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What is the role of existentialism in the history of philosophy?

Leanne Pedder

Well hello there, my fellow internet friends! Today we are going to be talking about something very intellectual and thought-provoking - existentialism. Now, I know what you're thinking, "Oh great, another philosophy lesson." But trust me, this one is actually pretty interesting!

So, what is the role of existentialism in the history of philosophy? Well, let me tell you! Existentialism is a school of thought that focuses on human freedom and choice, and the meaning that we give to our lives. It emerged in the 20th century, as a response to the disillusionment and alienation that many people felt after World War II.

One of the most famous existentialists was Jean-Paul Sartre, who famously wrote, "Existence precedes essence." What does that mean? Essentially, it means that we exist first, and then we define ourselves through our choices and actions. We are not born with an inherent purpose or meaning - we create it for ourselves.

Existentialism has had a huge impact on the way that we think about ourselves and our place in the world. It has influenced literature, art, and even popular culture. Have you ever heard someone say "YOLO" or "life is meaningless"? That's existentialism in a nutshell.

But why is it so important in the history of philosophy? Well, for one thing, it challenged many of the traditional ideas about human nature and the meaning of life. For centuries, philosophers had argued that there was some kind of innate purpose or order to the universe. Existentialism turned this on its head, and suggested that we are completely free to create our own meaning.

Existentialism also had a big impact on psychology and therapy. It encouraged people to take responsibility for their own lives, and to find their own way in the world. This was a radical departure from the Freudian approach, which emphasized the influence of the unconscious mind and early childhood experiences.

In conclusion, existentialism has played a huge role in the history of philosophy, and continues to influence the way that we think about ourselves and our place in the world. It reminds us that we are free to create our own meaning, and that life is what we make of it. So next time someone tells you that "life is meaningless", you can smile and say, "Actually, according to Jean-Paul Sartre..."