Existentialism Explained: How to Create Meaning in a Meaningless World

What gives life meaning? Is it God, love, money, work, football, shopping, or even Sherlock fan fiction? You might have your own personal sense of purpose, or perhaps you hope this course will help you find one. Some believe they were created with a specific essence—a purpose assigned by God. Regardless of what you believe, it’s natural to seek meaning in life.

As we transition from discussing the philosophy of religion to exploring how people perceive meaning in their lives, we find that many dedicate themselves to finding purpose—whether through religion, social justice, education, or artistic expression. Existentialist philosophers argue that while these things can provide meaning, they do not inherently do so. Philosophy thrives on the dialectic—ideas proposed and then challenged. Sometimes these debates unfold immediately, while others take centuries. In ancient Greece, Plato and Aristotle believed that everything possesses an essence—a core set of properties necessary for defining what a thing is. For example, a knife may have different handle materials, but without a blade, it ceases to be a knife. Its blade is its essential property.

This reasoning was applied to humans by Plato and Aristotle, who maintained that our essence precedes birth. This perspective holds that upholding this essence is what it means to be a good human. It gives individuals a purpose, even though some people may find it difficult to comprehend or live up to their core. Known as essentialism, this viewpoint was popular until the late 19th century and remains significant today.

However, in the late 1800s, some philosophers began questioning the idea that humans have an innate essence or purpose. Friedrich Nietzsche, for instance, adopted nihilism, which argues that life has no ultimate purpose. This philosophical revolution paved the way for the 20th-century French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre. Sartre challenged the fundamental tenet of essence and proposed a radical alternative: What if existence comes before essence? This concept became the foundation of existentialism. According to Sartre, we are all born without a predetermined purpose and must develop our own essence through our actions. Existentialism contends that there is no predefined course, in contrast to conventional beliefs that our path is predetermined.

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This was a novel concept at the time. For thousands of years, people used religion to determine their purpose. However, existentialism contends that life has no meaning assigned by any outside power, whether divine or otherwise. Notably, atheism and existentialism are not the same. Some existentialists were theists, such as Søren Kierkegaard. However, even theistic existentialists reject teleology—the notion that God created the universe with an intended purpose. According to this perspective, even though God exists, He does not give life purpose. This leads to one of existentialism’s most defining ideas: the absurd. Traditionally, absurdity refers to something silly or nonsensical. However, existentialists use it to describe the human struggle for meaning in a meaningless world. We crave purpose, yet we find ourselves in a universe that does not inherently provide it. We call out for answers but receive none. That, in existentialist terms, is the absurd.

If the world was not made for a purpose, there are no absolute moral truths. There is no law, equity, or order. Existentialism became quite popular, especially in the wake of the Holocaust’s atrocities. Many abandoned the idea of an ordered world, unable to comprehend how such horrors could make sense in a disordered reality.

However, Sartre faced this meaninglessness head-on. He examined the enormous weight of freedom, not merely the lack of purpose. Although many people see freedom as a good thing, Sartre believed it is actually one of existentialism’s most difficult tenets. We are compelled to establish our own moral standards in the absence of established ones. In his words, we are “condemned to be free.” People often seek answers from authorities such as parents, religious leaders, and governments. Sartre dismissed these figures as mere individuals who, like everyone else, had to determine their paths. The only authentic way to live, he argued, is to fully embrace our freedom and accept responsibility for our choices.

To illustrate this, Sartre shared the story of a student faced with an agonizing decision. The young man had two conflicting obligations—joining the military to fight for a cause he believed in or staying home to care for his elderly mother. If he went to war, he would be a small part of a vast effort affecting millions. If he stayed home, he would make a significant difference in one person’s life. There was no correct answer. Sartre argued that the student’s decision would only gain meaning through his own choice. No moral system or external authority could provide an answer. The only truly valid choice was the one made authentically—based on the values he chose to adopt.

Many view existentialism as bleak. Albert Camus famously remarked that the literal meaning of life is whatever prevents someone from killing themselves. However, existentialists emphasize that life can have meaning—if we choose to give it meaning. The absence of inherent purpose grants us the freedom to define our own. This perspective extends beyond individual existence. If justice and order are to exist in the world, we must create them. If we value fairness and morality, we must establish them. While some may see this responsibility as overwhelming, others find it liberating. In a world devoid of preordained meaning, we are free to shape our paths and define what matters to us.

So, rather than viewing existentialism as a doctrine of despair, it can be seen as a call to action. Meaning is not given—it is made. If we want a world with justice, kindness, or progress, we must bring these values into existence ourselves. That is the existentialist challenge, and ultimately, its opportunity.