The experts often disagree about the definition of existentialism, but in general, the term refers to a type of thought that emphasizes existence rather than essence. Here's how one scholar put it: “[G]enerally we can describe thinking as existentialist if it makes existence rather than essence the starting point of its ontological reflections.” Will Herberg. Basically, existentialism is a type of thought that tells people, “don't worry about all those things that seem to define us as individuals–our job, our possessions, our reputation, our physical characteristics, our personality. Those things are secondary, or ancillary, things. First focus on the simple fact that you are; that you exist.”
