What is the Difference Between Absurdism and Existentialism?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Absurdism and Existentialism are two philosophical movements that originated during the 19th century, both characterized by the belief that the universe is inherently meaningless. However, they differ in their responses to this lack of meaning:
Existentialism:
- Asserts that individuals must create their own meaning and purpose in life.
- Emphasizes free will and the responsibility to pursue freedom.
- Formulated by philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre, who argued that existence precedes essence, meaning that we exist and then choose our purpose.
- Sartre's existentialism is sometimes referred to as "positive existentialism" because it involves the construction of meaning and purpose in life.
Absurdism:
- Focuses on the tension between a meaningless universe and our constant striving to find meaning.
- Accepts that there is no inherent meaning in life and urges individuals to embrace the Absurd or meaninglessness.
- Developed by philosophers like Albert Camus, who argued that attempts to find meaning are futile, but we should continue living in defiance of the Absurd.
- Sometimes referred to as "negative existentialism" because it recognizes the lack of meaning in life and encourages individuals to live well despite it.
In summary, both Absurdism and Existentialism acknowledge the inherent meaninglessness of the universe, but they differ in their responses to this situation. Existentialism emphasizes the creation of one's own meaning and purpose, while Absurdism focuses on embracing the Absurd and finding a way to live well despite the lack of meaning.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Absurdism and Existentialism? Comparative Table: Absurdism vs Existentialism
Comparative Table: Absurdism vs Existentialism
Here is a table highlighting the key differences between Absurdism and Existentialism:
| Feature | Absurdism | Existentialism |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Embracing the Absurd or meaningless in life | Creating one's essence and meaning through individual freedom and responsibility |
| Attitude | Accepts the inherent meaninglessness of life and the futility of attempts to create meaning | Sees the tension between the world's lack of meaning and our desire for meaning as a challenge to be overcome through self-expression and acts of will |
| Free Will | Not as focused on the concept of free will | Believes in free will and the duty to pursue freedom |
| Meaning | Does not concern itself with the creation of meaning or purpose, but surrenders to the idea that such attempts are ultimately futile | Emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility as a means of creating a sense of meaning in life |
| Response to the Absurd | Embraces the Absurd and moves forward with life, finding meaning and happiness in the absurd | Accepts the possibility of creating meaning through rational endeavor, but questions the value of any created meaning |
| Influential Philosophers | Albert Camus (who also wrote "The Myth of Sisyphus") | Jean-Paul Sartre (who popularized the term in the 20th century) |
Read more:
- Existentialism vs Nihilism
- Absolutism vs Relativism
- Modernism vs Postmodernism
- Idealism vs Naturalism
- Realism vs Naturalism
- Dada vs Surrealism
- Determinism vs Fatalism
- Monism vs Dualism
- Negative vs Realism
- Philosophy vs Literature
- Modernism vs Postmodernism in Literature
- Philosophy vs Psychology
- Pragmatism vs Idealism
- Humanism vs Atheism
- Idealism vs Materialism
- Enlightenment vs Romanticism
- Positivism vs Logical Positivism
- Religion vs Philosophy
- Positivism vs Post-Positivism