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Study existentialism

⏱️ 2-4 hours 📊 Intermediate 📚 Learning

About This Idea

Explore existentialism, a philosophical movement examining individual existence, freedom, and meaning. Study thinkers like Sartre, Camus, Kierkegaard, and Nietzsche who grappled with questions of purpose, authenticity, and the human condition. Existentialism offers profound insights into how we live and find meaning.

How to Get Started

FOUNDATION (1 hour)
  1. Understand core themes: Existence precedes essence, freedom and responsibility, authenticity, meaning
  2. Study key thinkers: Sartre ('Existence precedes essence'), Camus (absurdism), Kierkegaard (faith), Nietzsche (will to power)
  3. Read accessible introductions: 'Existentialism: A Very Short Introduction' or online summaries
  4. Watch 'Introduction to Existentialism' lectures: Crash Course Philosophy, YouTube philosophy channels
MAJOR WORKS (1-2 hours)
  1. Sartre's 'Existentialism is a Humanism': Accessible introduction to his ideas
  2. Camus' 'The Myth of Sisyphus': Understanding the absurd, finding meaning despite meaninglessness
  3. Kierkegaard's concepts: Anxiety, despair, leap of faith - foundational existentialist ideas
  4. Nietzsche's themes: Death of God, Übermensch, eternal recurrence
APPLYING EXISTENTIALISM (1 hour)
  1. Personal reflection: How do existentialist ideas relate to your life? What gives your life meaning?
  2. Freedom and responsibility: Understanding that we create our values through choices
  3. Authenticity: Living according to your own values, not others' expectations
  4. Existential anxiety: Understanding anxiety as part of the human condition, not something to eliminate

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