esistenziali

Esistenziali is the plural form of the Italian adjective esistenziale, meaning related to existence or existential. In Italian, esistenziali is used to describe questions, problems, or conditions connected with human existence. The term appears in philosophy, psychology, literature, and everyday discourse to refer to concerns about meaning, identity, mortality, and the nature of life.

Etymology and usage notes: Esistenziale derives from esistenza (existence) with the suffix -ale. It is typically used attributively, as in problemi esistenziali or crisi esistenziali. In some contexts, especially in journalistic or literary writing, esistenziali can function as a nominal phrase referring to existential concerns, though this usage is less common and generally relies on the surrounding context for clarity.

Relation to existentialism: Esistenziali is distinct from esistenzialismo, the Italian term for existentialism, the philosophical movement associated with thinkers such as Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Sartre, and Camus. While esistenziali describes aspects related to existence, esistenzialismo denotes the school of thought and its doctrinal positions. The adjective can be used to discuss existential themes without invoking the full framework of existentialist philosophy.

Examples and nuance: Common expressions include crisi esistenziali, domande esistenziali, and dilemmi esistenziali. The word carries a neutral to introspective tone, often signaling personal or social issues rather than technical or doctrinal analysis. Appropriate in academic, journalistic, and literary contexts, esistenziali helps articulate the human dimension of existence in a concise form.