Birth of Existentialism

The birth of existentialism emerged in the early 20th century as a philosophical movement emphasizing individual experience, responsibility, and the search for meaning in an uncertain, often absurd world. Influenced by World War I, thinkers like Søren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche, and later Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus, questioned traditional values and beliefs, highlighting personal freedom and the inevitability of choice. Existentialism explores how individuals create purpose amid ambiguity and confront feelings of alienation, emphasizing authentic living despite life's inherent uncertainties. It fundamentally shifted thinking about human existence, emphasizing personal agency in a complex, unpredictable world.