Existentialism revolves around the idea that life, at its core, does not come with inherent meaning. The universe is indifferent, and humans are left to grapple with this unsettling realization. This gives rise to what existentialists call “the absurd,” the conflict between our deep desire for purpose and the silence of the universe. Albert Camus famously explored this concept, suggesting that while life may appear meaningless, this realization can also serve as a foundation for freedom and personal meaning.
At the heart of existentialism is the idea of freedom. Jean-Paul Sartre described it as both a gift and a burden—human beings are “condemned to be free.” Unlike objects that follow fixed laws of nature or animals that act on instinct, humans must actively make choices. There are no preordained guidelines for how to live, no divine script that maps out our path. This freedom is exhilarating because it allows us to shape our own destinies, but it’s also terrifying. Every decision becomes a reflection of who we are, and we alone are responsible for those choices. There’s no one to blame, no external force to guide us, just the raw reality of freedom.
With freedom comes the question of authenticity. In a world without inherent meaning, the challenge is to live authentically—making choices that genuinely reflect who we are, rather than simply following societal norms or living by default. Existentialists call for self-awareness and self-responsibility, urging individuals to act in accordance with their own values and beliefs, rather than being shaped by external forces or the expectations of others.
But living authentically is no easy task. When we fully realize the weight of our freedom, it often brings anxiety, or what existentialists call “existential angst.” This angst is not just a fear of death or suffering but a deep awareness of the uncertainty and openness of life. Without fixed rules, we are left to navigate life’s complexities alone, choosing our path without any guarantees.
Death looms large in existentialist thought. It’s the ultimate reminder of life’s finitude. Death strips away all illusions and forces us to confront the temporariness of our existence. However, existentialism doesn’t view death as something to fear; rather, it sees death as a call to live fully. Because life is finite, every moment becomes precious. Knowing we have a limited time to live gives our choices more weight. Our task is to fill our lives with meaning, knowing that one day, it will all come to an end.
This confrontation with the absurdity of life can lead to despair or nihilism, the belief that nothing matters. But existentialists like Camus argue that this doesn’t have to be the case. Instead, they advocate for a revolt against nihilism. Even if life has no ultimate meaning, we can still create our own purpose through our actions, passions, and relationships. Camus uses the myth of Sisyphus to illustrate this: Sisyphus, condemned to roll a boulder up a hill for eternity, symbolizes the human condition. Despite the futility of his task, Sisyphus continues to push the boulder, and in that, he finds a kind of freedom. Camus argues that we must imagine Sisyphus as happy, because he embraces his struggle and creates meaning from it.
The search for meaning in existentialism is not about finding a universal truth but about creating personal meaning. Some may find purpose in love, others in creativity, work, or self-expression. There’s no one right answer, only the meaning that individuals choose to assign to their own lives. By engaging deeply with the world, whether through relationships, projects, or personal growth, we can find a sense of purpose that sustains us, even in the face of uncertainty.
In this way, existentialism becomes a philosophy of action. Instead of waiting for life to reveal its purpose, existentialists encourage us to take control, to live fully, and to make meaning where there might be none. Life’s meaning is not something to be discovered, but something to be constructed, step by step, through the choices we make and the paths we choose to follow.
Ultimately, existentialism invites us to face the void of meaninglessness not with despair but with creativity and courage. It is a call to live with intention, to recognize the power we have to define our own existence, and to embrace the freedom and responsibility that come with being human. The universe may be indifferent, but we are not. In the act of living authentically, we transform life’s absurdity into a journey rich with personal meaning.