You are not born with a purpose; you must create one.

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 7 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Most people assume humans have a pre-defined essence, like a blueprint for a soul. Existentialism argues the opposite: existence comes first. We are thrown into a world that doesn't provide a script, leaving us with the terrifying, beautiful responsibility of inventing our own meaning from scratch.

Existentialism emerged as a response to essentialism, the belief that things have an inherent nature or purpose. While traditional philosophies often sought universal truths or divine blueprints, existentialists focused on the 'concreteness' of human life. They argued that because there is no pre-written manual for being human, individuals face an 'apparent absurdity' or incomprehensibility in existence. This realization often leads to an existential crisis, characterized by angst and a profound sense of freedom. This perspective emphasizes the human subject's struggle to live authentically. It highlights how individuals must navigate the problematic character of their own lives. Such a worldview rejects systematic philosophies that feel too removed from reality.

The movement gained significant momentum in continental Europe between 1930 and the mid-20th century. While the term 'existentialism' was not coined until the mid-1940s by Gabriel Marcel, its roots reach back to 19th-century thinkers like Søren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Fyodor Dostoevsky. These early figures critiqued rationalism and grappled with the problem of meaning. However, the label became most famously associated with Jean-Paul Sartre, who publicly adopted it in October 1945 in a lecture that helped popularize the movement. Sartre originally rejected the label when Marcel first applied it to him. However, he later accepted it during a specific lecture in Paris. Other scholars debate whether the term should only apply to the 1940s cultural movement.

At its core, existentialism champions 'authenticity' as a primary virtue. It suggests that personal freedom and deliberate choice are the only ways to achieve self-discovery. Rather than following abstract academic systems, existentialists prioritize the human subject's experience. Because of its focus on individual responsibility and the struggle for meaning, the philosophy has deeply influenced diverse fields beyond academia, including theology, psychology, drama, and the arts. The movement's influence extends into literature and various other disciplines. It remains a central inquiry into the determination of life's value. These views prioritize the pursuit of self-discovery through individual responsibility.

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