Heard multiple definitions from multiple people. Sometimes I think certain terms fall into the category of a fad. And after a while they die, like most fads.
We individually exist with the certain knowledge we will cease existence. In the meantime, responsibility for our actions lie within the person, who is free to determine the course of their own life.
So Ayn Rand was saying "Government be gone; leave me alone"? Not that I'd disagree with that sentiment.
I disagree. Only came on board to offer a definition, not to be involved in a debate. That takes too long and I'm running out of time. Thank you.
You're looking too hard BB. Existentialism is simple. You don't need to read or write a thesis to understand. Comprende?
Why don't you start by reading the fictional works of Camus, Sartre, and I highly recommend "She Came to Stay" by Simone de Beauvoir. You've probably read them already.
Sartre's view of living in an absurd world agrees with one of the 10 or so definitions of the term. Don't see Camus' connection at all and I know nothing of the other individual.
Simone de Beauvoir was Sartre's life partner. After him, IMO, she is the most important to understand existentialism, or anything else on his mind. She's a very engaging writer. I love her autobiographies as much or more as her fiction but I would start with the one I mentioned above, just because I loved it so much.
The thing is I've heard diverse people, eg, celebs, politicos, civil activists, even athletes, use the term to reinforce their own diverse views. And to me that was confusing. Couldn't see the nexus or connection.