- Question
What is existentialism?
The very definition of 'existentialism' is debatable. Some believe that the term is rooted, and only intelligible, in the realm of philosophy. Thus, existentialism can be understood as a philosophical approach. Yet, there are ways in which the works of key existentialist thinkers span other disciplines, such as literature.
Existentialism is a philosophy
Existentialist thinking gained prominence from the late 19th century with key thinkers (and writers) being Søren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche. Although some thinkers did not explicitly identify with the movement, the emphasis placed on, and their belief in, the free will of agents in determining their life is what lead to them being labelled as existentialist.
Existentialism is a literary phenomenon
Existentialist themes have been explored and promoted in fictional works, such as novels and plays, by Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus. Existentialism as a literature movement manifests in such works.