Existentialism

Prepared by Polina Redchenko

What is Existentialism?

Existentialism - is a philosophical
movement that emerged in the 20th
century, particularly in the aftermath
of World War II, and continues to
in uence various elds of thought,
including philosophy, literature,
psychology, and ethics.
fl
fi
Key existentialist themes

1. Existence precedes essence:

• Humans de ne their essence
through choices and actions, contrary
to predetermined purposes.

2. Freedom and Responsibility:

• Emphasis on individual freedom to
make choices and the inherent
responsibility that comes with it.
fi
Jean-Paul Sarte Albert Camus

TWO MOST FAMOUS

EXISTENTIALISTS
 Concepts of Bad Faiths

• De nition: Bad faith refers to self-

deception or denying one's
freedom by conforming to societal
norms without questioning.

• Example: A person following a

career path they dislike due to
societal expectations, neglecting
personal freedom.
fi
Anxiety and authenticity

• Anxiety as a fundamental aspect of

human existence: the anguish of
facing limitless possibilities and the
responsibility that comes with choice.

• Authenticity: Encouraging
individuals to live in accordance with
their own values, rather than
conforming to societal expectations.
 Absurdity
• Absurdity, in the existentialist
context, refers to the con ict
between the human desire for
meaning and the apparent
meaninglessness of the world.

• Camus, an in uential existentialist

philosopher and writer, introduced
the idea of the absurd in his
philosophical essay "The Myth of
Sisyphus."
fl
fl
Criticisms and challenges

• Accusations of pessimism: Critics

argue that existentialism’s focus on
life’s absurdity and meaninglessness
is overly negative.

• Lack of universal principles:

Existentialism’s emphasis on
individual experience can be seen as
neglecting broader social concerns.