Existentialism (Europe, 19th–20th Century) Existentialism, emerging prominently in 19th- and 20th-century Europe through thinkers like Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Sartre, de Beauvoir, and Camus, asserts that existence precedes essence: humans are not born with predetermined purpose but must create meaning through choices and actions. In a universe perceived as indifferent or absurd, individuals confront anxiety, freedom, and responsibility. Sartre declared “man is condemned to be free,” emphasizing that even inaction is a choice. Authenticity—living in alignment with one’s true self despite societal pressures—is central. While often associated with despair, existentialism champions agency: meaning isn’t found but forged. De Beauvoir applied it to feminism, exposing how gender roles constrain freedom. Camus advocated rebellion against absurdity through creative or ethical engagement. Though diverse in tone—from religious (Kierkegaard) to atheistic (Sartre)—existentialists share a focus on subjective experience, personal accountability, and the courage to live without cosmic guarantees. Today, it informs psychology, literature, and ethics, reminding us that freedom is both burden and gift.
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