Existentialism

From Geography

Existentialism is a foundational philosophy, which was founded during the 20th century. This philosophy emphasises that human beings can make their own identity and create their own ‘world’ by making their own choices. A human being is definitely not a machine in this approach and is free in making these choices. At the beginning a human being is nothing, by choices they make further on in their life, a human being will become something (out of nothing). They become a real person who is different from all other persons in life and by making choices they create a life with meaning.

Existentialism is closely identified with Sartre. According to J.P. Sartre, existential thinkers have in common the belief that ‘existence comes before essence'. Sartre explains that first a human being is in the ‘existence’ stage, they only exist because they are born, but don’t have any identity. But then become a real person, a real human being by things they do and choices they make. You are what u do. A man is nothing else, but that which he makes of himself.

“For other thinkers this view emphasises the ‘subjectivity’ of human beings, the only beings in the world to prossess ‘will and consciousness’, and insist that human beings are ‘free’ to choose the ‘nature’ of their existence and to ascribe it with meaning” (Cloke, Philo & Sadler, 1991, p. 76). Human beings are not totally free to choose, also forced to choose to make sure they won’t be thrown back to their bare existence.

Existentialism as term is related with the terms ‘Dasein’and ´Being´ from Martin Heidegger. Existentialism is also related to Phenomenology.

Some existentialist thinkers: