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existentialism

Existentialism is defined as a philosophical theory that focuses on free will and personal responsibility.

(noun)

A philosophical theory focusing on free will is an example of existentialism.

See existentialism in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a philosophical and literary movement, variously religious and atheistic, stemming from Kierkegaard and represented by Sartre, Heidegger, etc.: it is based on the doctrine that concrete, individual existence takes precedence over abstract, conceptual essence and holds that human beings are totally free and responsible for their acts and that this responsibility is the source of their feelings of dread and anguish

Origin: Fr existentialisme < existenciel

Related Forms:

existentialist adjective, noun

See existentialism in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A philosophy that emphasizes the uniqueness and isolation of the individual experience in a hostile or indifferent universe, regards human existence as unexplainable, and stresses freedom of choice and responsibility for the consequences of one's acts.

Related Forms: