Existentialism centers on the search for meaning and the human experience. It posits that there is no intrinsic purpose in life beyond what each individual self-defines through choices made amidst uncertainty. Like an artist facing a blank canvas, we are responsible for each "brush stroke" of our lives, constructing meaning through our actions.
In other words, existentialism holds that through a combination of self-awareness, free will, and personal responsibility, individuals can create their own meaning within a world that offers none innately. Søren Kierkegaard, often called the "father of existentialism," focused his work on the individual's subjective experience, emphasizing the importance of personal choice and freedom. He argued that meaning in life must be self-created and that this process requires acknowledging the inherent anxiety and uncertainty that accompany choice.
A popular analogy illustrates existentialist thought: a man must choose between staying home to care for his sick mother or going to war for his country. This choice highlights the core themes of existentialism—personal responsibility, freedom, and the anguish of making decisions in a world without absolute moral guidelines. This situation exemplifies a fundamental existentialist idea: individuals must create their own meaning and values when facing choices that lack clear resolutions. Whether the man chooses to honor his family by staying home or to serve his country, neither option is inherently "right" or "wrong." Each reveals his personal values and the identity he chooses to embrace.
Jean-Paul Sartre, another key existentialist thinker, introduced the concept of being "condemned to be free," meaning that with freedom comes the weight of responsibility for our choices. In this scenario, the man cannot attribute his decision to society, tradition, or a higher power; he alone is accountable for the path he chooses.
Existentialism also emphasizes that there are four simultaneous ways of "being in the world": existing in one's subjective self, existing within relationships, existing in the physical environment with other beings, and existing in one's spiritual beliefs about an ideal or moral world. This theory suggests that individuals constantly navigate an inner struggle between freedom and responsibility, driven by a need for meaning, identity, and meaningful relationships.
In existentialism, achieving self-awareness, self-actualization, and authenticity marks the path to becoming one's most authentic self, fostering a deeper, more meaningful relationship with the world.
Bibliography: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/existentialism/
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