Main Entry:

ex·is·ten·tial·ism

Pronunciation:

\-ˈten(t)-shə-ˌli-zəm\

Function:

noun

Date:

1941

: a chiefly 20th century philosophical movement embracing diverse doctrines but centering on analysis of individual existence in an unfathomable universe and the plight of the individual who must assume ultimate responsibility for acts of free will without any certain knowledge of what is right or wrong or good or bad