Qaiser Abbas

A philosophy that emphasizes the

uniqueness and isolation of the individual
experience in a hostile or indifferent
universe, regards human existence as
unexplainable, and stresses freedom of
choice and responsibility for the
consequences of ones acts.
humanity isnt part of an orderly universe; rather
individuals create their own realities.

Existentialism became popular in post World

War years as a way for humans to reassert
the importance of individuality and freedom.
Became a well known philosophical and
cultural movement from 1930s-1970s.
Soren Kierkegaard

1813-1855

Friedrich Nietzsche
1843-1900
Jean-PaulSartre
1905-1980

Soren Kiekergaard
Viewed as Father of Existentialism
Felt individual was responsible for giving life
meaning and living that life passionately
Focused on subjective experiences of
humans rather than the objective truths
provided by math and science

Focuses on conditions of human existence:

Emotions
Actions
Responsibilities
Thoughts
Meaning or purpose of life

Existence precedes essence basically

describes what an existentialist believes
about metaphysics.
They believe there is no human nature:
people exist, and each creates his/her own
essence.
A persons behaviour cannot be compared to
someone elses. Each individual is unique

 Existentialists

believe that knowledge is

mainly gained through experience in our
everyday lives.

They

feel that too much intellectual

analysis interferes with and active
participation in life.

 Existentialists

are ones which pick and

choose their own values and morals. To
them, choice is everything.
Each person lives according to different
choices and morals which each person
alone defines.
They do no believe in actual right or
wrong choices because they believe that,
for every choice made, one can assume
the person has chosen what they felt was
right for them.

A educational philosophy built on a viewpoint

in which school curriculum and instruction
should encourage deep personal reflection on
ones identity, commitments, and choices.

Teacher must facilitate choices for students.

Let the child take the first step and the
teacher guide the next.
Teachers prepare students for success and
failure.
When schools give children the freedom to
make choices they are helping the child
develop their identity and authentic self.