Question

Which options are TRUE of 'Existentialism'?
(A). Focus on radical individual freedom.
(B). Albert Camus and Jean-Paul Sartre are thinkers/writers associated with this movement.
(C). The absurdity of human existence is one of the major themes.
(D). Its immediate inspiration was the French Revolution.
Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

• A. (A), (B) and (C) only.
• B. (A), (B) and (D) only.
• C. (A), (B), (C) and (D).
• D. (B), (C) and (D) only.

Hint:

Remember the existentialist mantra: "Existence precedes essence." This core idea directly leads to the themes of freedom, choice, responsibility, and the anxiety (or "angst") that comes with this radical freedom.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
The question asks to identify the correct statements describing Existentialism, a major philosophical and literary movement of the 20th century.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let's evaluate each statement:
\[\begin{array}{rl} \bullet & \text{(A) Focus on radical individual freedom. This is TRUE. A central tenet of existentialism is the idea that "existence precedes essence," meaning individuals are born without a predefined purpose and must define their own lives through their choices and actions. This places a huge emphasis on individual freedom and responsibility. } \\ \bullet & \text{(B) Albert Camus and Jean-Paul Sartre are thinkers/writers associated with this movement. This is TRUE. Jean-Paul Sartre is the most famous proponent of existentialism. Albert Camus, while he rejected the label, is a central figure whose works (like The Myth of Sisyphus) are cornerstone texts for exploring existential themes. } \\ \bullet & \text{(C) The absurdity of human existence is one of the major themes. This is TRUE. Existentialists, particularly Camus, explore the "absurd" – the conflict between humanity's tendency to seek inherent value and meaning in life and the inability to find any in a meaningless, purposeless universe. } \\ \bullet & \text{(D) Its immediate inspiration was the French Revolution. This is FALSE. Existentialism has its roots in 19th-century philosophers like Kierkegaard and Nietzsche and flourished in the mid-20th century, particularly in the aftermath of the World Wars, which created a climate of disillusionment and a questioning of traditional values. The French Revolution (1789) is from a much earlier period. } \\ \end{array}\] Thus, statements (A), (B), and (C) are true.

Step 3: Final Answer:
The correct option is (A).