with or involving the theory of a subject rather than its practical application.

Học thuật

Adjective

1. relating to or dealing with existence (especially with human existence)
2. of or as conceived by existentialism
   • an existential moment of choice
3. derived from experience or the experience of existence
   • the rich experiential content of the teachings of the older philosophers- Benjamin Farrington
   • formal logicians are not concerned with existential matters- John Dewey

Từ đồng nghĩa

• experiential