Exploring Existentialism: Defining Authenticity and Human Existence

Existentialism Student’s Name Institution Affiliation Instructor’s Name Curse Number Due Date Introduction Soren Kierkegaard is considered the first philosopher to talk about existentialism, a Danish philosopher in the 19th century, and also an expert in literature and theology. Existentialists gained momentum and its study was preceded by the works of philosophers such as Friedrich Nietzsche. However, it became a distinct philosophy in the 20th century, with the works of existentialist philosophers such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, and Martin Heidegger (Aho, 2020). Existentialism is a philosophical terminology that recognizes that the whole fabric of life is attributed to one’s thoughts and actions. It stresses human existence and individual choice and suffering in fulfilling their life’s purpose. Its most act of concern is on the individual and their experiences with the world. The basic terms used by existentialists in presenting their arguments include; authenticity, existence precede essence, absurdity, and freedom and responsibility. Jean-Paul Sartre instigates in existentialism that persistence exceeds essence. This analogy means that a human being is born, turns up to the scene and after that, they define themselves. Man begins from nothing creating something in the end. For instance, man has to have a concrete plan for his life; with this, he exists fulfilling his wishes and desires without any other party other than themselves. With this saying there is no human prototype, to which humanity conforms, but understanding the existence of humanity would require God to know it. Existentialists are very suspicious of religion accounting it as a predicament in understanding identity and personhood (Fox, 2017). This criticizes religion in that it must first address identity. Heidegger and Sartre describe an individual on the perception of self-reflection for instance, man’s greatest concern is to develop the best intentions and character that conforms to their lives through their actions. Satre asserts that human reality ‘is not what it is and is what it is not’. Existentialists describe human nature as self-conscious, in that human beings have the freedom to engage in whatever excites them. Human nature is obliged to create its own meaning about life and be authentic about what it believes in by accepting themselves and embracing self-awareness. Life is not smooth and existentialists acknowledge that human beings will face uncertainties and complexities that will crumble them. In this essence, emotions such as ambush, anxiety, depression, and amusement intercept their lives. Existentialists believe that a person exists from birth to death and nothing comes before birth or death. Amid these two seasons of life is the social life that is surrounded by life circumstances that unfold characterized by bewilderment, uncertainty, horror, and dread which is eventually limited by death. This paper provides an argument on the viability of the philosophical argument of existentialism and the real world application in the contemporary world. Existentialist philosophers and their Arguments Soren Kierkegaard, who is considered a father of philosophy stressed the concept of individuality and authenticity. In his famous quote “The most common form of despair is not being who you are, “he shows the importance of chasing goals and dreams by pacing personality and reality at the forefront. Friedrich Nietzsche believed that men in society are divided according to their capacities and willingness to participate in life’s spiritual and cultural transformations. This philosopher criticizes those individuals who are unable to challenge their fundamental beliefs. He valued