Absurdism and Existentialism
By Jacob Sherman
Existentialism as a philosophy flourished in the West during the 1940s and 1950s. However, its roots are found as early as the 19th century, with two main philosophers: Soren Kierkegaard and Frederich Nietzsche. Later existentialist writers include Albert Camus, Jean-Paul Sartre, Simone de Beauvoir, and others. Some of these writer embraced the label of existentialist, such as Jean-Paul Sartre, and others ardently rejected the term, such as Albert Camus. These authors are all considered important to the existentialist movement, however.
Existentialism encompasses a large variety of philosophical thought, with drastic differences between each philosopher. One of the most pervasive common themes, though, is the idea of “existence before essence.” There are no universal truths or meanings for a person to adhere to. A person’s individual “existence” (the choices he/she makes) provides his/her own meaning. This idea is humanistic in a sense that it stresses the importance of the individual in determining his/her essence in life.
Existentialism also addresses the importance of free will and authenticity. Every individual has the freedom to act however he/she so chooses. However, in determining how ethical these decisions are, one must act with “authenticity.” Authenticity is the quality of staying true to one’s own convictions. With the societal pressure to conform to “normal” standards, this is often difficult to attain. To act with authenticity, one must act without giving into this pressure.
Absurdism is often considered a branch of existentialism. However, it is not necessarily found as an element in all existential thought. Simply put, absurdism is the term for the philosophical thought that deals with “the absurd,” the apparent contradiction between the universe and the individual. This contradiction is found in the individual’s constant search for meaning and order in a world that has none.The universe is indifferent toward the individual. Because of this indifference, life has no inherent meaning whatsoever. Absurdists, especially Camus, stress that one must accept this absurdity in order to cope with it. Through acceptance of this absurdity, one can live a fulfilling life however one sees fit, without regard to an established set of ideals or morals imposed by the universe. In his later works Camus calls this acceptance of and coping with absurdity a “revolt” against the absurdity. He distinguishes “revolting” from “rebelling,” however. “Revolt” against absurdity entails accepting it first, while “rebellion” is seen as a rejection of the absurdity in the first place.
Albert Camus was one of the leading absurd philosophers, and is often attributed with its creation. Camus wholeheartedly opposed being labeled as an existentialist writer, and in fact criticized many existentialists, especially Kierkegaard. Camus believed that existentialism was not completely incorrect. He agreed that existence was inherently meaningless. However, he saw the existentialist attempt to give life meaning as a rejection of the absurd. Because Camus believed that acceptance of the absurd was critical in order to cope, he saw the existentialist rejection of absurdity as a philosophical flaw.
Works Cited
Crowell, Steven. "Existentialism." Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Stanford University, 23 Aug. 2004. Web. 24 Apr. 2015.
Ellis, Addison. "Introduction to Existentialism." 1000Word Philosophy. N.p., 21 Apr. 2014. Web. 24 Apr. 2015.
Wyatt, C.S. "Introduction to Existentialism." The Existential Primer. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2015. <http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tameri.com%2Fcsw%2Fexist%2Fexist.html>.
"Absurdism." Existentialism and the Absurd { Philosophy Index }. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2015. <http://www.philosophy-index.com/existentialism/absurd.php>.
"Existentialism." { Philosophy Index }. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2015. <http://www.philosophy-index.com/existentialism/>.
Sartre, Jean-Paul. Existentialism. Trans. Bernard Frechtman. New York: Philosophical Library, 1947. Print.
Grene, Marjorie. Introduction to Existentialism. Chicago: U of Chicago, 1959. Print.
Ervin, Mel. "Toward a Humane Existentialism: Personal Meaning in Camus' Early Fiction." Thesis. Lamar University, 2009. Print.
Existentialism encompasses a large variety of philosophical thought, with drastic differences between each philosopher. One of the most pervasive common themes, though, is the idea of “existence before essence.” There are no universal truths or meanings for a person to adhere to. A person’s individual “existence” (the choices he/she makes) provides his/her own meaning. This idea is humanistic in a sense that it stresses the importance of the individual in determining his/her essence in life.
Existentialism also addresses the importance of free will and authenticity. Every individual has the freedom to act however he/she so chooses. However, in determining how ethical these decisions are, one must act with “authenticity.” Authenticity is the quality of staying true to one’s own convictions. With the societal pressure to conform to “normal” standards, this is often difficult to attain. To act with authenticity, one must act without giving into this pressure.
Absurdism is often considered a branch of existentialism. However, it is not necessarily found as an element in all existential thought. Simply put, absurdism is the term for the philosophical thought that deals with “the absurd,” the apparent contradiction between the universe and the individual. This contradiction is found in the individual’s constant search for meaning and order in a world that has none.The universe is indifferent toward the individual. Because of this indifference, life has no inherent meaning whatsoever. Absurdists, especially Camus, stress that one must accept this absurdity in order to cope with it. Through acceptance of this absurdity, one can live a fulfilling life however one sees fit, without regard to an established set of ideals or morals imposed by the universe. In his later works Camus calls this acceptance of and coping with absurdity a “revolt” against the absurdity. He distinguishes “revolting” from “rebelling,” however. “Revolt” against absurdity entails accepting it first, while “rebellion” is seen as a rejection of the absurdity in the first place.
Albert Camus was one of the leading absurd philosophers, and is often attributed with its creation. Camus wholeheartedly opposed being labeled as an existentialist writer, and in fact criticized many existentialists, especially Kierkegaard. Camus believed that existentialism was not completely incorrect. He agreed that existence was inherently meaningless. However, he saw the existentialist attempt to give life meaning as a rejection of the absurd. Because Camus believed that acceptance of the absurd was critical in order to cope, he saw the existentialist rejection of absurdity as a philosophical flaw.
Works Cited
Crowell, Steven. "Existentialism." Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Stanford University, 23 Aug. 2004. Web. 24 Apr. 2015.
Ellis, Addison. "Introduction to Existentialism." 1000Word Philosophy. N.p., 21 Apr. 2014. Web. 24 Apr. 2015.
Wyatt, C.S. "Introduction to Existentialism." The Existential Primer. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2015. <http%3A%2F%2Fwww.tameri.com%2Fcsw%2Fexist%2Fexist.html>.
"Absurdism." Existentialism and the Absurd { Philosophy Index }. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2015. <http://www.philosophy-index.com/existentialism/absurd.php>.
"Existentialism." { Philosophy Index }. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Apr. 2015. <http://www.philosophy-index.com/existentialism/>.
Sartre, Jean-Paul. Existentialism. Trans. Bernard Frechtman. New York: Philosophical Library, 1947. Print.
Grene, Marjorie. Introduction to Existentialism. Chicago: U of Chicago, 1959. Print.
Ervin, Mel. "Toward a Humane Existentialism: Personal Meaning in Camus' Early Fiction." Thesis. Lamar University, 2009. Print.