Existentialism, a philosophical movement that gained prominence in the mid-20th century, posits a radical conception of human existence: life is not a predetermined script but a blank canvas upon which individuals must paint their own meaning. At its core, existentialism champions the idea that "existence precedes essence." This means that unlike manufactured objects, which are conceived with a specific purpose or essence before they are created, human beings are born into the world without inherent purpose or nature. We are, in Jean-Paul Sartre's famous formulation, "condemned to be free." This freedom, far from being a simple liberty, carries with it the profound and often terrifying burden of responsibility for defining ourselves and creating our own values. Life, in this view, becomes the ultimate do-it-yourself project, demanding constant creation, commitment, and self-definition.
The foundational principle of existentialism, that existence precedes essence, is crucial to understanding life as a DIY project. For a hammer, its essence (its purpose and design) comes before its existence. A carpenter conceives of a hammer's function and then builds it. Humans, however, are not designed. We simply find ourselves existing, thrust into the world without a preordained role or nature. Albert Camus, in The Myth of Sisyphus, illustrates this through the myth of the absurd hero. Sisyphus is condemned to eternally push a boulder up a mountain, only for it to roll back down. His task is inherently meaningless, a metaphor for the human condition in a universe devoid of inherent purpose. Yet, Camus suggests that in acknowledging this absurdity and rebelling against it, Sisyphus can find a form of triumph. His consciousness of his fate, his scorn for the gods, and his commitment to the act of pushing the boulder, however futile, imbue his existence with a subjective meaning. He makes his struggle his own, transforming his punishment into his project.
This radical freedom necessitates absolute responsibility. If there is no divine plan or inherent nature guiding us, then every choice we make is our own, and we are solely accountable for its consequences. Sartre argued that in choosing for ourselves, we are also choosing for all humanity, as our actions contribute to our conception of what it means to be human. This can lead to a profound sense of anguish, a feeling of overwhelming responsibility for the weight of our decisions. For example, a young man in occupied France during World War II, facing the choice between joining the Resistance and staying with his vulnerable mother, experiences this anguish acutely. His decision is not guided by a pre-existing moral code that definitively dictates the "right" path. Instead, he must forge his own moral compass, recognizing that his choice will shape not only his own life but also his understanding of loyalty, courage, and patriotism. The weight of this self-creation is immense.
Furthermore, existentialism emphasizes the importance of authenticity and commitment. Living authentically means embracing our freedom and responsibility, confronting our anxieties, and making choices that align with our self-created values, rather than conforming to societal expectations or succumbing to bad faith. Bad faith, as described by Sartre, involves deceiving ourselves about our freedom, pretending we have no choice or blaming external factors for our actions. An individual who blindly follows a career path dictated by their parents, despite personal dissatisfaction, might be acting in bad faith. They are abdicating their DIY project, allowing others to design their life. Conversely, an artist who chooses to pursue their passion despite financial instability, fully aware of the risks and uncertainties, is engaging in authentic self-creation. Their commitment to their art is a deliberate act of defining their existence and imbuing it with personal significance.
The existentialist perspective, therefore, transforms the act of living into an ongoing creative endeavor. We are not passive recipients of fate but active architects of our own lives. The absence of preordained meaning is not a cause for despair, but an invitation to create it. By embracing our freedom, acknowledging our responsibility, and committing to authentic choices, we engage in the ultimate DIY project: constructing a meaningful self in a universe that offers no ready-made blueprints. This process is undoubtedly challenging, marked by anxiety and doubt, but it is also the source of human dignity and the potential for genuine fulfillment.