Core Definitions and Similarities
Existentialism, championed by thinkers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Søren Kierkegaard, emphasizes individual freedom, responsibility, and the creation of personal meaning in an indifferent universe. Absurdism, developed by Albert Camus, builds on this by focusing on the inherent conflict between humanity's search for meaning and the universe's silence. Both philosophies reject objective meaning imposed by religion or society, viewing life as subjective and self-defined, and arose in response to modern disillusionment post-World War II.
Key Differences in Approach
While existentialism asserts that individuals can forge their own authentic meaning through choices and actions—Sartre's famous dictum 'existence precedes essence'—absurdism confronts the 'absurd' as an inescapable tension, arguing that no true meaning can be created. Existentialists promote rebellion through self-definition, whereas absurdists advocate lucid recognition of the absurd without illusion, leading to a life of revolt rather than resolution.
Practical Example: Camus' The Stranger
In Albert Camus' novel The Stranger, protagonist Meursault embodies absurdism by living detached from societal norms, facing execution with indifference to imposed meaning. Contrast this with Sartre's No Exit, where characters are trapped in hellish choices, illustrating existentialism's focus on perpetual freedom and bad faith—avoiding responsibility—highlighting how absurdism accepts meaninglessness, while existentialism demands active engagement to define it.
Importance and Real-World Applications
These philosophies offer tools for navigating modern existential crises, such as anxiety in a secular world. Existentialism inspires personal growth, therapy (existential psychotherapy), and literature encouraging authenticity. Absurdism fosters resilience by embracing uncertainty, influencing art, film (e.g., Beckett's Waiting for Godot), and everyday coping with life's randomness, helping individuals find joy in defiance rather than despair.