ABSURDISM - A good way to look at the world?

[Numbern9ne303808909]

I wanted to bring the concept of absurdism to the table, it is not a new 'philosophy' but I encourage you to look into it and digest..... it has helped me make sense of certain predicaments and as a perception of life to give at least 'hope' of making the best of literally a fucked up existence...

 

[Leichter Kampfwagen]

I had to read both Nietzsche and Camus in school (and while I wish I paid more attention) my limited understanding is this: nihilism is "life is meaningless therefore you should kill yourself" and absurdism is "life is meaningless therefore you should live." Both seem to follow the same assumption: the fact that life is meaningless requires a response. I don't believe that it requires a response. "Life is meaningless, therefore ..." While reading, I never understood why the sentence had to continue. The fact that life has no meaning has never really bothered me, it's kind of been something I've always known/accepted. I never needed to draw a conclusion from it or prescribe a course of action to deal with it. It's just something that is. Whether life has meaning or not has no bearing on whether I want to live or not. To me, deciding whether or not to continue living is based on the expected value of all the future pain and pleasure for the rest of my life. If pain > pleasure, then die, if pleasure > pain, then live.

 

[Leichter Kampfwagen]

Also I think you posted this in the wrong place

 

[Numbern9ne303808909]

Also I think you posted this in the wrong place

Probably but hard to navigate expected pigeon holes! Appreciate your answer and totally agree in the sense it just is and doesn't require meaning. I've spent way too long looking for meaning when the my making of the situation has always just been staring me in the face. I don't follow or steadfastly go with any one doctrine or point of view..... I admire the chaos and can only put vibration out I guess. It goes on and brain salad ensues..... but just to be conscious is sometimes a delight. Yakkaty yak

 

[2messdup]

I wanted to bring the concept of absurdism to the table, it is not a new 'philosophy' but I encourage you to look into it and digest..... it has helped me make sense of certain predicaments and as a perception of life to give at least 'hope' of making the best of literally a fucked up existence...

This is great. Thanks for sharing

 

[hang in there]

"The world is a tragedy to those who feel and a comedy to those who think"
Choose wisely

 

[StoneCellaiver]

I had to read both Nietzsche and Camus in school (and while I wish I paid more attention) my limited understanding is this: nihilism is "life is meaningless therefore you should kill yourself" and absurdism is "life is meaningless therefore you should live."

Camus is always a good read, I enjoyed his "The Stranger".
On Absurdism overall: "One must imagine Sisyphus happy"

 

[DarkRange55]

I think existentialism offers a more compelling framework because it acknowledges the absurdity of existence but doesn't stop there. It pushes further—toward responsibility, self-creation, and the pursuit of meaning on one's own terms. Absurdism, at least in its classic form, feels like it revels in detachment, accepting meaninglessness as the final state of things. I get why that was a radical and necessary counterpoint when Camus wrote about it, but now it feels like a closed loop—an end rather than a beginning.

Existentialism, by contrast, embraces the struggle. It says, 'Yes, life has no inherent meaning, but so what? You still have to decide who you are, what you'll fight for, and how you'll face existence.' It allows for creation rather than just acceptance. Maybe that's the romantic in me speaking, but I'd rather live in a world where meaning is something you chase, even if you never fully catch it.

I'd love to discuss this further.