Final answer:
Existentialists believe that the experience of relatedness to other humans is characterized by authenticity and personal responsibility, arising from the idea that existence precedes essence. This relationship is shaped by the ethical choices and actions an individual takes, reflecting a deeply personal engagement with the human condition.
Step-by-step explanation:
Existentialists argue that the experience of relatedness to other human beings is characterized by authenticity and a sense of personal responsibility. The philosophy of existentialism posits that existence precedes essence, meaning that individuals first exist and then define their essence through their actions and choices. This personal freedom that defines existence is also what necessitates a profound responsibility toward others; our choices and actions contribute to the shaping of the world and the human experience within it.
Our interpersonal connections are defined not by pre-existing structures or the natural traits we possess, but by the genuine engagements and ethical decisions we make in the context of our lives. The way we relate to others is an authentic expression of our freedom and reflects the self we are continually creating. Phenomenology, a key component of existentialism, explores this aspect by examining immediate human experience and the ethical implications that arise from our direct encounters with others' suffering.
Therefore, in the existentialist view, our relationships are deeply personal, continuously formed, and underscored by the inherent freedom and responsibility that define human existence.