EXISTENTIALISM

 Existentialism is a philosophical movement that developed in Continental Europe in the late 1800s and 1900s. The movement was called Existentialism because its philosophers, writers, etc., are primarily concerned with the nature of existence. The root of the philosophy can be found in Soren Kierkegaard (Danish) and Friedrich Nietzsche (German).

Traditionally, philosophy in Europe was considered a science. Therefore, philosophers like Immanuel Kant, Hegel, etc., tried to establish ‘principles of knowledge’ i.e., universal truths.

According to Existentialists there is no universal truth, no ‘ideal’ and no absolute knowledge. Every individual, scientist, researcher, etc., has a limited time. He/she can only find out so much in his/her lifespan. All decisions therefore are based on this limited knowledge. Therefore, there can be no ‘correct’ decision or ‘ideal way’. Every individual must decide what is right and wrong because society cannot provide one standard, correct way. Every society therefore prescribes different advice based on its different standards. Therefore, the individual has to choose which to accept and reject.

Thus, human choice is subjective because each individual has to make his/her own decisions – this means that humans are completely free – but freedom also means complete responsibility for the choices and actions one takes. Accepting this responsibility is difficult and hence freedom is not without its perils. Hence, existentialists say that humans are ‘condemned to be free’.

This freedom and responsibility often leads to anxiety and hence individuals deny their freedom and blame circumstances for their action – this is self-deception. But to live meaningfully, an individual has to be aware of the nature of our existence (freedom) and accept it.

According to existentialists, self-discovery is best learnt/achieved through the study of the most extreme forms of human experience. Hence, topics like death, difficulty of maintaining and forming relationships, futility of life, etc., are recurring themes.

Existentialists consciously involve themselves in social and political issues because of their belief in freedom of choice and responsibility for one’s choices. They also believe religion to be another example of individual exercising their choices.