Existentialists

Existentialism is a term applied to the work of a number of [|19th-] and [|20th-century philosophers] who, despite profound doctrinal differences, generally held that the focus of philosophical thought should be to deal with the conditions of existence of the individual person and their emotions, actions, responsibilities, and thoughts. The early [|19th century] philosopher [|Søren Kierkegaard], posthumously regarded as the father of existentialism, maintained that the individual is solely responsible for giving his own life [|meaning] and living that life [|passionately and sincerely] , in spite of many existential obstacles and distractions including [|despair] , [|angst] , [|absurdity] , [|alienation] , and [|boredom]. Subsequent existential philosophers retain the emphasis on the individual, but differ, in varying degrees, on how one achieves and what constitutes a fulfilling life, what obstacles must be overcome, and what external and internal factors are involved, including the potential consequences of the [|existence] or [|non-existence] of God. Many existentialists have also regarded traditional systematic or academic philosophy, in both style and content, as too abstract and remote from concrete human experience. Existentialism became fashionable in the post- [|World War] years as a way to reassert the importance of human individuality and freedom. -David Jeong