The Most Famous Existentialist, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the Existentialist you think is the most famous!
Updated on Apr 29, 2024 07:06
In a world cluttered with diverse philosophical schools of thought, existentialism stands out for delving deep into the human condition, pondering the essence of existence and the struggles inherent to it. Understanding which thinkers have shaped this philosophy most profoundly helps both students and enthusiasts grasp the nuances of such a pivotal intellectual movement.
By participating in voting for the most influential existentialist thinkers, users contribute to a clearer consensus on which voices have driven the boldest discussions and left the largest impacts on contemporary thought. This process not only enriches the understanding of the philosophy itself but also assists in highlighting key texts and theories that continue to challenge our perspectives on free will, choice, and the very nature of existence.
Who Is the Most Famous Existentialist?
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148votesJean-Paul Sartre - considered the father of Existentialism, his works such as "Being and Nothingness" and "No Exit" have become canonical in the field.Jean-Paul Sartre in other rankings
- Position 4 of 10 in Most famous French author
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous French person
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249votes
Friedrich Hermann Hartmann · Public domainFriedrich Nietzsche
Friedrich NietzscheFriedrich Nietzsche - while not an Existentialist in the strict sense, Nietzsche's ideas of self-creation, the death of God, and the will to power have influenced the movement greatly.Friedrich Nietzsche was a German philosopher and cultural critic who is considered one of the most challenging philosophers to read. His works are characterized by their complex and often contradictory ideas, aphoristic writing style, and extensive use of metaphor and rhetoric. Nietzsche scrutinized various philosophical, moral, and cultural assumptions prevalent in Western society, questioning traditional values and advocating for a reevaluation of morality, religion, and human existence. His philosophy has had a profound influence on various disciplines including philosophy, literature, psychology, and anthropology.- Aphoristic Writing Style: Nietzsche's works are often composed in short, concise statements or aphorisms that require careful interpretation.
- Idea of Eternal Recurrence: Nietzsche proposed the concept of eternal recurrence, suggesting that all events in the universe would recur infinitely.
- Will to Power: Nietzsche theorized that the driving force behind all human actions is the will to power, asserting that power is the fundamental determinant of human behavior.
- Death of God: Nietzsche famously proclaimed the death of God, signaling the decline of traditional religious beliefs and the need for new values and meaning.
- Master-Slave Morality: Nietzsche critiqued traditional moral systems, arguing that they are rooted in a slave mentality that suppresses individual potential and creativity.
Friedrich Nietzsche in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous misanthrope
- Position 3 of 10 in Most difficult philosopher to read
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous INTJ
- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous philosopher of all time
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous INTP
- Position 9 of 10 in Most famous Hedonist philosopher
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336votesMartin Heidegger is a philosopher who developed a unique brand of Existentialism that focused on the concept of Being, his works include "Being and Time" and "What Is Metaphysics?".Martin Heidegger in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most difficult philosopher to read
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47votesSimone de Beauvoir is a feminist philosopher who applied Existentialism to the question of gender, her works include "The Second Sex" and "The Ethics of Ambiguity".Simone de Beauvoir in other rankings
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous French author
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515votes
Photograph by United Press International · Public domainAlbert Camus is a writer and philosopher who explored the absurdity of life in works such as "The Stranger" and "The Myth of Sisyphus".Albert Camus in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most famous French author
- Position 10 of 10 in Most famous misanthrope
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69votes
La Biblioteca Real de Dinamarca · Public domainSøren Kierkegaard is often considered a precursor to Existentialism, Kierkegaard's works such as "Fear and Trembling" and "Either/Or" explored the individual's relationship to God and society.Søren Kierkegaard in other rankings- Position 8 of 10 in Most famous philosopher of all time
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74votes
Atelier Jacobi: Sigismund Jacobi (1860–1935) · Public domainFranz Kafka is a writer whose works such as "The Metamorphosis" and "The Trial" explore the absurdity and alienation of modern life. Kafka's themes have been influential in Existentialist literature.Franz Kafka in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most famous Czech
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous short story writer
- Position 6 of 10 in Most famous misanthrope
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88votesMartin Buber is a philosopher who developed the concept of the I-Thou relationship, which emphasizes mutual respect and recognition between individuals. His work has been influential in Existentialist ethics.
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98votes
Agence de presse Meurisse · Public domainMiguel de Unamuno is a Spanish writer and philosopher who explored the concept of the tragic sense of life, which emphasizes the struggle between reason and faith. His works include "The Tragic Sense of Life" and "Niebla". -
105votesMaurice Merleau-Ponty is a philosopher who explored the relationship between perception and ontology, his works include "Phenomenology of Perception" and "The Visible and the Invisible". His ideas have been influential in Existentialist phenomenology.
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Discussion
Ranking factors for famous Existentialist
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1) Impact and influenceConsider the extent to which the philosopher's works have impacted the field of Existentialism and broader philosophical discourse.
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2) PopularityTake into account the philosopher's popularity and recognition among academics and the general public.
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3) Contribution to the fieldConsider the philosopher's specific contributions to the theory and practice of Existentialism.
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4) Quality of workAssess the philosophical quality and rigor of the philosopher's ideas and concepts.
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5) Historical significanceConsider the philosopher's historical context and the role they played in shaping philosophical discourse and thought during their time.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most famous Existentialist. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Existentialist is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1641 views
- 183 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Existentialist once every 24 hours. The rank of each Existentialist is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most famous existentialist
Existentialism is a philosophical movement that originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is a school of thought that emphasizes individual freedom and choice, the search for meaning in life, and the inevitability of death. Existentialism rejects the notion that there is any inherent meaning or purpose in life, and instead emphasizes the importance of creating one's own meaning and purpose.
Some of the most famous existentialist thinkers include Jean-Paul Sartre, Friedrich Nietzsche, Martin Heidegger, and Albert Camus. Each of these philosophers brought their own unique perspective to the movement, but they all shared a common interest in exploring the nature of human existence and the human condition.
When it comes to determining the most famous existentialist, opinions may vary. However, many would argue that Jean-Paul Sartre is the most well-known and influential figure in the movement. Sartre was a prolific writer, playwright, and philosopher who was deeply committed to the exploration of existentialist themes. His works, including "Being and Nothingness" and "No Exit," continue to be widely read and studied today.
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