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Absurdism
What is Absurdism?
A philosophy based on the belief that the universe is irrational and meaningless and that the search for order brings the individual into conflict with the universe – Merriam-Webster Definition
Father of Absurdism
Albert Camus
Born 1913 died in 1960
Created the idea of absurdism
Important works include- The Stranger, The plague, The fall, The Myth of Sisyphus and The Rebel
He believed himself to be a writer not a philosopher
“The absurd is not in man nor in world”, Camus explains, “but in their presence together... it is the only bond uniting them.”
Absurdism vs. Existentialism
Both live in the idea that there is no meaning
Existentialism states that there is no meaning, we must create our own
Absurdism states that there is no meaning, we must accept it
Absurdism and Religion
Humans try to find meaning in life by looking at religion for the answers
Absurdist's believe that religion is pointless because no one can escape the fate of the meaningless universe
Religion has meaning and that is what makes them happy, but absurdist accepts the fact that there is no meaning therefore not needing meaning to be happy
Absurdism in Europe
An entire generation of men in Europe joined the army during WW1 thinking that it would give their lives meaning
The war ended with many dead and not much being accomplished
After all that had happed many Europeans shifted to absurdism because if there was a God none of the horror would’ve happened
Quotes
“Man stands face to face with the irrational. He feels within him his longing for happiness and for reason. The absurd is born of this confrontation between the human need and the unreasonable silence of the world.” ― Albert Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus and Other Essays
“I never approve, or disapprove, of anything now. It is an absurd attitude to take towards life. We are not sent into the world to air our moral prejudices. I never take any notice of what common people say, and I never interfere with what charming people do. If a personality fascinates me, whatever mode of expression that personality selects is absolutely delightful to me.” ― Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray
“I am interested only in "nonsense"; only in that which makes no practical sense. I am interested in life only in its absurd manifestations.” ― Daniil Kharms
Work Cited
“Absurdism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https:// www.merriam-webster.com /dictionary/absurdism. Accessed 23 Apr. 2020.
Philosophy. “Absurdism.” Philosophy Terms, 25 Oct. 2018, philosophyterms.com/absurdism/.
“Albert Camus.” Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, www.iep.utm.edu/camus/#SH5c.
“Camus and Absurdity.” Philosophy Talk, www.philosophytalk.org/blog/camus-and-absurdity.
“Absurdism Quotes (108 Quotes).” Goodreads, Goodreads, www.goodreads.com/quotes/tag/absurdism.