The philosophical movement known as Existentialism became popular after World War II, but the existential system of thought can be traced back to earlier thinkers such as Soren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche. Existentialism is not a school of philosophy, but refers to a number of related philosophical beliefs such as individual freedom and subjectivity. As a movement, Jean-Paul SartreÆs 1946 lecture, ôExistentialism is a Humanism,ö in which he states ôexistence precedes essence,ö provides the major precepts of the philosophy. Both Sartre and Nietzsche are atheistic existentialists, and while there are parallels between their thought, there are also major differences. This paper will compare and contrast Sartre and NietzscheÆs views on existentialism.
Both men agree that human beings are free to do as they choose, and that life is not pre-determined. According to Sartre, the first principle of existentialismùwhat is called its subjectivityùit that ôMan is nothing else but that which he makes of himselfö (Existentialism is a Humanism). Human beings are therefore responsible for what they are, and entirely responsible for their existence. Sartre adds that human beings are not just responsible for their own individuality, but responsible for all people. ôIf, moreover, existence precedes essence and we will to exist at the same time as we fashion our image, that image is valid for allà.ö (Existentialism is a Humanism). Human beings strive to create moral values to give meaning to life.
Nietzsche agrees that it is human beings who give meaning to life by creating moral values. In Thus Spoke
Zarathustra, Nietzsche states that out of a personÆs catalog of good and evil speaks ôthe voice of their will to powerö (I.15). Nietzsche interpreted existence in terms of evolution, focusing on the biological urge toward survival, and taking the shape of a ôwill to power.ö Life then is a continual attempt to provide ...