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Passage: Existentialism is often equated with nihilism, yet this conflation is a profound error. While the nihilist believes that because life has no inherent meaning, nothing matters, the existentialist argues that because life has no inherent meaning, the individual is radically free to create it. For thinkers like Jean-Paul Sartre, 'existence precedes essence.' We are not born with a pre-defined purpose or a set of moral guidelines; instead, we are thrown into the world and must define ourselves through our choices. This freedom, however, is a source of profound 'anguish,' as it carries with it an absolute responsibility for the self we create. To live 'authentically' is to acknowledge this freedom and take responsibility for one's values. Question: The author uses the phrase 'existence precedes essence' to convey the idea that:

1. Human beings are born already possessing a clear and fixed moral purpose.
2. Life is fundamentally meaningless, so no choice truly matters.
3. The physical world simply exists prior to any sensory experience we can have of it.
4. Individuals must define their own nature and values through their choices.

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