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Questions tagged [absurdism]

absurdism addresses the human struggle for meaning, purpose, and application of labels, in a universe that will not permit the application.

absurdism addresses the human struggle for meaning, purpose, and application of labels, in a universe that will not permit the application.

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Do humans need some agency over the world around them for their lives to have some sense or purpose?

This is a follow up to this question I was told to revise: If all work is automated, what will humans be able to do? After consideration I think that the only way to salvage that question is to break it up into more questions, so this is the first…
gaazkam
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How can a non-religious person justify or rationalize hope or optimism in an absurd world?

I don't mean to make this post too personal, but I've been in the midst of the first kind of existential funk in my life. A bunch of negative things have happened around me recently, and as a pretty young guy it changed my world view from being a…
sangstar
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What is "the Nietzschean criterion" in Camus' "The Myth of Sisyphus"?

Quote: It seems there are but two philosophical solutions [regarding killing oneself], either yes or no. This would be too easy. But allowance must be made for those who, without concluding, continue questioning. Here I am only slightly indulging…
djechlin
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What are some philosophical works that explore constructing meaning in life from an agnostic or atheist view?

I've been deeply suicidal for years, but it's gotten worse recently. I grew up Mormon, and last year I realized I couldn't believe in it anymore. I just couldn't; it would take too long to explain. I started watching "The Good Place". I had seen it…
Emily Savage
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Is Sisyphus actually happy or is he content?

I am having trouble understanding what Camus meant when he says "One must imagine Sisyphus is happy" in the essay The Myth of Sisyphus. What does Camus mean by happiness, and how can Sisyphus be happy when faced with a meaningless existence? When…
Movers
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What does Albert Camus mean by two methods of thought, "of La Palisse and Don Quixote"?

In The Myth of Sisyphus, Camus says that there are two methods of thought to conclude that the meaning of life is the most urgent of questions: those of La Palisse and Don Quixote: Whether the earth or the sun revolves around the other is a matter…
virtuous
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Why should we care about anyone?

If we take the World as absurd - without any meaning or end result, and believe in no such thing as God or afterlife (taking Camus' stance in Myth of Sisyphus), why should anyone, fundamentally, care about anything or anyone? Of course, in…
Ajax
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Did Camus ever really write "Should I kill myself or have a cup of coffee"?

I think it's so wonderfully and beautifully put, but can't find the source, and am curious as to whether or not it's a genuine quotation.
Claude Garcia
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What is the difference between existentialism, nihilism and absurdism?

I do not have any formal training in these subjects or any of philosophy, for that matter. So, forgive me for my naive question. As I understand it, all of these take the view that "existence precedes essence" and that life has no inherent meaning,…
Agnishom Chattopadhyay
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How can an Absurdist be moral?

I know the question isn't worded well. I'm a little new to this. I've recently taken a look at Absurdist philosophy, primarily by reading works by Camus, and I feel that it is the most accurate philosophy I've come across. However, I have an issue…
quixotic
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Does an Absurdist try to create his/her own meanings?

I was reading about Existentialism in Wikipedia and in The Absurd section there are two sentences that seem conflicting to me. First we have: The notion of the absurd contains the idea that there is no meaning in the world beyond what meaning we…
Mathemagician
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What is Camus' criticism of Husserl's phenomology and of Kierkegaard's thought?

I have not been able to grasp these concepts. Specifically, I am referring to the third chapter of the Myth of Sisyphus: "The philosophical suicide". I have understood that Camus's critic on Kierkegaard is relativa to the latter trying to escape the…
XXJoJo
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Is Absurdism a form of hedonism?

I find it difficult to comprehend the philosophy of absurdism. Albert Camus defined it as "futility of a search for meaning in an incomprehensible universe, devoid of God, or meaning". What lies between the contrasting spheres of a desperate search…
dreamerinavoid
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What are the "crimes of passion and crimes of logic"?

There are crimes of passion and crimes of logic. The boundary between them is not clearly defined. Albert Camus What does Albert Camus mean by "crimes of passion and crimes of logic" in his book The Rebel? Aren't all crimes, in a certain sense,…
dreamerinavoid
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What is Nagel's definition of 'The Absurd'?

Why does Nagel consider life to be absurd? And correct me if i'm wrong but it feels like he's telling people to live life despite life being absurd? Why does he do that if that's the case?
mobcity zkore
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