EXISTENTIALISM
What is existentialism?
Existentialism is premised on the postulate that Existence precedes essence. What you are (your essence) is the result of your choices (your existence) rather than the reverse. Essence is not destiny. You are what you make yourself to be (Flynn, 2006). To generalize from this personal instance to a wider perspective, existentialism is a kineology (theory of change) premised on the notion that some alterations are initiated through the operation of intrinsic rather than extrinsic drivers - in other words, control is exercised internally. Some consider the 20th century French philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre to be the quintessential existentialist, but 19th century Dane Sǿren Kierkegaard is perhaps a better example because he both stated the original rationale, and experienced a life plagued with the dilemmas it can lead to.
As the pre-Socratic philosopher Heraclitus pointed out, everything in existence is in constant flux to one extent or another. We can either ride with that change, like a wood chip on a flowing river, or we can choose to take action to chart our own course. If we "go with the flow" we are letting determinism set our course - to the extent that we choose what to do, how to do it, and why, we are existentialists. However, just as a human life without any exercise of choice whatsoever is hardly imaginable, so is a life in which every aspect is consciously chosen. Sartre's contention that "everything" is up for choice, does NOT represent the experience of real people (including Sartre himself), but neither does the contention that we are entirely as the mercy of outside, overwhelming forces. We can and do make choices - what we should strive for is "informed choices". Reality is, to a considerable extent, the outcome of the implications and consequences of those choices.
How does existentialism manifest itself?
To be in a position to make choices, it is necessary to be aware that alternatives exist for which decisions can be made. If a person is not conscious of such alternatives at any particular juncture, the whole consideration of choices is irrelevant. To the extent that one is aware of alternatives, but is not fully informed about either the implications or the consequences of any particular choice, one can hardly be held "fully responsible". But being unaware or uninformed is the state of mind of most people - so expecting radical existentialism from them is "unrealistic"! Individuals can, however, decide for themselves to inquire about their alternatives, and reflect upon what they will do, and why, and where this will lead, and when. In doing so, the biggest challenges they are likely to encounter, are conflicts of values, within and with others.
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