Existentialism came about because of big changes in history and ideas. Here are some important reasons why it started:
Industrial Revolution (1760-1840): This was a time when many people moved from farms to big cities. It changed how people lived and often made them feel lonely. By 1850, London had over 2 million people, showing how many were living in cities.
World Wars Impact: The horrible experiences of World War I (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945) left many people feeling lost and confused. In World War I, around 10 million soldiers died, which made people question what life really meant.
Philosophical Roots: Important thinkers like Søren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche helped create existentialist ideas. Nietzsche famously said, "God is dead," showing how religion was losing its power over people's lives.
Response to Nihilism: Existentialism acts as a response to nihilism, which is the belief that life has no meaning. Instead, it focuses on the importance of personal freedom and making choices, as shown in the writings of Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir.
Together, these reasons helped shape existentialism, which focuses on finding meaning in a world that often feels chaotic and confusing.
Existentialism came about because of big changes in history and ideas. Here are some important reasons why it started:
Industrial Revolution (1760-1840): This was a time when many people moved from farms to big cities. It changed how people lived and often made them feel lonely. By 1850, London had over 2 million people, showing how many were living in cities.
World Wars Impact: The horrible experiences of World War I (1914-1918) and World War II (1939-1945) left many people feeling lost and confused. In World War I, around 10 million soldiers died, which made people question what life really meant.
Philosophical Roots: Important thinkers like Søren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche helped create existentialist ideas. Nietzsche famously said, "God is dead," showing how religion was losing its power over people's lives.
Response to Nihilism: Existentialism acts as a response to nihilism, which is the belief that life has no meaning. Instead, it focuses on the importance of personal freedom and making choices, as shown in the writings of Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir.
Together, these reasons helped shape existentialism, which focuses on finding meaning in a world that often feels chaotic and confusing.