existentialism

/,egzis'tenʃəlizm/
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Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A 20th-century philosophical movement: A school of thought, primarily European, that emphasizes individual existence, freedom, and choice. It posits that humans are not defined by a predetermined essence but are free agents who create their own meaning and values through their actions and decisions, and are thus responsible for the consequences.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • The novels of Jean-Paul Sartre are famous for exploring themes of existentialism.
    • Her feelings of anxiety and freedom were deeply influenced by her study of existentialism.
Advanced Usage
  • "Existentialist" as an adjective: Pertaining to or characteristic of existentialism.
    • He had an existentialist crisis, questioning the purpose of his life.
  • "Existentialist" as a noun: A philosopher or person who advocates or believes in existentialism.
    • Søren Kierkegaard is often considered a precursor to the existentialists.
Variants and Related Words
  • Existential (adj): Relating to existence, especially human existence. Often used to describe profound questions about life, meaning, and isolation.
    • She pondered the existential question of why we are here.
  • Existentialist (n/adj): (See Advanced Usage above).
Synonyms
  • Philosophy of existence: A less common, descriptive synonym.
  • Individualism (in a specific philosophical context): While not a perfect synonym, it shares the focus on the primacy of the individual.
Related Phrases and Concepts
  • "Existence precedes essence": A central slogan of existentialism, meaning a person's existence and concrete life come first; they define their own essence (nature, purpose) through living.
    • The phrase "existence precedes essence" is a cornerstone of Sartrean existentialism.
  • "Angst" or "Existential anxiety": A feeling of deep anxiety or dread stemming from the awareness of one's freedom and the meaninglessness of the universe.
    • The character was paralyzed by existential angst.
  • "Bad faith" (mauvaise foi): A concept from existentialism describing self-deception, where a person denies their own freedom and responsibility by adopting roles or beliefs dictated by society.
    • He argued that following social conventions without question was an act of bad faith.
Noun
  1. (philosophy) a 20th-century philosophical movement chiefly in Europe; assumes that people are entirely free and thus responsible for what they make of themselves

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