The term "the existential" refers to concepts and questions related to existence, meaning, and the human condition. It often explores themes such as freedom, choice, and the search for purpose. Philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir have significantly contributed to existential thought, emphasizing individual experience and responsibility. In literature and art, the existential perspective examines the struggles of characters facing absurdity and isolation. Works by authors such as Franz Kafka and Albert Camus illustrate these themes, prompting readers to reflect on their own lives and the nature of reality.