Eksistentsialismis

Eksistentsialismis, also known as existentialism, is a philosophical movement that centers on human existence, freedom, and the meaning individuals create through their choices. It holds that there is no predetermined essence shaping a person; instead, existence comes first and meaning is constructed through deliberate acts of will, commitment, and responsibility. This leads to an emphasis on authenticity—living in accordance with one’s true self—and on facing personal freedom, anxiety, and mortality without illusion.

The movement has deep roots in 19th-century thought, notably in the work of Søren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche, and reached its mature form in the 20th century with thinkers such as Martin Heidegger, Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Albert Camus. While there are differences among them, a common thread is the focus on subjective experience, the seriousness of human choice, and the critique of systems that claim to define meaning for individuals.

Key ideas include that existence precedes essence, meaning is not given but created through choice, and individuals bear responsibility for shaping their values and projects. Concepts such as authenticity, bad faith (self-deception about one’s freedom), anxiety (angst) in the face of unlimited possibility, and the absurd (the conflict between seeking meaning and an indifferent universe) are central. Existentialism also explores how freedom interacts with social relationships and political responsibility.

Impact and reception: existentialist thought has influenced literature, theology, psychology, and the arts, and contributed to debates about freedom, ethics, and human dignity. It has faced criticism for stressing individualism and for various internal disagreements among its proponents.