Existentialism
Explore the philosophy of Sartre and Camus: freedom, absurdity, authenticity, and the search for meaning.
Sartre and Radical Freedom
Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980) is perhaps the most famous existentialist philosopher. His central claim is that "existence precedes essence" -- we are not born with a predetermined purpose or nature. Instead, we exist first and then define ourselves through our choices and actions. There is no fixed human nature that dictates who we must be.
This leads to what Sartre calls radical freedom: we are always free to choose, even in extreme circumstances. However, this freedom comes with total responsibility. We cannot blame our genes, upbringing, or society for our choices -- we are "condemned to be free." Sartre argues that people often flee from this responsibility through bad faith (mauvaise foi) -- pretending they have no choice when they actually do, such as saying "I had to" when they actually chose to.
Key Sartrean Concepts
Camus and the Absurd
Albert Camus (1913-1960) explored the concept of the absurd -- the conflict between our human desire to find meaning and purpose in life and the universe's apparent indifference or silence. Camus did not technically call himself an existentialist, but his work is closely related. In The Myth of Sisyphus, he uses the Greek myth of Sisyphus (condemned to roll a boulder up a hill for eternity, only for it to roll back down) as a metaphor for human existence.
Camus argued that we have three possible responses to the absurd: suicide (which he rejects), a "leap of faith" into religion or ideology (which he considers intellectual dishonesty), or revolt -- accepting the absurd and living fully despite it. His famous conclusion is: "One must imagine Sisyphus happy." We create meaning through engagement with life, relationships, creativity, and resistance to injustice, even knowing that the universe offers no ultimate answers.
Responses to the Absurd (Camus)
Suicide
Escaping the absurd
Rejected by Camus
Leap of Faith
Religious or ideological escape
Rejected as dishonest
Revolt
Accept and live fully
Camus's recommendation
Authenticity and the Search for Meaning
A central theme in existentialism is authenticity -- living in accordance with your own values, choices, and understanding rather than conforming to social expectations, tradition, or external pressure. To be authentic means to honestly confront your freedom, make deliberate choices, and take responsibility for the person you are becoming.
Existentialism does not claim that life is meaningless -- rather, it holds that meaning is not given to us from outside but must be created by each individual. This can be liberating: if there is no fixed purpose, you are free to pursue what genuinely matters to you. But it also requires courage, because you cannot defer to authority or tradition for easy answers. As Sartre wrote, "We are left alone, without excuse."
Key Vocabulary
Existentialism
A philosophical movement emphasising individual freedom, choice, and responsibility in creating meaning in an indifferent universe.
The Absurd
The tension between human desire for meaning and the universe's apparent lack of inherent purpose (Camus).
Bad Faith
Self-deception about one's freedom -- pretending to be determined by circumstances when one actually has choice (Sartre).
Authenticity
Living in accordance with one's own values and choices rather than conforming to external expectations or social pressure.
Worked Examples
A student says: "I have to study law because my parents expect it." Is this an example of bad faith? Explain.
Step 1: In Sartre's view, no one is compelled by external expectations -- you always have a choice.
Step 2: Saying "I have to" denies the student's freedom and responsibility for their own decision.
Answer: Yes, this is bad faith. The student is free to choose law or not. An authentic response would be: "I am choosing to study law because I value my parents' opinion" or "I am choosing a different path despite my parents' expectations."
How does the myth of Sisyphus illustrate Camus's philosophy of the absurd?
Step 1: Sisyphus is condemned to repeat a futile task for eternity -- his labour has no lasting result.
Step 2: This mirrors human existence: we seek meaning in a universe that offers none inherently.
Answer: Camus argues that Sisyphus can find meaning in the struggle itself. By fully engaging with his task and refusing despair, Sisyphus revolts against absurdity. "One must imagine Sisyphus happy" -- meaning comes from the act of living fully, not from external validation.
Explain what Sartre means by "existence precedes essence."
Step 1: Traditional philosophy often assumed essence comes first (e.g., a knife is designed to cut; its purpose precedes its creation).
Step 2: Sartre reverses this for humans: we exist first and only then define ourselves through choices.
Answer: There is no predetermined human nature. We are not born with a fixed purpose or identity. Instead, we create our essence -- who we are -- through the accumulated choices and actions of our lives.
Knowledge Check
Select the correct answer for each question. Click "Check Answer" to see if you are right.
Question 1
What does Sartre mean by "existence precedes essence"?
Question 2
What is "bad faith" according to Sartre?
Question 3
What response to the absurd does Camus recommend?
Question 4
What does "authenticity" mean in existentialism?
Question 5
Who wrote The Myth of Sisyphus?
Key Concepts Summary
- ●Sartre: "Existence precedes essence" -- we define ourselves through choices, not predetermined purpose.
- ●Radical freedom means we are always free to choose, but also always responsible for those choices.
- ●Bad faith is denying your freedom -- pretending external forces compel you when you actually have choice.
- ●Camus: The absurd is the gap between our need for meaning and the universe's silence; revolt is the answer.
- ●Authenticity means living by your own values and owning your choices rather than conforming blindly.