Existentialism

“Existence precedes essence; carve yourself with absolute freedom in the meaningless wilderness.”

I. The Core Definition

Existentialism posits that humans are born like a completely blank piece of paper, with no predestined mission or “factory settings.” The world itself possesses no ready-made meaning, and you cannot count on deities, society, or fate to tell you how to live. Therefore, you must personally create your own value through your daily choices and actions, and bear absolute responsibility for this freedom.

II. The Core Questions It Seeks to Answer

• The search for purpose: When traditional beliefs collapse and the standards provided by society are no longer reliable, what exactly do humans live for in this cold, indifferent universe?
• Facing the void: When no one can tell me “what the absolutely correct choice is,” how do I face that overwhelming sense of anxiety and disorientation?
• Living authentically: How can we break free from the expectations of society and others, stop blindly playing the roles assigned to us, and live an absolutely true and “authentic” life?

III. Key Tenets and Ideological Breakdown

• Existence Precedes Essence:This is the beating heart of existentialism. If you manufacture a pair of scissors, you must first have the purpose of “cutting things” (the essence) in your mind before you create it (existence). Humans, however, are different: we are first thrown into this world (existence), and only then do we define who we truly are through a lifetime of actions, choices, and experiences (essence). You are not a born failure or a born success; you are the sum of your actions.
• The Absurdity of the World:Existentialists view the universe as silent and indifferent. Humans are born with an instinctual desire to seek meaning, order, and fairness, yet the world happens to be chaotic, impermanent, and illogical. The violent collision between this “human rational calling” and the “world’s unreasonable silence” generates “The Absurd.” Accepting the absurdity of the world is our first step toward attaining freedom.
• Absolute Freedom and Responsibility:The freedom we possess is absolute, almost to the point of being a “curse.” No matter how desperate a situation you are in, you always have a choice (even if it is the choice to rebel or to die). Precisely because you possess absolute freedom, you must also bear absolute responsibility. You cannot shift the blame for your failures by saying, “It’s just my innate personality,” “My parents ruined me,” or “The social environment forced me.” You chose your life, and you must foot the bill for it.
• Existential Anxiety (Angst):When you realize that you possess infinite choices and that there is no safety net or standard answer to catch you, you will feel a profound sense of panic and dizziness—this is “existential anxiety.” It is like standing on the edge of a cliff: what you fear is not falling, but the sudden realization that “I actually have the freedom to jump.” Existentialism views this anxiety not as a pathology, but as proof of human awakening and the beginning of taking responsibility for oneself.
• Rejecting Bad Faith (Mauvaise Foi):Jean-Paul Sartre coined the concept of “Bad Faith” to describe those who are too afraid to face their freedom. When a person treats the role assigned by society as their entirety (e.g., “I am just a corporate drone; I have no choice but to obey”), or uses the external environment as an excuse for inaction, they are lying to themselves. Rejecting Bad Faith means bravely acknowledging that you always have the power to choose and living out your authentic self.

IV. Key Figures & Quotes

Jean-Paul Sartre — The synthesizer and namer of modern existentialism.

“Man is condemned to be free; because once thrown into the world, he is responsible for everything he does.”

Søren Kierkegaard — The father of existentialism, the pioneer who shifted the philosophical focus to individual inner anxiety.

“Anxiety is the dizziness of freedom.”

V. Modern Relevance and Reflection

In modern society, it is incredibly easy to live as an “NPC (Non-Player Character).” We live according to a pre-written societal script: study a popular major, find a stable job, buy a house and a car, get married, and have children. When we struggle painfully in a job we dislike or a suffocating relationship, the phrase most often on our lips is: “I can’t help it; I have no choice.”

Existentialism is the ultimate weapon to shatter this modern disease.

It acts as a resounding slap in the face, reminding us that “having no choice” is itself a choice you are actively making (you have chosen compromise and the illusion of security).

The next time you feel lost at a career crossroads, or anxious because you don’t know “how others will view me,” existentialism tells you: do not fear this anxiety, because it means you are currently gripping the steering wheel of your life. Let go of the obsession with “standard answers” and stop shifting the responsibility onto the macroeconomic environment or your family of origin. Acknowledge the absurdity of the world, and then, on this absurd stage, use your concrete actions to write your own script. You do not need to search for the meaning of life, because you are the creator of meaning.