ExistentialismThe abridged version!

The History of Existentialism Chief spokesman: Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert

Camus, Simon de Beauvoir All French writers involved in the

Resistance during Nazi occupied France in WWII.

Found strength in the human spirit under the worst situations

Major Themes of Existentialism: Existence Before Essence: a man lives,

or merely exists, but he must find his essence.

Every man’s experience of life is unique, and different from anyone else’s and can be understood only in terms each persons’ involvement in life.

Existentialist question: Who am I?Who am I? Reason alone cannot deal with the depths of

human life (life is absurd). Focus almost exclusively on the individual, not

on social responsibility towards society or state Believe that life is difficult, but the individual

must create value by living it (find their essence!)

Existential choices and values are primarily demonstrated in ACT. (our actions define us)

More Existentialist Themes:

Alienation from God, from nature, from other people and from one’s own true self.

Freedom: freedom means human autonomy (independence). Freedom from societal rules, conformity, religion, government etc…

The Anti-hero In literature and film, an anti-hero is a central or

supporting character that has some of the personality flaws traditionally assigned to villains but nonetheless also has enough heroic qualities or intentions to gain the sympathy of readers or viewers. Anti-heroes can be awkward, obnoxious, passive, pitiful, or obtuse; but they are always, in some fundamental way, flawed or failed heroes. ...en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti_hero

"I am existentialist. For me only two things matter - freedom and passion."Shintaro Ishihara 

Who Am I?

How is Sisyphus an existentialist?