Alicia Thomas-Williams
Philosophy of Human Nature
April 16, 2014

Existentialism can be defined as a “philosophical movement oriented toward two major themes the analysis of human existence and the centrality of human choice.” If is a philosophy that implies that one can define his own value or meaning of life in a peace that is void of meaning. There’s also an implication that one has the freedom to choose his or own path. Existentialism is a belief that one has the freedom to make his or her own choices and with his freedom comes individuality, authenticity and responsibility. In order to possess a certain amount of individuality you must have a certain amount of freedom to think in a way that conducive to your way of life. In other words, existentialism is the essence of humanity, the thing that makes us different from anyone and anything else in the world. Merriam-Webster defines freedom as the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint; the quality or state of being free: as a: the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action; liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another. Some years ago when there was slavery, people of color had to do as they were told, they had no freedom. They were told when they could use the restroom, which water fountain to drink from, they had no say so. They couldn’t change the status of slavery unless they were killed or died. Even if they changed owners they was still considered a slave. Victor Frankl’s time and experiences while in the concentration camp was torturous, to say the least, to the extent that his reliance was optimism and faith; however this reliance was yet a decision that he was able to make regardless of the situation of which he was a part. Satre believed one was “condemned to be