In our last blog post, I discussed the factors leading to the rise of Existentialism during the early 20th century. However, existentialism began to wane by the late 20th century, with several factors contributing to its decline.

One of the significant factors was the rise of postmodernism and structuralism. These movements shifted focus from the individual to larger structures of society, language, and culture. They criticized existentialism for being too focused on the subjective and individualistic experience, overlooking societal and structural influences.

Additionally, many argued that existentialism presented a bleak and pessimistic view of life. Its emphasis on life’s absurdity, dread, and despair were criticized for being overly negative, leading to a decline in its popularity.

Moreover, some philosophers found existentialism to be too vague and inconsistent. They argued that existentialism’s focus on individual experience and subjective interpretation made it challenging to formulate a coherent, systematic philosophy.

However, despite its fall, existentialism has left a lasting impact on philosophy and society. Its emphasis on personal freedom and responsibility has influenced various disciplines, from literature and psychology to existential therapy in modern psychotherapy.

The existential crisis – a state of intense anxiety and confusion about one’s purpose and identity – is now a widely recognized psychological phenomenon. Many people continue to grapple with existential questions, particularly in times of personal or societal crisis.

The rise and fall of existentialism form an intriguing chapter in the annals of philosophy. Born out of a tumultuous era, existentialism captured the imagination of a generation, only to decline under the weight of criticism and the rise of competing philosophies. However, its legacy endures, challenging us to confront the existential questions of freedom, meaning, and responsibility in our lives.