Absurd - Definition and Overview

Disambiguation: Theatre of the Absurd

In Philosophy, The Absurd refers to humans who continue to live their lives, despite knowledge that their lives are utterly pointless.

It is related to existentialism, and it is in part a hyponym of nihilist.

Why is life pointless?

The most common definition of "point" is that to have point, something (an object, or simply living one's life) must have a higher purpose to justify it. However, for that higher purpose to have "point", then it too must have an even higher purpose. These "chains of justification" never come to an end, therefore nothing can be considered to have ultimate purpose. If they did come to an end, they might still not satisfy us. For example, for a cow to know that its higher purpose was to be eaten would probably not satisfy it.

Solutions

• Suicide is a solution because it seems a rational reaction to the absurdity of life; but most people try to find an alternative solution.

• God or religion provides a point to life for some people. However, the above argument can be applied again: what is the purpose of God?

• One solution is simply to reject the definition; to instead define "the point of life is to live." This is not a solution to the above problem, but instead a different problem.

• Many people accept that life is pointless but do not consider this a problem. As above, even if ultimate purpose did exist, it might not satisfy us. Instead they create meaning in their own lives, which is not ultimate meaning but provides something to do. They may also ignore the problem.

See Also

• The Absurd Hero (http://www.levity.com/corduroy/camusabs.htm) by Bob Lane, 1996.

References

• Thomas Nagel: Mortal Questions, 1991. ISBN 0521406765

Example Usage of Absurd