A very brief history of existentialism — on life, freedom and choice
And how I’m saving myself from MAGA inferno in the next four years.
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For centuries, we’ve asked big questions. What does life mean? What makes us who we are? What’s the purpose of life? Out of all the ways people have tried to answer these questions, existentialism makes a good case for finding meaning. It’s not just philosophy, it’s personal. It has answers for what it means to be human. On choice. Freedom. And the responsibility that comes with it.
French philosopher Gabriel Marcel coined the term “existentialism” in the 1940s, but the ideas go back earlier. Thinkers like Søren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche, and later Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir brought it to life. They were trying to make sense of real struggles—pain, purpose, freedom, and fear. Existentialism matters because it’s about you. it argues that you’re free to choose, but you’re also responsible for those choices. Psychologist Carl Jung once said, “The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” Existentialism is not about what the world expects of you. It’s about what you do with the time and freedom you have. Existentialists asks the difficult questions. Are you being honest with yourself? Are you living in line with what you believe? Or are you avoiding the discomfort of freedom? You don’t need to be a philosopher to get this. You just need to be willing to face the truth of your life.
The roots of existentialism can be traced back to the works of Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard in the mid-19th century. Kierkegaard emphasised the importance of subjective experience, individual choice, and the struggle to find meaning in life. He argued that we must confront the anxiety and despair inherent in existence to achieve authentic selfhood.
“The greatest hazard of all, losing one’s self, can occur very quietly in the world, as if it were nothing at all. No other loss can occur so quietly; any other loss — an arm, a leg, five dollars, a wife, etc. — is sure to be noticed,” Kierkegaard observed. Existentialism gained further prominence in the early 20th century through the writings of philosophers such as Friedrich Nietzsche, Martin Heidegger, and Jean-Paul Sartre. Nietzsche challenged traditional morality and the concept of objective truth, advocating for the “will to power” and the individual’s creation of their own values.
Heidegger delved into the nature of being, exploring the relationship between existence and time. He argued that humans are thrown into existence and must grapple with their finitude, confronting the question of their own mortality.
Existential angst
“If I take death into my life, acknowledge it, and face it squarely, I will free myself from the anxiety of death and the pettiness of life — and only then will I be free to become myself.” — Martin Heidegger
Existentialism peaked in the post-World War II era, reflecting the profound disillusionment and existential angst caused by the war and its aftermath. It influenced various disciplines, including literature, art, psychology, and theology.
Existentialist ideas found expression in literature, with authors like Franz Kafka, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and Albert Camus incorporating existentialist themes in their works. Their writings often depicted characters grappling with existential dilemmas, the absurdity of life, and the search for meaning. Simone de Beauvoir, a prominent existentialist philosopher and writer, expanded the existentialist framework to address issues of gender and feminism.
In her influential work “The Second Sex,” de Beauvoir examined the social and cultural construction of gender roles and argued for women’s liberation from oppressive societal norms.
Existentialist philosophy has also had a significant impact on psychology and psychotherapy. Existential psychotherapy, influenced by thinkers like Rollo May, Viktor Frankl, and Irvin D. Yalom, focuses on exploring existential concerns, such as freedom, responsibility, and the search for meaning, in therapeutic contexts.
“Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms — to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way,” Viktor Frankl said. Existentialist themes in many writings are often characterised by the exploration of alienation, anxiety, authenticity, freedom, and the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world.
Existentialist thinkers continue to inspire and influence philosophical discourse and remain relevant in contemporary discussions surrounding human existence and the nature of consciousness.
Existence precedes essence
We do not know what we want and yet we are responsible for what we are — that is the fact. — Jean-Paul Sartre
Jean-Paul Sartre popularised existentialism and made it a significant movement in the mid-20th century.
In his seminal work “Being and Nothingness,” Sartre explored the concept of “existence precedes essence,” asserting that people are fundamentally free and responsible for creating their own meaning and purpose in life.
He famously coined the phrase “existence precedes essence” to emphasise that human beings exist first and then define themselves through their actions and choices.
“What is meant here by saying that existence precedes essence? It means first of all, man exists, turns up, appears on the scene, and, only afterwards, defines himself. If man, as the existentialist conceives him, is indefinable, it is because at first he is nothing. Only afterward will he be something, and he himself will have made what he will be,” explains Sartre.
We are not born with a predetermined purpose or meaning in life. We are free to create our own essence through our choices and actions.
Freedom as a right to life
Existentialism means that no one else can take a bath for you. — Delmore Schwartz
At its core, existentialism places the individual at the centre of philosophical inquiry. It stresses subjective experience, personal freedom, and the responsibility to shape one’s own life. It rejects the notion of predetermined fate or universal moral laws. Existentialism invites us to confront the inherent uncertainties and anxieties of existence, urging us to explore the boundaries of our freedom and the potential consequences of our choices.
“Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does,” says French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre.
Existentialism also sheds light on the concept of personal authenticity. It emphasises the importance of individual self-reflection and self-awareness, encouraging us to live authentically according to our values and beliefs. It’s a school of thought that champions the notion that each person can shape their destiny and find meaning in an otherwise chaotic and unpredictable world.
Existentialism asserts that you must take full ownership of your choices and recognise the consequences that arise from them. It encourages us to confront our fears, uncertainties, and anxieties head-on as we navigate the complexities of existence.
The absurdity of life is not an end in itself
“There will always be rocks in the road ahead of us. They will be stumbling blocks or stepping stones; it all depends on how you use them. — Friedrich Nietzsche
Another key aspect of existentialism is its recognition of the inherent absurdity and existential angst of human life. Existentialists acknowledge that human existence is fraught with suffering, paradoxes and contradictions.
Albert Camus, a French philosopher, novelist, and playwright, developed the concept of absurdism within existentialism.
“Basically, at the very bottom of life, which seduces us all, there is only absurdity, and more absurdity. And maybe that’s what gives us our joy for living, because the only thing that can defeat absurdity is lucidity,” says Camus.
He argued that the human desire for meaning and rationality clashes with the inherently chaotic and indifferent nature of the universe. Camus’s philosophy of absurdism centers around the notion that human existence is fundamentally characterised by a conflict between the human desire for meaning and purpose and the inherent meaninglessness and irrationality of the universe.
According to Camus, human beings constantly search for meaning in life but are confronted with a world that is ultimately indifferent and absurd.
He observed that we are conscious beings in an unconscious universe, burdened by the knowledge of our mortality and the limits of our knowledge. The awareness of our existential predicament can lead to feelings of anxiety and a sense of meaninglessness. However, existentialists argue that within this absurdity lies the potential for us to create our own meaning and purpose through our choices, actions, and authentic engagement with the world.
“He who has a why to live can bear almost any how,” says Friedrich Nietzsche. He also argued that we must confront the absurdity of existence and create our own meaning in the face of an indifferent universe.
In summary, existentialism continues to inspire and influence philosophical discourse, exploring the nature of human existence and our role in creating meaning and purpose in life. Despite critiques and variations, existentialism remains a significant philosophical movement that raises fundamental questions about the human condition.
Writer Joseph Campbell on loving your fate
“Nietzsche was the one who did the job for me. At a certain moment in his life, the idea came to him of what he called “the love of your fate.” Whatever your fate is, whatever the hell happens, you say, “This is what I need.” It may look like a wreck, but go at it as though it were an opportunity, a challenge. If you bring love to that moment — not discouragement — you will find the strength is there. Any disaster you can survive is an improvement in your character, your stature, and your life. What a privilege! Then, when looking back at your life, you will see that the moments which seemed to be great failures followed by wreckage were the incidents that shaped the life you have now. The crisis throws you back, and when you are required to exhibit strength, it comes.” — Source: Reflections on the Art of Living
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Until Next Week,
Be Well.
Thomas
“The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.”— Albert Camus.
Postanly Weekly is a reader-supported smarter living newsletter. To support my work, you can upgrade to a paid subscription for $9 per month or $60 for an entire year. 50% off forever. Plus free access to The Thinking Edge (launching soon). Your modest donation keeps Postanly Weekly going.
Use this special link or the button below.
NEW: The Thinking Edge (launching soon) — A 27-part comprehensive email course on the most effective thinking tools for life. These mental models will be useful across your entire life. Free access for Postanly Weekly paid subscribers.