What is Existentialism

**Nøz** · 02-17-2007, 05:36 AM

Existentialism is a philosophical movement in which individual human beings are understood as having full responsibility for creating the meanings of their own lives. It is a reaction against more traditional philosophies, such as rationalism and empiricism, which sought to discover an ultimate order in metaphysical principles or in the structure of the observed world. The movement had its origins in the 19th century thought of Kierkegaard and Nietzsche and was prevalent in Continental philosophy in the 20th century.

Taken from: Existentialism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**Ristaron** · 02-19-2007, 09:54 PM

Sometimes also referred to as Materialism because it obviates the need of the supernatural. In reality Materialism is just a theory compatible with the Existentialist movement, which sees the metaphysical as plausible but not necessary for our existence.

Abrasax · 04-03-2007, 08:12 AM

I can't believe Sartre hasn't been mentioned yet, the biggest existentialist. I liked Nietzsche much better though.

**Ristaron** · 04-03-2007, 08:15 AM

Yeah, Sartre is (was) probably the foremost Existentialist mind. But Nietzsche is more famous >_>

Abrasax · 04-07-2007, 12:38 PM

Nietzsche was more famous...but not as an existentialist......Nietzsche had existential ideas but he viewed a balance between rationality and irrationality rather than the existential concept of irrationality. Nietzsche supported more of an Apollo-Dionysus mix. Plus, existentialism believes in free will and Nietzsche didn't.

**Ristaron** · 04-07-2007, 12:51 PM

True enough.
But Nietzche also proscribed to "Existence precedes essense", which is the central proposition of the entire philosophy; therefore most people consider him an Existentialist anyways. >_>