A philosophy which emphasizes the importance of choice. It suggests that we only exist (as human beings) if we make our own decisions independently of outside influence. However, while this freedom allows us complete control over our own destinies, it also suggests that we are the sole control over our destinies and are, as a result, isolated from God, society, and ourselves. This leads many to the conclusion that existentialism is depressing.
Officer: go over there!
Guy1: No.
Guy2: Just do what he says man.
Guy1: No I believe in existentialism. I make my own decisions.
Guy1: No.
Guy2: Just do what he says man.
Guy1: No I believe in existentialism. I make my own decisions.
by ersher August 28, 2008
Having to do with existence. More specifically, one way it is used is to mean having to do with state of being as opposed to truth or knowledge. An "existentialist" is more concerned with how to "be" than with what is true. A good example is Albert Camus's "The Plague", in which the character determines that we can't know the meaning of life and suffering, but we should just do what we can.
I think your problem with God is an existential one, not a theological one. You You know all you need to know, you just don't live it.
by ACS49 July 11, 2008
A philosophy which emphasizes the significance of existence and those actions which enable one to experience their own existence, such as making decisions or feeling emotions.
-or-
loneliness.
-or-
loneliness.
by Motivational Void. February 07, 2010
"yolo" for philosophers
by datscience July 04, 2013
you can use this word in pretty much any context and it will make you sound pretentious and/or confuse the person you're talking to.
it's a technique refined and highly over-utilized by pseudo-intellectuals.
it's a technique refined and highly over-utilized by pseudo-intellectuals.
"thoughts of existentialism breezed through my cavern of a mind as i walked under the concave arches in the courtyard of my prestigious university."
"there i was, caught in an existential dilemma. i decided to run the red light."
"i felt that the existentialist undertones in the simpsons represented the decay of religion in society."
"there i was, caught in an existential dilemma. i decided to run the red light."
"i felt that the existentialist undertones in the simpsons represented the decay of religion in society."
by kirkegaard March 06, 2006
Of, relating to, or dealing with existence.
Based on experience; empirical.
Of or as conceived by existentialism or existentialists: an existential moment of choice.
Linguistics. Of or relating to a construction or part of a construction that indicates existence, as the words there is in the sentence There is a cat on the mat.
adj 1: derived from experience or the experience of existence; "the rich experiential content of the teachings of the older philosophers"- Benjamin Farrington; "formal logicians are not concerned with existential matters"- John Dewey syn: experiential 2: of or as conceived by existentialism; "an existential moment of choice" 3: relating to or dealing with existence (especially with human existence)
Based on experience; empirical.
Of or as conceived by existentialism or existentialists: an existential moment of choice.
Linguistics. Of or relating to a construction or part of a construction that indicates existence, as the words there is in the sentence There is a cat on the mat.
adj 1: derived from experience or the experience of existence; "the rich experiential content of the teachings of the older philosophers"- Benjamin Farrington; "formal logicians are not concerned with existential matters"- John Dewey syn: experiential 2: of or as conceived by existentialism; "an existential moment of choice" 3: relating to or dealing with existence (especially with human existence)
by lenin March 15, 2005
there is a spoon
but you don't have to acknowledge it if you don't particularly want to.
see wickywicky
and then click on my other definitions by patty-o-pinch-me-youdie
but you don't have to acknowledge it if you don't particularly want to.
see wickywicky
and then click on my other definitions by patty-o-pinch-me-youdie
i practise exdfcansdfndsjfism
you mean existentialism?
yeah
oh...dumbass.
what! i can do whatever i want!
doesnt change that fact that you're a dumbass..
you mean existentialism?
yeah
oh...dumbass.
what! i can do whatever i want!
doesnt change that fact that you're a dumbass..
by patty-o-pinch-me-youdie May 17, 2004