What is existence? What is philosophy? What does it mean to be human? Can existence be justified? What is mental illness in existential terms? What role does power play in the existential concept of freedom? What is reality? Existentialism: An Introduction is a unique and contemporary textbook that goes beyond the traditional treatment of this important philosophical movement. The textbook starts by introducing the reader to key themes and then moves on to discuss specific debates in the field. Lewis Gordon aims to offer a diverse understanding of existential thought from throughout history by discussing developments and debates in Europe, Africa, Asia and the Americas. Key movements examined include: Existential pragmatism Existential feminism Africana and black existentialism Existential Marxism Conservatism Liberalism Hermeneutical existentialism Queer theory With lively examples, chapter summaries and further reading throughout this outstanding textbook equips the reader with a thorough knowledge of existentialism, ideal for students approaching the subject for the first time.