Have you ever wondered why life itself exists? Have you thought that maybe the universe is meaningless and somewhat bizarre? If so, you may just be an Absurdist.
Definition:
We’ve talked about Altruism, the belief that an individual must consistently help others, and before, we discussed Solipsism, the philosophy claiming that you’re the only person that is actually real. Both were philosophies analyzing why people exist and what they work towards. So, this month, it only makes sense to look at the philosophy that goes against the ideals of both of the above – Absurdism. According to the New World Encyclopedia, Absurdism claims that the meaning of the universe is humanly impossible to exist. It is often considered in part with existentialism, the idea that everyone must find their own meaning in life.
History:
Like Altruism, this philosophy also dates back to a specific individual – Søren Kierkegaard, a 19th-century Danish philosopher known for being the “father of existentialism.” In his journals, he wrote, “I must act, but reflection has closed the road, so I take one of the possibilities and say: This is what I do, I cannot do otherwise because I am brought to a standstill by my powers of reflection.” Many of his beliefs, like the one above, contained absurdist themes. These themes influenced other philosophers later in the 19th century – most notably, Albert Camus. He wrote about Absurdism in his The Myth of Sisyphus. Here, as the New World Encyclopedia explains, he suggests that acceptance is the best way to cope with absurdism’s idea of the human condition.
What Do Others Think?
However, many do not agree with Camus. Take, for example, Reddit user “Might-Quit,” who finds it hard to reach this state of acceptance. They claim that in believing in absurdism, it is hard to create and actually work towards something in your life. In reply to the above comment, some users like “noeyedeeratall” claimed that “nothing ultimately matters,” but at the moment, you should pursue that which makes you happy, finding what seems like a happy medium between absurdism and existentialism.
What About You?
Now that you know Absurdism’s definition and history, have you believed in this theory all along? Do you now accept an idea you hadn’t heard of before? Or do you think this way of thinking is a tiny bit absurd, like “Might-Quit”?
Anyway, I hope this article sparks your interest in Absurdism and other similar philosophies!
Want to Learn More?
Stay tuned for more philosophy-related articles, or consider visiting the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, the Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy, or PhilPapers. They’ve always helped me when I need extra explanations or want to know more about the world around me! Let me know if there are any philosophies you’d like me to cover next!
Until then, take care,
Riya Dhaliwal
