definition of existential?

Answer 1

That which exists...Existentialism is a philosophy that rebels against the notion of "universal truths," at least in a spiritual sense...We define ourselves as individuals who must accept that though we adopt the knowledge of others before us, we are ultimately responsible for our own view of {ReALiTy.]
Most of us are atheist, but not all.
It can be difficult to define what existentialists have in common because we are all determined to find our own truths, not to impose on others, like the Christians and other theists, but to learn to live life to the fullest, and, hopefully to help others do the same. We do not serve the devil or serve any ideal other than UNDERSTANDING TRUTH...But most of us realize that the greater part of truth IS IN THE INDIVIDUAL'S PERCEPTION OF IT.

I'm including some links to other answers I wrote that may help you grasp what an existential point of view might look like...
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AmQq0TMeK2g5IBUm1ZDGzRvty6IX?qid=20070618144926AANzDRF&show=7#profile-info-Qc60y1qZaa
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AswudTeJXRE490aIfhnBdCDty6IX?qid=20070613223542AAVnhd7&show=7#profile-info-0VkYdSBSaa
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ajks8rR1GRFNX1L_UY5iqufty6IX?qid=20070527153914AA6lOyu&show=7#profile-info-355a2ba3c6f12c28c7fd5031aa56160caa

Answer 2

First of all, it bears mention that there isn't really ONE 'existentialism'. There are many people who are considered existentialist (often they don't consider themselves to be), and they disagree on many things. But obviously if there is some criteria that others use to put someone in this category, it must have some overarching characteristics. I think that there are mainly two:

The first has to do with the universe. An existentialist believes the universe to be inherently meaningless. There is no purpose, and often no order to the things that go on, and searching for these things externally is considered to be a completely pointless endeavor. This is not to say that order and meaning cannot be created (that would be nihilism), but rather that they are not intrinsically there. If you want order or meaning you have to MAKE it. Most so-called existentialists consider this to be no small task.

The second major characteristic lies next to the first, which is that reason is not necessarily supreme. If the universe is chaotic, then perhaps being reasonable is an unreasonable thing to do (which is also why some completely reject most philosophical work). Existentialists tend to stress other things instead. Nietzsche, for example, emphasized a 'will to power', one which could be seen by others as barbaric and horrible. Others concentrate on being yourself, or heeding your senses as one of the few inputs you have on what's going on around you.

Desperation is sometimes associated with existentialism, and perhaps not without reason. If you believe that the universe is almost working against you and that you have almost nothing to work with, it can be difficult to maintain a rosy disposition. Yet existentialists too sometimes claim to feel a glory and see a beauty that others are blinded too because they are duped by the other false ideas they wrap around them.

Answer 3

I'd say that the key tenet of existentialism is that existence precedes essence. As others rightly point out, there are a lot of different philosophies gathered under that name, but the above is something on which they all agree.

Answer 4

Existent, quantifiable, noticeable, present, that which is and present whether recognized or not.

Answer 5

Please visit: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=7g6&defl=en&q=define:Existential&sa=X&oi=glossary_definition&ct=title


It's too long to type it here.