Perhaps less predisposed to determinism than stoicism (its members held varying beliefs regarding fate and free will), existentialism was itself a philosophy in a state of emergency -- no longer content to unquestioningly accept previous givens such as God, goodness or purpose, this worldview presents us as 'thrown-into-being' (Heidegger) and quite possibly alone in an absurd world. Thus, it is entirely up to us to negotiate how to get up, begin walking and give meaning to our existence.

¶ 11:45 AM