Definition of Existentialism with Examples from Baldwin's Essay

📚 Existentialism Explained: A Quick Study Guide

• 🤔 Definition: Existentialism emphasizes individual freedom, responsibility, and the subjective experience of existence. It posits that existence precedes essence, meaning we are born without a predetermined purpose, and we create our own meaning through our choices.
• 🔑 Key Themes: Freedom, responsibility, anxiety (angst), absurdity, authenticity, and the search for meaning.
• 👨‍🏫 Key Figures: Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, Simone de Beauvoir, and Søren Kierkegaard.
• 📖 Baldwin's Contribution: James Baldwin's essays often explore existential themes within the context of race, identity, and social injustice. He highlights the burden of freedom and the struggle to create meaning in a world that denies certain individuals their humanity.
• 📝 Existence Precedes Essence: Unlike objects with a pre-defined purpose, humans first exist and then define themselves through their actions and choices.
• 💔 Angst and Absurdity: The awareness of our freedom and the lack of inherent meaning can lead to feelings of anxiety (angst) and the recognition of life's inherent absurdity.
• ✊ Authenticity: Existentialism calls for living authentically, which means embracing our freedom and responsibility and creating our own values, rather than conforming to societal expectations.

🧪 Practice Quiz

1. Which of the following best describes the core concept of existentialism?
   1. A. The belief that God predetermines our fate.
   2. B. The idea that essence precedes existence.
   3. C. The emphasis on individual freedom and responsibility.
   4. D. The pursuit of objective truth.
2. What does the phrase "existence precedes essence" mean?
   1. A. Our pre-defined purpose determines our existence.
   2. B. We are born with a set identity that we must fulfill.
   3. C. We create our own meaning through our choices and actions.
   4. D. Existence is an illusion.
3. Which of the following is a key theme in existentialist thought?
   1. A. Determinism
   2. B. Conformity
   3. C. Authenticity
   4. D. Obedience
4. What is "angst" in existentialist philosophy?
   1. A. A feeling of joy and contentment.
   2. B. A sense of peace and harmony with the universe.
   3. C. The anxiety that arises from the awareness of freedom and responsibility.
   4. D. A lack of emotion.
5. How might James Baldwin's essays relate to existentialism?
   1. A. They reject existential themes.
   2. B. They illustrate the struggle for meaning within the context of social injustice.
   3. C. They promote the idea of a pre-determined fate.
   4. D. They focus solely on political issues, ignoring individual experience.
6. Living authentically, according to existentialism, involves:
   1. A. Following societal norms and expectations.
   2. B. Embracing our freedom and creating our own values.
   3. C. Seeking external validation and approval.
   4. D. Denying our emotions and desires.
7. What is the role of 'responsibility' in existentialist thought?
   1. A. It is insignificant because our choices are predetermined.
   2. B. It is a burden to be avoided.
   3. C. It is central because we are accountable for our actions and choices.
   4. D. It is a concept only applicable to leaders.