## Core Tenet: Existence Precedes Essence Existentialism is a philosophical movement that emphasizes individual existence, freedom, and choice. A central proposition is that **existence precedes essence**. This means that individuals are not born with a pre-defined purpose, nature, or "essence" given to them by a god, biology, or any other external force. Instead, humans first exist—they are born into the world—and then, through their consciousness, their actions, and their choices, they define who they are and what their lives mean. There is no absolute meaning of life. It is the [[responsibility]] of all individuals to define their own meaning of life through their actions. ## Key Themes in Existentialism 1. **Freedom and Responsibility:** - If there is no preordained essence, then humans are radically free. This freedom is not necessarily joyous; it can be a source of anxiety. - With this absolute freedom comes profound [[responsibility]]. We are responsible for all our choices and actions, and through these, we create not only our own essence but also project an image of humanity as we believe it ought to be. Jean-Paul Sartre famously stated, "Man is condemned to be free." 2. **Anguish (or Angst):** - The realization of total freedom and responsibility, the awareness of the lack of an ultimate, external justification for our choices, can lead to a sense of anguish or dread. This isn't necessarily a negative state to be avoided, but rather a fundamental part of the human condition when confronting our freedom. 3. **Absurdity:** - Many existentialists grapple with the concept of the absurd – the conflict between humanity's desire to find inherent meaning and purpose in life and the apparent meaninglessness, irrationality, and silence of the universe. The world does not provide us with answers to our deepest questions about meaning. 4. **Authenticity and Bad Faith (Mauvaise Foi):** - **Authenticity** involves recognizing and accepting our freedom, taking responsibility for our choices, and living in accordance with the self we are creating. It means facing the human condition without self-deception. - **Bad Faith** (a concept particularly developed by Sartre) is a form of self-deception where individuals flee from their freedom and responsibility. This can manifest by pretending to be an object (denying one's freedom of choice, e.g., "I had no choice") or by conforming to societal roles and expectations without genuine personal endorsement, thus denying one's true self. 5. **The Individual (Subjectivity):** - Existentialism places strong emphasis on individual subjective experience. Truth and meaning are to be found through inner, personal experience rather than purely objective, external standards. "Truth is subjectivity," as Søren Kierkegaard put it. 6. **Choice and Commitment:** - Life is a series of choices. By making choices and committing to them, we define ourselves. Even not choosing is a choice. 7. **Alienation and Estrangement:** - Individuals can feel alienated from themselves, from others, from society, or from the world, especially when confronting the lack of inherent meaning or when living inauthentically. ## Creating Meaning Despite the lack of preordained meaning, existentialism is not necessarily nihilistic (the belief that life is without objective meaning, purpose, or intrinsic value). Instead, it places the burden and the opportunity squarely on the individual. - **Meaning is Created, Not Discovered:** We must actively engage with the world and, through our projects, passions, relationships, and commitments, forge our own values and purpose. - **Actions Define Meaning:** As your note states, it is "through their actions" that individuals define their meaning. Our choices and what we _do_ are paramount. ## Existentialism as a Call to Action Ultimately, existentialism is a challenging but potentially empowering philosophy. It calls on us to courageously confront the realities of our existence, embrace our freedom, take full responsibility for our lives, and actively create meaning in a world that offers none ready-made.