existentialisme

Existentialisme is a philosophical and literary movement that emphasizes human existence, freedom of choice, and personal responsibility. It arose largely in the 19th and 20th centuries and questioned the foundations of meaning in an indifferent world. Its precursors include the Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, who stressed subjective truth and personal faith, and Friedrich Nietzsche, who proclaimed the death of God and challenged inherited values.

In the 20th century, existentialism developed most fully in France, with Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir at its center, alongside Martin Heidegger and Maurice Merleau-Ponty; Albert Camus is often linked, though he rejected the label.

A central claim is that existence precedes essence: there is no predefined human nature or divine plan, so individuals must freely choose and bear responsibility. This leads to authenticity, anxiety from freedom, and ideas of bad faith and contingency; ethics emphasize solidarity and actions that could be universalized.

Existentialism has influenced philosophy, theology, literature, and the arts, and includes atheistic, theistic, and Christian strands. Critics argue it overemphasizes individualism and neglect of social structures; supporters see it as a rigorous examination of freedom under uncertainty.