existentialist philosophy

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Definition

Noun: * A 20th-century philosophical movement, primarily in Europe, that emphasizes individual existence, freedom, and choice. It asserts that humans are not defined by a predetermined essence but are radically free and therefore entirely responsible for creating their own meaning and values through their actions and decisions in a world that is often perceived as absurd or without inherent purpose.

Usage
  • Existentialist philosophy is used as a singular noun phrase to refer to the entire movement or school of thought.
  • It is often discussed in contrast to essentialist or rationalist traditions.
  • It can be analyzed in terms of its core themes, such as anxiety, authenticity, despair, and the confrontation with nothingness.
Examples
  • The novels of Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus are deeply influenced by existentialist philosophy.
  • A central tenet of existentialist philosophy is that "existence precedes essence."
  • She wrote her thesis on the concept of freedom in existentialist philosophy.
Advanced Usage
  • Existentialist philosophy is frequently applied to literary and artistic criticism to analyze works that focus on themes of alienation, individual struggle, and the search for meaning.
  • In psychology, concepts from existentialist philosophy inform existential therapy, which focuses on issues like freedom, responsibility, and the anxiety of being.
Variants and Related Words
  • Existentialism (n): The more common term for the same philosophical movement. ( and are often used interchangeably, though the latter can sound slightly more formal or descriptive.)
  • Existentialist (n/adj): (As a noun) A thinker or writer who adheres to this philosophy. (As an adjective) Relating to this philosophy.
  • Existential (adj): Pertaining to existence, especially human existence. This is a broader term.
Synonyms
  • Existentialism: The direct synonym.
  • Philosophy of existence: A descriptive synonym.
Related Phrases and Concepts
  • "Existence precedes essence": The foundational slogan of existentialist philosophy, meaning a person's existence and concrete actions come first and define their character, rather than being born with a fixed nature.
  • "Bad faith" (mauvaise foi): An existentialist concept, notably from Sartre, describing the self-deception where one denies their own freedom and responsibility by adopting roles or values imposed by society.
  • "The Absurd": A concept, central to Camus, describing the conflict between the human desire for meaning and the silent, indifferent universe.
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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