Philosophy | What Is Existentialism?
What is existentialism?
Existentialism is not a single school of thought but rather a label applied to several systems influenced by the theories of Danish philosopher Søren Kierkegaard (1813–1855). Existentialist thinkers consider one problem: human existence in an unfathomable (unknowable) universe. However, in considering this "plight," philosophers have arrived at different conclusions.
The founder of existentialism, Kierkegaard rejected the principles put forth by traditional philosophers such as Georg Hegel (1770–1831) who contended that philosophy is a science. According to Hegel, philosophy, like science, produces concepts that can be proven through the observation of facts. Kierkegaard overturned this concept, stating that truth is not objective (based on fact) but rather subjective (based on personal perception)—that there is no such thing as universal truth, that human existence is not understandable in...
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