Introduction
Existentialism is a philosophical movement that emphasizes individual existence, freedom, and choice. It focuses on the unique experiences of the human person and the struggle to find meaning in a world that can seem absurd or indifferent. Key thinkers include Jean-Paul Sartre, Martin Heidegger, and Søren Kierkegaard.
Existentialist View of the Human Being
Existentialism sees the human being as a free and responsible agent who creates their own identity through choices and actions. Unlike traditional philosophies that define human nature in fixed terms, existentialism argues that “existence precedes essence” — we are not born with a set nature; we define ourselves over time.
Core Themes:
- Freedom and Responsibility: Humans are radically free, and with that freedom comes responsibility for one’s actions.
- Authenticity: True living requires being honest with oneself and living according to one’s chosen values, not conforming to society.
- Anxiety and Alienation: Facing freedom and the absence of fixed meaning leads to existential anxiety or anguish.
- Individual Experience: Each person’s life is unique and must be lived from a first-person perspective.
Is Existentialism Successful in Defining the Human Being?
Existentialism offers a powerful way to understand human life as a process of becoming. It shifts focus from fixed definitions to lived experience and freedom. In doing so, it highlights important aspects of human existence, such as:
- The struggle for meaning
- The reality of choice and its consequences
- The need for authenticity in a world full of social roles and expectations
Strengths:
- Emphasizes human dignity and freedom.
- Recognizes the complexity and emotional depth of human life.
- Challenges rigid, abstract definitions of the self.
Criticisms:
- Too focused on individualism, sometimes neglecting social and relational aspects of life.
- Can lead to nihilism or despair if no meaning is found.
- Hard to apply practically in everyday life.
Conclusion
Existentialism successfully redefines the human being as a dynamic, free, and self-creating agent. While it may not provide fixed answers, it offers a deep and realistic understanding of the challenges and possibilities of human existence. It reminds us that meaning is not given but must be created through conscious living.