Existentialism
Philosophical movement emphasizing individual existence, freedom, and choice. Existentialism asserts that existence precedes essence—humans create their own meaning through choices and actions. Key figures include Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre, and Camus. The philosophy explores authenticity, angst, absurdity, and radical freedom. Existentialism rejects determinism and essentialism, insisting on personal responsibility for one's life. Themes include death anxiety, meaninglessness, and the courage to create values in an indifferent universe.
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Nihilism
Philosophy asserting that life lacks inherent meaning, purpose, or value. Nihilism questions traditional morality, religion, …
Authenticity
Existentialist concept of living in accordance with one's true self rather than social expectations. Heidegger's …
Idealism
Metaphysical view that reality is fundamentally mental or experiential. Berkeley's subjective idealism: to be is …
Absurdism
Philosophy acknowledging the conflict between human need for meaning and the universe's indifference. Camus's The …
Angst
Existentialist concept of anxiety arising from confronting freedom, death, and meaninglessness. Kierkegaard described angst as …
Dualism
Metaphysical view that mind and body are distinct substances. Cartesian substance dualism: mind (res cogitans) …
Being-Toward-Death
Heideggerian concept that authentic existence involves acknowledging death as one's ownmost possibility. Death is the …
Materialism
Metaphysical view that only physical matter exists; mental states reduce to brain states. Eliminative materialism …
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Existentialist perspective on meaning-making
Existentialist perspective on meaning-making
Jean-Paul Sartre
French existentialist philosopher, playwright, and novelist who articulated the philosophy of radical freedom and responsibility. …
Arthur Schopenhauer
German philosopher who developed a metaphysical system centered on the concept of Will. Schopenhauer's pessimistic …
Søren Kierkegaard
Danish philosopher and theologian regarded as the father of existentialism. Kierkegaard explored the individual's relationship …
Søren Kierkegaard
Danish philosopher and theologian regarded as the father of existentialism. Kierkegaard explored the individual's relationship …
Friedrich Nietzsche
German philosopher who challenged the foundations of Christianity and traditional morality. Known for concepts like …
Simone de Beauvoir
French existentialist philosopher and feminist pioneer. Beauvoir's The Second Sex analyzed women's oppression through existentialist …
Friedrich Nietzsche
German philosopher who declared God's death and championed life-affirmation. Nietzsche's concepts of will to power, …