Existentialism: A Critical Discussion on its Meaning and Impact

This essay presents a critical discussion on Existentialism, a 20th-century philosophy centered on human existence and self-identification in the world. It explores the meaning of the self through free will, personal responsibility, and autonomous choices, highlighting the continuous search for meaning in individual experiences. The essay emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility without relying on external support, and the stress associated with decision-making. It also touches on the existentialist perspective on societal values, structures, and the potential of science. Furthermore, the essay discusses the impact of existentialism on society, including the perpetual state of suffering and the emphasis on individual judgment. Key figures in existentialism, such as Karl Jaspers and Jean Paul Satre, are mentioned, and relevant references are provided.

Critical discussion on
Existentialism
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Existentialism: Meaning
 The existentialist philosophy
developed in the 20th c (Bakewell 2017).
It cantered around the way in which
the human beings locate and identify
themselves in the existing world
(Dilman 2016).
Human being exist first and every
individual keep on transforming the
essence or nature

The philosophy of existentialism is
concerned with seeking the meaning
of the self.
This meaning is found through free
will, personal responsibility and
autonomous choice of the individual.

Human beings are in continuous search of
the meaning of their existence.
Personal choices of the individuals become
unique
Personal choices of the individual are
based on their distinctive experiences

Belief of an existentialist:
A person must be compelled to select and
remain responsible without seeking the
support of laws, traditions, customs and
regulatory bodies.

Highlights of existentialism
 Decisions are accompanied by stress and
consequences
 Discipline and personal responsibility is important.
The existence of society is unnatural and the
traditional and secular rules are arbitrary

Concepts related to
existentialism
 social values and structure
control
Pleasure, honour and wealth
Science has the potential to make
things better (Fuller 2016).
Human beings are good but
ruined by the society

Impact of existentialism on
society
Human life is in no way complete
and contended because of the
perpetual state of suffering and
losses (Izenberg 2015)

Impact of existentialism on
society
 It emphasizes on the people’s
judgement in the determination of
what is to be believed and what is
to be excluded (Canavan 2018).

Karl Jaspers

Franz Kafka

Walter Kaufmann