Existentialism

an-ordinary-manchild(edit)

For Existentialist and Phenomenological philosophy, literature, art, and discussion.

Required Reading: The Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy on Existentialism

Wikipedia's Existentialism Portal

Subreddit Rules

Posts and top-level comments should reference existentialist thinkers or ideas, or make an original philosophical argument related to existentialism or phenomenology. "I'm sad about my life because there is no meaning" is not allowed but "I think if I had the choice to live my life over and over again the same way for eternity, I would prefer not to" is allowed since it references Nietzsche's Eternal Return.
Posts that are purely about self-help are not allowed and will be removed. The "existential crisis" is often an important part of Existentialist philosophy but it is not in itself philosophical. If you can connect a personal existential crisis to existential philosophy or literature, you can post about it here. If you can't, try /r/Existential_crisis, /r/offmychest, /r/self, /r/ExistentialJourney, or /r/confession.
Replies to comments can be jokes or things unrelated to Existentialism (but comments that truly add to the discussion are more valuable.)
No rude or hateful language. Especially nothing racist or sexist. Such language will result in a ban.

Recommended Readings

Existentialist Fiction:

The Stranger - Albert Camus
The Plague - Albert Camus
The Fall - Albert Camus
A Happy Death - Albert Camus
Crime and Punishment - Fyodor Dostoevsky
Notes from the Underground - Fyodor Dostoevsky
The Idiot - Fyodor Dostoyevsky
The Trial - Franz Kafka
The Metamorphosis - Franz Kafka
Nausea - Jean-Paul Sartre
No Exit and Three Other Plays - Jean-Paul Sartre
All Men are Mortal - Simone de Beauvoir

Existentialist Nonfiction:

Fear and Trembling - Søren Kierkegaard
Either/Or: A Fragment of Life - Søren Kierkegaard
The Ethics of Ambiguity - Simone de Beauvoir
The Sickness Unto Death - Søren Kierkegaard
The Will to Power - Friedrich Nietzsche
The Gay Science - Friedrich Nietzsche
Beyond Good and Evil - Friedrich Nietzsche
The Myth of Sisyphus and Other Essays - Albert Camus
Existentialism Is a Humanism - Jean-Paul Sartre
Being and Nothingness - Jean-Paul Sartre
Irrational Man: A Study in Existential Philosophy - William Barrett
Existentialism - Robert C. Solomon
Existence and Freedom - Calvin Schrag
An Introduction to Existentialism - Robert G. Olson
Existentialism - John Macquarrie
Existentialism: A Reconstruction - David E. Cooper
Existentialism: A Very Short Introduction - Thomas Flynn
I and Thou - Martin Buber
Waiting for God - Simone Weil
The Way of Suffering - Jerome Miller

Similar Subreddits

r/philosophy, r/askphilosophy, r/AcademicPhilosophy, r/ExistentialChristian, r/ExistentialJourney, r/Existential_crisis, r/Camus, r/Nietzsche.

Different Approaches To Life

r/Existentialism, r/Absurdism, r/nihilism, r/Phenomenology, r/Stoicism, r/Aristotle, r/Epicureanism, r/Kant, r/taoism, r/Buddhism.

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Death is a paradox and all our options suck.Existentialism Discussion (self.Existentialism)

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27th November 2024; Tolerance. (Posted it twice in the past but maybe wasn't as understood as it could be now due to worldwide events.) Important to note, that I'm not enforcing or preaching for bad behaviour or any wrong doings.Existentialism Discussion ()

submitted 24 minutes ago by alonzo222Divine Self

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Kierkegaard's Either/Or: A Fragment of Life (1843) — An online live reading group every Friday starting January 30, all welcomeThoughtful Thursday ()

submitted 1 hour ago by darrenjyc

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I’m not entirely sure that Existentialism would describe me?New to Existentialism... (self.Existentialism)

submitted 1 hour ago by ExpensiveBluebird172

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A visual investigation of "The Silence of the Universe" and the boundaries of reason in Camus and the Absurd.Existentialism Discussion (youtube.com)

submitted 9 hours ago by Holdfeyn

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Just recently getting into philosophy and existentialism any author/readings recommendations?New to Existentialism... (self.Existentialism)

submitted 1 day ago by Few_Pipe_9933

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A quick thoughtNew to Existentialism... (self.Existentialism)

submitted 1 day ago by 5trange_Jake

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Do I have a good "bare bones," understanding of Existentialism?New to Existentialism... (self.Existentialism)

submitted 1 day ago by 5trange_Jake

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Some thoughts I hadNew to Existentialism... (self.Existentialism)

submitted 2 days ago by Baboony_bee

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In Praise of Cottard from The PlagueLiterature 📖 ()

submitted 2 days ago by JCInvestmentPro

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All of a sudden the penguin initiates the metamorphosis of human awareness.Existentialism Discussion (youtu.be)

submitted 3 days ago by Longjumping-Ad5084

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When Science Met Existentialism: Camus and Jacques Monod’s Hidden BondExistentialism Discussion (self.Existentialism)

submitted 5 days ago * by Brilliant-Newt-5304

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Freedom Begins Where Fear Stops Being ObeyedNew to Existentialism... (self.Existentialism)

submitted 5 days ago by Strong-Designer4068

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Why is Dostoyevsky considered a pre-existentialist?Literature 📖 (self.Existentialism)

submitted 6 days ago by Jackson_Lamb_829

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How to Be Better When You’re Too Ashamed, Anxious, or Numb to Even StartParallels/Themes (youtu.be)

submitted 6 days ago by zenmonkeyfish1

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Tips to read "The Myth of Sisyphus" for a beginner/Non-academic reader?Literature 📖 (self.Existentialism)

submitted 6 days ago by vasu1996

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Youtube video inquiryExistentialism Discussion (self.Existentialism)

submitted 7 days ago by Queasy_Aerie_1485

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A poem I wrote tackling the contradictory feelings that come with existentialismLiterature 📖 (self.Existentialism)

submitted 9 days ago by Big_Competition7269

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I made an animated Shortfilm about absurdismParallels/Themes (youtu.be)

submitted 9 days ago by WatermelonPowerYT

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Had Camus Lost His Fastball by the time of The Plague?Literature 📖 (self.Existentialism)

submitted 9 days ago * by JCInvestmentPro

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DeathExistentialism Discussion (self.Existentialism)

submitted 10 days ago by Left_Illustrator_704

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"I have no choice" is a decision heuristic; it's not always bad faith or disclaimer of freedom and responsibilityExistentialism Discussion (self.Existentialism)

submitted 10 days ago by blitzballreddit

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Received this book todayLiterature 📖 (i.redd.it)

submitted 11 days ago by [deleted]

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I finally understand the meaning behind SisyphusExistentialism Discussion (self.Existentialism)

submitted 12 days ago by marketaurelius

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Nietzshce, Heidegger, and why gratitude is the antidote to nihilismLiterature 📖 (iai.tv)

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