The historical development of existentialism is deeply intertwined with the cultural, political, and philosophical contexts of the 19th and 20th centuries. Several key phases and figures can examine its emergence as a powerful contingent of the atheist camp and its relevance in the atomic age and times of uncertainty.
Origins and Philosophical Foundations
As a philosophical movement, existentialism began to take shape in the 19th Century, drawing on the works of Søren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche. While not explicitly aligned with atheism initially—Kierkegaard was a devout Christian—these thinkers laid the groundwork for existentialism by emphasizing individual existence, freedom, and choice over abstract, theoretical systems. Kierkegaard critiqued the prevailing Christian Church and emphasized a personal, subjective relationship with God, setting the stage for later existentialists to explore themes of angst, despair, and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe.
Nietzsche, on the other hand, proclaimed “God is dead” and delved into the implications of this for morality, truth, and the self. His work profoundly influenced existentialism’s development, particularly in its atheistic contingent, by challenging traditional values and asserting the importance of individual will and power.
20th Century and the Rise of Atheistic Existentialism
In the 20th Century, existentialism became more formally recognized as a philosophical movement, with key figures such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and Albert Camus expanding its scope and application. Sartre, in particular, is often associated with explicitly articulating existentialism as an atheistic philosophy. In works like “Being and Nothingness” and “Existentialism is a Humanism,” Sartre argued that existence precedes essence, meaning that individuals first exist and then define themselves through their actions, without any predetermined essence given by God or nature. This assertion underpinned the existentialist belief in radical freedom and responsibility, themes that resonated deeply in a world recovering from the devastations of two World Wars.
Existentialism in the Atomic Age
The mid-20th Century, especially the period following World War II and the onset of the Cold War, marked a time of heightened existentialist thought, often referred to as the Atomic Age. The existential threat of nuclear war and the specter of annihilation cast a long shadow over humanity, leading to a profound questioning of existence, meaning, and the value of human endeavors in the face of potential oblivion. During this time, existentialist ideas were expressed in philosophy and literature, theater, and film, reflecting the pervasive anxiety and uncertainty of the era.
Some personal heroes from this era include de Beauvoir, Sartre, and Camus, who addressed the cruelty and absurdity of existence and the human condition in a world where traditional sources of meaning seemed increasingly untenable. Their works and those of other existentialists of this period explored themes of alienation, freedom, and the search for authenticity amidst the threat of nuclear and/or global annihilation.
Existentialism’s Enduring Relevance
In recent times, with ongoing global political and economic crises, existentialism offers a powerful lens through which to analyze and explore the nature of being. The existentialist emphasis on individual freedom, responsibility, and the subjective search for meaning remains resonant in a world facing global challenges, including climate change, technological disruption, and the continued threat of nuclear proliferation.
The existentialist response to these conditions is not one of despair but rather a call to action and engagement with the world. By recognizing the absurdity of existence while affirming the possibility of individual agency and meaning-making, existentialism provides a framework for confronting uncertainty and creating a life of authenticity and significance.
The historical trajectory of existentialism, tracing back to its philosophical genesis in the 19th Century with luminaries like Kierkegaard and Nietzsche, through its crystallization in the 20th Century amid the horrors of two World Wars, delineates its profound impact on contemporary thought. This evolution witnessed existentialism’s transformation into a robust strand of atheistic philosophy, most notably through the contributions of Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir. Their articulation of existentialist thought, emphasizing the importance of individual existence, choice, and the absence of inherent meaning in the universe, starkly contrasted with the theistic and deterministic philosophies that preceded them. Sartre’s declaration that “existence precedes essence” encapsulates this shift, challenging individuals to forge their own paths and meanings in an indifferent universe.
The atomic age, marked by the Cold War’s specter of nuclear annihilation, propelled existentialist thought to new heights. This era’s unique existential dread, with humanity teetering on the brink of self-inflicted oblivion, found resonance in the existentialist contemplation of absurdity, freedom, and isolation. Works like Camus’s “The Myth of Sisyphus” eloquently addressed the absurdity of human life and the pursuit of meaning amidst seemingly insurmountable odds. Meanwhile, Sartre’s engagement with politics and social issues demonstrated existentialism’s applicability beyond the philosophical realm, influencing civil rights movements, anti-colonial struggles, and debates on freedom and oppression.
In contemporary times, amidst global uncertainties and existential threats ranging from climate change to technological upheaval, existentialism’s core precepts—centered on individuality, ethical responsibility, and constructing meaning in a contingent world—remain profoundly relevant. Its insistence on the individual’s capacity to navigate the inherent uncertainties of existence, confront the absurd, and actively engage in creating a self-determined life offers a powerful counter-narrative to feelings of powerlessness and nihilism.
The existentialist ethos, emphasizing authenticity and living per one’s chosen values, provides a robust framework for addressing contemporary moral and existential dilemmas. It encourages a reflective and active stance towards life’s challenges, advocating for a deeply personal yet universally resonant approach to understanding the human condition.
Existentialism’s enduring significance lies in its historical development and philosophical contributions and its capacity to inspire resilience, creativity, and a profound sense of agency in times of crisis and change. By continually affirming the possibility of meaning-making and ethical living in an uncertain world, existentialism remains a vital and compelling lens through which to navigate the complexities of contemporary life.
Ángel Rafael Vázquez-Concepción 