Existentialism Explained: English Listening Practice for Exams

Good afternoon. Today, we delve into the often challenging, yet profoundly influential, philosophical movement known as Existentialism. Emerging most prominently in the mid-20th century, particularly in post-war Europe, Existentialism confronts the human condition head-on, exploring themes of freedom, responsibility, anxiety, and the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless or indifferent universe. It’s less a single, unified doctrine and more a collection of related ideas explored by various thinkers, including Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, Simone de Beauvoir, Søren Kierkegaard (often considered a precursor), and others.

Perhaps the most famous maxim associated with Existentialism, particularly with Sartre, is “existence precedes essence.” What does this mean? Traditionally, philosophy often assumed that things, including humans, have a pre-defined nature or purpose – an ‘essence’ – given perhaps by God or by nature itself. For example, a knife is created with the essence of ‘cutting’ in mind by its maker. Existentialists, particularly atheistic existentialists like Sartre, reject this for humans. They argue that humans are born first – we simply exist – without a predetermined purpose or nature. We are thrown into the world, and it is only through our choices and actions that we create our own ‘essence,’ our own identity and values. We define ourselves by what we do.

This leads directly to the cornerstone of existentialist thought: radical freedom. If there’s no pre-ordained path or divine plan, humans are fundamentally free to choose who they want to be. This freedom isn’t necessarily easy or pleasant; Sartre described humans as being “condemned to be free.” We cannot escape making choices, and every choice we make contributes to defining us. We are the sum of our actions.

With this radical freedom comes immense responsibility. Because we choose our actions and, in doing so, create our values, we are entirely responsible for who we become. Furthermore, Sartre argued that when we choose for ourselves, we are implicitly choosing for all humankind. By choosing a certain way of acting, we are asserting that this is a valuable way for a human being to act. This places a heavy weight of responsibility on the individual – every choice matters not just for oneself, but as a statement about human value.

This awareness of freedom and responsibility often leads to what existentialists call ‘anguish’ or ‘anxiety’ (angst). This isn’t everyday worry; it’s a deeper, existential dread stemming from the recognition of our total freedom and the weight of responsibility that comes with it. It’s the feeling of standing on the edge of a cliff, aware not only that you could fall, but that you are free to choose to jump. This anguish is an unavoidable part of the human condition if we honestly confront our freedom.

Another key concept, particularly emphasized by Albert Camus, is the ‘absurd.’ The absurd arises from the confrontation between humanity’s innate search for meaning, order, and purpose, and the silent, indifferent, meaningless universe we find ourselves in. We crave rationality and significance, but the world offers none. Camus illustrated this with the Greek myth of Sisyphus, condemned eternally to push a boulder up a hill only to have it roll down again. Sisyphus’s repetitive, pointless labor symbolizes the human condition. However, Camus didn’t advocate despair. He argued that we should recognize and embrace the absurd. The key is to revolt against it by living passionately, maintaining our freedom, and creating our own meaning in spite of the universe’s indifference. Camus famously concluded, “One must imagine Sisyphus happy,” finding meaning in the struggle itself.

Faced with anguish and absurdity, existentialists stress the importance of ‘authenticity.’ Living authentically means fully accepting our freedom and responsibility, making choices consciously, and taking ownership of our lives. The opposite is ‘bad faith’ (a term used by Sartre) or inauthenticity. This involves deceiving ourselves about our freedom, pretending our choices are determined by external factors (like genetics, upbringing, social roles, or divine will), or simply conforming passively to societal expectations. Bad faith is an attempt to escape the burden of freedom and responsibility, but for existentialists, it’s a denial of our fundamental human condition. Simone de Beauvoir, in her groundbreaking work The Second Sex, applied existentialist principles to the situation of women, arguing that societal structures often pushed women into roles that encouraged them to live in bad faith, denying their own freedom and transcendence.

It’s important to note that existentialism isn’t inherently pessimistic, though it deals with difficult themes. While it acknowledges anxiety and the potential for meaninglessness, it ultimately emphasizes human agency, creativity, and the power to create value. It calls for individuals to live passionately, commit to chosen projects and values, and take responsibility for shaping their lives and, implicitly, the world. It rejects predetermined destinies and emphasizes the subjective experience of the individual as the starting point for philosophical reflection.

In conclusion, Existentialism offers a powerful, albeit challenging, perspective on human existence. By stripping away assumptions of pre-ordained purpose, it places radical freedom and responsibility squarely on the individual. Key ideas like “existence precedes essence,” anguish, absurdity, and the call for authenticity compel us to examine how we live, the choices we make, and the meaning we create in a world that doesn’t provide ready-made answers. It’s a philosophy that demands engagement, urging us not just to think, but to live deliberately and take ownership of our unique, finite existence.