Final answer:
The philosophical concept expressed by "existence precedes essence" is Existentialism (C), which stresses that humans are born without any predetermined nature and only define their essence through their own choices and actions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The philosophical concept encapsulated by the statement "existence precedes essence" is C) Existentialism. Existentialism is a movement in philosophy that emphasizes individual existence, freedom, and choice. This concept contrasts with other philosophies like essentialism, determinism, and empiricism, which have different views on human nature and the acquisition of knowledge.
According to existentialist thinkers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, humans first come into existence without any predefined essence or purpose. It is only thereafter, through their actions and choices, that they define their essence. Thus, the emphasis is on human freedom and responsibility, as individuals must craft their meaning and values in a universe that does not provide them inherently.
Existentialism fundamentally rejects the idea that there are underlying essences that define what things are or what humans must be. In contrast to other philosophies such as essentialism, which posits that certain characteristics are essential to the identities of things, or determinism, which suggests that all events, including human action, are determined by causes external to the will, existentialism positions the individual as the creator of their destiny. Moreover, compared to empiricism, which focuses on knowledge derived from sensory experience, existentialism is more concerned with individual subjective experience and choice.
Existentialism became particularly influential in the twentieth century, impacting various aspects of culture and thinking including ethics, where it positioned morality within the realm of individual decision-making, devoid of predetermined essences or universal moral laws.