Which statement best reflects existentialism's chief concern?

• A. The chief concern is individualism.
• B. Existentialists reject any form of personal freedom.
• C. Existentialists focus on universal values rather than individual choices.
• D. Existentialists believe in predetermined roles.

Answer: (A)

Existentialism centers on how individuals experience freedom and take responsibility for creating meaning in a world that doesn’t supply it for you. The most accurate way to reflect this focus is to highlight individualism—the idea that a person must define who they are through their own choices and actions. Think of it as existing first and then choosing who to become through what you do, even when external rules or traditions try to dictate your path. This awareness of personal freedom and the responsibility to shape your own life is at the heart of existential thought. It also helps explain why universal prescriptions or fixed, predetermined roles don’t align with existentialism: meaning comes from authentic, self-directed choices rather than fitting into a prewritten script.