Existentialism is a philosophical inquiry that focuses on the existence of the individual and asserts that individuals must embrace responsibility for their actions and strive to lead authentic lives, despite the universe's inherent absurdity or incomprehensibility. It examines concepts like meaning, purpose, value, existential crises, angst, courage, and freedom [1]. 

The term 'existentialism' was coined by the French philosopher Gabriel Marcel in the mid-1940s, and the movement includes contributions from notable thinkers such as Søren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Albert Camus [1]. A central tenet of existentialism is the idea that 'existence precedes essence,' implying that individuals define themselves through their actions and choices rather than through predetermined categories or essences [1]. 

Existentialism emphasizes personal freedom, individual responsibility, and deliberate choice as crucial to self-discovery and finding meaning in life [1]. It rejects traditional systematic philosophies as too abstract, advocating instead for authenticity and concrete human experience [1]. Notably, existentialist themes also explore the absurdity of existence and the struggle to find meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe, as illustrated by works involving the experiences of individuals facing their own freedom and the consequences of their choices [1].

What is existentialism?

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