can anyone give me a simple and easier definition of existentialism and any examples that you can think of?

Question

i was doing some research on this subject over the summer, in preparation for my dissertation which takes place in the second semester of the final year and i've yet to come across a simple and more easily explained definition of this theory. it would be of great help to me not forgeting also that it would put me out of my misery if you could do this, as well as give me examples of what constitutes or defines existentialism, according to you

the best and most simplified and straightforward answer gets the points

Answer 1

Albert Camus was not only an existentialist novelist but also the goalkeeper for the Algerian national football team.

He once said, I believe, that the purest expression of existentialism was a goalkeeper facing a penalty kick.

Answer 2

Existentialism - The question of why we exist and finding meaning in existence. For example, someone in an existential crisis is seeking to determine their own personal relevance. They will resolve this crisis in one of two ways. They will either think that life is pointless and everything they do while alive is pointless because you are still going to die. Or, they will determine that every moment is precious and vow to experience everything they desire because we don't have forever to make a difference in the world and do the things we want to do. The first is not really considered a resolution to the existential crisis because the individual still has not found meaning in existence.

Existentialism views the human experience in the context of an objective environment, and makes the experience of each individual the most important thing in finding meaning in life. Major focuses within existentialism are autonomy, decision making, and freedom, though negative emotions such as anxiety and insecurity are also associated with existentialism. The negative emotions generally come into play during an existential crisis.

So, short version: Existentialism lets us find meaning in life from our own experiences.

I'm not sure that was any less complicated than anything else you have read - but I hope it helps.

Answer 3

The existential attitude is distinguishable from the existential movement.

The existential attitude is alive in well in a western society where the traditional encroachments of church, family and state have been largely dismantled. As a movement in philosophy, however, it died with Sartre rejecting it in favor of Marxist philosophy and T.W. Adorno blasting it in his book - Jargon of Authenticity.

As to the modern existential attitude, individuals must face the cold realization life is accidental absent a strong social fabric, and analyze the predicament of modern life without external support.

Faced with this, according to the existential attitude, all that can be freely achieved is to live life in good faith and with sincerity.

Answer 4

Existentialism = living in the moment.

It is all about the present, living in it. The tangibility of the present, the physicality of existing.

Is this simpliflied and straight foward enough? :-)

Oh and an example - well I guess a good example of existentialism is being spontaneous - people doing something "on the spot". Anything, like dancing for no reason except being happy and for the sake of living in the moment. It is a heightened consciousness/awareness of living.

Answer 5

existentialism is a philosophy that states that the choices you make are more important than your physical being (existance comes before essence). Here are some beliefs associated with existentialism:
man is alone, forlorn, and isolated
man is born into a meaningless world.
the only way life has meaning is if man actively chooses to give it meaning.
death is absurd because it is untimely and cancels the ability to choose. Suicide is better because it is a choice.
there is no god and no standard for right and wrong.

hope this helps.

Answer 6

Well u want a quick and straight answer so i will try my best. Existentialism is a theory that uses all theories for the betterment of the client that u r helping. e.g. u have a client and u r deciding which theory would be best to help him/her by using existentialism u can use anything from any of the theories, thus the client gets the best help.

Answer 7

The notion appeared out of the horrors of the first world war.

After viewing the horrors man inflicked on himself it was easy to believe that we are individuals, alone, rather that a society bound together.

In essence it means each human is his/her own universe and can choose to be alone and unaffected by others.

I hope this helps explain a fairly simple concept wrapped up in a rather complicated sounding word.

Answer 8

Try Jean-Paul Sartre. To exist we have to keep reacting to situations continually. When we cease to react we become a 'thing' - like a chair which doesn't react to someone sitting on it.
Simone de Beauvoir once wrote that when a woman is pregnant she is in danger of becoming a 'thing' because she becomes merely a receptacle for the new life growing inside her.

Answer 9

Consider yourself to be lucky to have got such good answers, usually questions like this get such arrogant answers ...

Anyway, ultimately: existentialism states that whatever you do, or however your life turns out, is you own doing because it was all decided by the choices you made.

It's all your own fault.

Answer 10

hi
i have looked through all the answers and find the greatest (in my opinion) existentialist philosopher's name is missing, Kierkegaard
This is perhaps then ,the simplest explanation I can give....perhaps if you read his works or ideas you will have your own opinion...... a great thinker if.. ever there was one