Core Definitions and Origins
Existentialism, pioneered by Søren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche in the 19th century but flourishing in the 20th with Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir, emphasizes individual freedom, choice, and the creation of personal meaning in an indifferent universe. Absurdism, developed by Albert Camus, builds on similar ideas but focuses on the inherent conflict between humanity's search for meaning and the universe's silence, rejecting traditional resolutions.
Key Similarities and Differences
Both philosophies share roots in the human confrontation with meaninglessness, influenced by post-World War II disillusionment, and reject objective truths from religion or society. However, existentialism asserts that individuals can forge their own meaning through authentic choices, as in Sartre's 'existence precedes essence.' Absurdism, conversely, views the absurd as an unresolvable tension, advocating revolt—living fully aware of the absurdity without inventing false meaning.
Practical Example: Sartre vs. Camus
Consider a person facing job loss: An existentialist like Sartre might urge them to redefine their identity through new pursuits, embracing radical freedom to create purpose. An absurdist like Camus, in 'The Myth of Sisyphus,' would liken it to Sisyphus eternally pushing a boulder, encouraging defiant joy in the struggle itself, scorning illusions of ultimate success.
Philosophical Impact and Applications
These ideas profoundly shaped 20th-century literature, art, and psychology, influencing existential psychotherapy and modern self-help. Existentialism empowers personal agency in therapy and ethics, while absurdism fosters resilience against nihilism, applied in literature to critique societal norms and in everyday life to embrace uncertainty without despair.