Life’s biggest question haunts us all – does fate determine our purpose, or do we shape it ourselves? The concept of existence before essence challenges traditional philosophical thinking with a bold idea. We exist first and then define who we become.
Humans stand apart from objects that serve predefined purposes. We don’t follow any fixed nature or inherent identity. Jean-Paul Sartre captured this existentialist belief perfectly: “Man first of all exists, encounters himself, surges up in the world — and defines himself afterwards”. This view completely changes how we understand human essence. The meaning behind existence preceding essence shows how we create our own values and determine meaning through our consciousness. From daily experiences to deep philosophical questions, this concept shapes our understanding of freedom and responsibility.
This piece will break down what existence precedes essence truly means and get into practical examples. The concept remains central to existentialist thought. We’ll also explore the anxiety that comes with such radical freedom and ways to live authentically in a world without predetermined meaning.
Existence before essence: meaning and background
The philosophical idea that existence precedes essence completely flips traditional philosophical thinking on its head. Philosophers throughout history believed that a thing’s essence or nature mattered more than its mere existence. Existentialist thinking challenges this view.
Definition in simple terms
“Existence precedes essence” means we first exist as humans, and then we shape who we are through our choices and actions. You won’t find any preset human nature or identity before birth. We create our own values and decide what matters as we live our lives.
This flip in thinking sits at the heart of existentialist philosophy. Existentialists believe human beings don’t have any built-in identity or value before they exist. People must create these through their own actions that give meaning to their existence. The responsibility to become who we are falls entirely on us.
Sartre’s quote from ‘Existentialism is a Humanism’
Jean-Paul Sartre brought this concept to light in his groundbreaking 1945 lecture “Existentialism Is a Humanism.” His words became the most powerful description of existentialist thought. Sartre explains:
“What do we mean by saying that existence precedes essence? We mean that man first of all exists, encounters himself, surges up in the world – and defines himself afterwards” [1].
Sartre saw humans as fundamentally different from objects like pens or triangles that people make with specific purposes. A paper cutter has its purpose (essence) before it exists, while humans come with no such preset purpose.
“Man is nothing else but what he makes of himself” [1], Sartre declares. Nothing about us comes predetermined or fixed. Our choices, actions, and projects in the world shape who we become.
How it challenges religious and essentialist views
This existentialist stance challenges religious and essentialist beliefs about fixed human nature or predetermined purposes. Religious thinking usually assumes God has a plan for humans before creating them—essence comes before existence. Existentialism rejects this completely.
Sartre champions atheistic existentialism: “if God does not exist there is at least one being whose existence comes before its essence… That being is man” [1]. Without God, humans can’t have a preset nature or purpose. We must create our own values rather than find them in some “intelligible heaven” [1].
Sartre points to Dostoevsky’s profound moral challenge: “If God did not exist, everything would be permitted” [1]. Universal values need no divine authority. Humans must build their own ethical frameworks while taking “complete and profound responsibility” for their choices [1].
The existentialist point of view clashes with essentialism’s claim that existence depends on core traits that define something. Essentialists think people come with hardwired purposes. Existentialists believe we exist first and must actively create meaning in an otherwise meaningless world.
This radical philosophical stance puts the task of creating meaning squarely on human shoulders. The result? Unprecedented freedom paired with enormous responsibility.
How we create meaning through action
Life’s meaning isn’t something we find—we build it through our choices and actions. The existentialist perspective shows that meaning comes from how we live rather than being preset before we exist.
Existence precedes essence examples
Existentialists believe that existence comes before essence, pointing to our ability to define ourselves through action. Sartre tells us that humans create their values and add meaning to their lives through their actions, not through what they naturally are. People start with no identity or belief system—they make their existence meaningful only through their actions.
Here are some examples:
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Nobody starts out courageous—they become brave by taking bold actions when scared
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Artists aren’t born—they evolve through practice and creation
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Parents learn to nurture—they grow into this role through consistent care
Yes, it is worth looking at Sartre’s lion example. He points out that a lion becomes a lion after it exists, which means its “essence” as a lion doesn’t matter before its existence. He believes things exist first, and then people see their essence.
The role of choice in shaping identity
Our identity needs freedom—knowing how to make choices about who we are. All the same, this freedom brings huge responsibility to own up to what we choose. Sartre called this being “condemned to be free,” highlighting our duty to own the life we create.
Existentialists believe personality doesn’t come from a preset model or specific purpose. Each choice we make supports a value that shapes who we become. Kierkegaard compared this awareness of freedom to a kind of “dizziness.”
Existential therapy builds on this idea. It looks at identity as something that changes based on our choices, values, and what life’s experiences mean to us. Unlike fixed approaches, existentialists don’t believe in a set essence—just the ongoing journey of creating ourselves through conscious choices.
Why actions matter more than intentions
We end up judging ourselves by what we mean to do, while others judge us by what we actually do. This creates a gap between how we see ourselves and how others see us. Even with the best motives, if our actions don’t match them, people will misunderstand us.
“The road to hell is paved with good intentions” rings true here. Nobody can see intentions—they only see what we do. In existentialist thinking, your actions define you more than your plans ever will.
Sartre says cowards aren’t that way because of tough childhoods or genes. “He makes himself a coward” through his decisions. Someone who acts cruelly becomes cruel through those actions, whatever their intentions might be.
Existentialists find this responsibility freeing, despite its weight. We’re not stuck with who we are—we can always choose different actions to become someone else. Napoleon Hill put it well: “Good intentions are useless until they are expressed in appropriate actions!”
The anxiety of freedom and responsibility
Freedom can terrify us as much as it liberates. This profound insight lies at the heart of existentialist philosophy, where our burden of choice creates a special kind of anxiety. We face this existential dread because we know existence comes before essence—we shape ourselves through our choices without any preset guidelines.
Kierkegaard’s ‘dizziness of freedom’
Søren Kierkegaard captured this anxiety brilliantly with his concept of “the dizziness of freedom.” Anxiety hits us at the time we face endless possibilities. Picture yourself at a cliff’s edge—what scares you isn’t just the fall, but the unsettling knowledge that nothing prevents us from jumping except our own choice not to do so.
This feeling hits us because we realize we can make life-changing decisions any moment. Kierkegaard puts it this way: “anxiety is the dizziness of freedom, which emerges when the spirit wants to posit the synthesis and freedom looks down into its own possibility.” Our anxiety doesn’t come from outside threats but from our inner freedom—knowing no mental barriers stop us from making radical choices.
Sartre’s ‘condemned to be free’
Jean-Paul Sartre took this idea further with his famous words that humans are “condemned to be free.” We can’t escape our freedom—we must always choose, and choosing not to choose becomes a choice itself. Without God or preset moral laws, we lack outside validation to our decisions.
“If God does not exist,” Sartre said, echoing Dostoevsky, “everything would be permitted.” Without divine guidance setting universal values, we create our own ethical frameworks and carry “complete and profound responsibility” for our choices. This responsibility reaches beyond us—our choices shape what we see as valuable for everyone.
Why freedom can be overwhelming
Our existential freedom overwhelms us because:
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We must create ourselves without any roadmap
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We bear responsibility not just for ourselves but for how we see humanity
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We can’t make excuses—our nature, God, or society don’t determine who we become
People often run from this anxiety through self-deception. Some follow the crowd and let others decide. Others stick to strict routines or rigid beliefs to avoid facing endless possibilities. Many turn to alcohol or drugs to dull freedom’s anxiety. These escapes come at a heavy price—they eat away at our authentic self and reduce our psychological strength.
Existential anxiety isn’t something we should try to get rid of. It comes naturally with human freedom—the price we pay to create who we are after we exist.
Living authentically in a meaningless world
Life without inherent meaning raises a crucial question: how should we live? Existentialists suggest the answer lies in staying authentic even when faced with life’s absurdity.
What does it mean to live authentically?
Authenticity means staying true to yourself instead of following what society expects from you. The existentialist view sees authentic people as those who follow their genuine desires despite pressure to conform [2]. Life throws us into an absurd world we didn’t create – a condition called Geworfenheit. We must face this reality while staying true to ourselves. Our absolute freedom might feel uncomfortable, but it remains vital to live genuinely [2]. Kierkegaard believed personal authenticity comes from finding your path and staying true despite society’s moral compromises.
Camus and the myth of Sisyphus
Albert Camus used the myth of Sisyphus to show this existential challenge. Sisyphus had to roll a boulder up a mountain repeatedly, just to watch it roll back down [3]. Yet Camus reaches a surprising conclusion: “One must imagine Sisyphus happy” [3]. The reason? Sisyphus lives authentically by fully accepting the clash between our search for meaning and the universe’s “unreasonable silence” [3].
Sisyphus turns his punishment into victory by accepting his fate without giving up. Camus writes, “The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man’s heart” [3]. The moment Sisyphus walks down the mountain, he becomes fully aware of his situation—this awareness becomes his triumph [4]. He shows us how to face “the certainty of a crushing fate, without the resignation that ought to accompany it” [4].
Nietzsche’s Ăśbermensch and self-overcoming
Nietzsche presents the Ăśbermensch (Superman) as another model for authentic living. The Ăśbermensch surpasses traditional morality and creates their own values [5]. They don’t seek comfort in religion or conformity but embrace self-overcoming (SelbstĂĽberwindung)—constantly pushing past their limits [6].
Nietzsche’s famous words ring true: “What does not kill me, makes me stronger” [6]. We grow stronger by facing our struggles head-on. The Ăśbermensch creates meaning through passionate involvement with life itself instead of searching for it elsewhere [7]. Both Camus and Nietzsche teach us that authenticity comes from facing life’s meaninglessness directly rather than trying to escape it.
Critiques and alternative views
The existentialist viewpoint on human freedom sounds compelling, yet many philosophers disagree with the notion that existence comes before essence. Notable thinkers have presented different viewpoints that question this key existentialist belief.
Heidegger’s disagreement with Sartre
Martin Heidegger, who shaped Sartre’s original thinking, ended up rejecting Sartre’s take on his philosophy. We are fundamentally “being-in-the-world,” Heidegger argued, and we cannot separate ourselves from the web of meanings around us. Sartre’s mind-body separation troubled him because it reduced human life to an object we could analyze. Human experience resists complete objectification since the observer and the observed remain inseparable.
The determinist challenge to free will
Determinism stands as the strongest challenge to existentialist freedom. Brain research shows that consciousness emerges from physical brain activity, and brain damage affects consciousness directly. This suggests our essence shapes our existence, as our genes and environment create a nature that limits our choices. Yet our nature must allow for self-transcendence since we can sometimes surpass our limitations.
Nietzsche’s rejection of both free and unfree will
Friedrich Nietzsche took a unique stance by rejecting both free and unfree will as flawed concepts. The whole debate seemed mistaken to him because it confused our descriptions of reality with reality itself. He dismissed the concept of “causa sui”—where something creates itself. Strong and weak will mattered more in real life, according to his viewpoint.
Conclusion
People have always struggled with big questions about purpose and meaning. The existentialist principle that existence precedes essence gives us a fresh way to think about it. We don’t come into this world with preset purposes – we create ourselves through our choices and actions. This viewpoint makes us the authors of our own stories instead of characters following a script someone else wrote.
Existentialism brings both freedom and responsibility. Our freedom becomes our greatest gift and our heaviest burden at the same time. Unlike objects made for specific purposes, humans face the challenge of defining themselves in a world that lacks inherent meaning. This explains why freedom can feel overwhelming to many people. Kierkegaard described it as a kind of “dizziness” that comes from having endless possibilities.
All the same, this philosophical viewpoint strengthens us. Our actions shape who we are more than our intentions, which shows we can always reinvent ourselves. Someone who acts brave becomes brave. A person who creates art becomes an artist. Who we are comes from what we do, not what we’re born as.
On top of that, it lets us be authentic because meaning isn’t set in stone. Camus’ Sisyphus faces endless futility but finds dignity by embracing his situation. Nietzsche’s Ăśbermensch creates values rather than looking for them elsewhere. Both show how we can live meaningful lives even if the universe doesn’t care.
Of course, this existentialist approach has its critics. Heidegger questioned how Sartre separated subject from object. Determinists point out how biology and environment limit our freedom. Even Nietzsche rejected the usual idea of free will.
The idea that existence comes before essence helps us get into our lives more deeply. Complete freedom might not exist, but knowing we help create ourselves encourages more intentional living. We make meaning through our actions, relationships, and choices instead of trying to find it somewhere else.
Without doubt, living this way isn’t easy. Freedom’s anxiety can feel too much, pushing people toward self-deception or following the crowd. But facing this head-on lets us live authentically – not because we have to, but because we choose to.
Key Takeaways
Understanding existentialism’s core principle reveals how we actively create meaning rather than discover predetermined purpose, empowering us to live more intentionally and authentically.
• You create your identity through actions, not inheritance – Unlike objects with predetermined purposes, humans exist first and define themselves through choices and behaviors, not fixed nature or essence.
• Freedom brings both liberation and overwhelming responsibility – We’re “condemned to be free,” meaning every choice shapes who we become while bearing complete responsibility for our decisions and their consequences.
• Actions define you more than intentions – What you do matters more than what you intend to do, as others judge your character by observable behavior rather than internal motivations.
• Authenticity requires embracing life’s meaninglessness – Living authentically means creating your own values and purpose despite the universe’s indifference, like Camus’ Sisyphus finding dignity in his eternal struggle.
• Anxiety signals your freedom to choose – The “dizziness of freedom” you feel when facing unlimited possibilities is natural evidence of your capacity for self-creation and transformation.
This existentialist framework challenges us to stop seeking external validation for our choices and instead embrace the profound responsibility of authoring our own existence through conscious action.
FAQs
Q1. What does “existence precedes essence” mean in existentialism? This concept, introduced by Jean-Paul Sartre, suggests that humans exist first and then define themselves through their actions and choices. Unlike objects with predetermined purposes, we create our own meaning and identity as we live.
Q2. How does the idea of existence preceding essence challenge traditional views? It challenges religious and essentialist perspectives by proposing that humans don’t have a predetermined nature or purpose. Instead, we are responsible for creating our own values and meaning in life, rather than discovering them from an external source.
Q3. Why is freedom considered anxiety-inducing in existentialist philosophy? The boundless possibilities of choice can be overwhelming. Existentialists like Kierkegaard describe this as the “dizziness of freedom,” where the awareness of our ability to make life-altering decisions at any moment creates a unique form of anxiety.
Q4. How can one live authentically in a world without inherent meaning? Living authentically involves embracing your freedom to create your own values and purpose, despite life’s apparent meaninglessness. It requires facing the absurdity of existence head-on and finding personal meaning through your choices and actions.
Q5. Are there alternative views to the concept of existence preceding essence? Yes, there are critiques and alternative perspectives. For instance, determinists argue that genetic and environmental factors limit our freedom. Heidegger disagreed with Sartre’s interpretation, emphasizing our inseparable connection to the world. Nietzsche rejected both free and unfree will as misconceptions.
References
[1] – https://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/sartre/works/exist/sartre.htm
[2] – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Authenticity_(philosophy)
[3] – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Myth_of_Sisyphus
[4] – https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/camus/
[5] – https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ăśbermensch
[6] – https://eternalisedofficial.com/2020/09/12/friedrich-nietzsche-on-self-overcoming/
[7] – https://translate.google.com/translate?u=https://philosophybreak.com/articles/ubermensch-explained-the-meaning-of-nietzsches-superman/&hl=es&sl=en&tl=es&client=srp
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