AP+TS+2013+Absurdism

#6 Absurdism

Aim: Lizzie Audience: Jessica Historical: Andrea Cultural: Amanda


 * Audience: **

 Jessica Blackburn

 Absurdism is a philosophy very closely related to existentialism. It is typically met with aversion and many find it too radical a philosophy. The aim is to indicate all the feigned beliefs that the world is a completely safe place and that corruption does not exist. In many cases, absurdism is used to point out and question why people believe what they believe. This causes discomfort, because it puts into question our beliefs about our very existence. "The universe will never truly care for humanity the way we seem to want it to... people create stories, or gods, which in their minds transcend reality to fill this void and attempt to satisfy their need" (Sartre). This philosophy is so controversial to audiences because to them it ridicules their way of life, their coping mechanism. This is why there are such mixed sentiments surrounding absurdism and why it is used in literature.

 Works Cited

Temple, Colin. "Absurdism." //Existentialism and the Absurd { Philosophy Index }//. Philosophy Index, 2002. Web. 10 Dec. 2013.

Aronson, Ronald, Aronson,. "Albert Camus." //Stanford University//. Stanford University, 27 Oct. 2011. Web. 10 Dec. 2013.


 * Historical: **

Andrea Boettcher Explanation: Absurdism is the philosophical notion that although humans strive for the universe to care for them, it never will (“Absurdism”). Soren Kierkegaard, a Danish “golden age” writer, was the first to discover the notion of absurdism (McDonald). William McDonald said, “Kierkegaard's notion of the absurd subsequently became an important category for twentieth century existentialists, though usually devoid of its religious associations” (“Soren Kierkegaard”). So, although Kierkegaard’s innovative writings of absurdism influenced many modern existentialist writers, it was without religious context. One of the most famous absurdist writers from the twentieth century is Albert Camus. Ronald Aronson said: “Camus argues that human beings cannot escape asking the question, ‘What is the meaning of existence?’ Camus, however, denies that there is an answer to this question, and rejects every...end that would provide an adequate answer” (“Albert Camus”). Albert Camus accepts the main philosophical notion of absurdism - that every person asks the question “What is the meaning of existence?” - however, he shapes the philosophy in that he says that there is no answer to this question, that the universe does not care about the individual. Citations: “Absurdism.” Philosophy-Index. Philosophy-Index, 2013. Web. 15 Nov. 2013. Aronson, Ronald. “Albert Camus.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Stanford University, 27 Oct. 2011. Web. 15 Nov. 2013. <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">McDonald, William. “Soren Kierkegaard.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Stanford <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">University, 27 July 2012. Web. 15 Nov. 2013.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">**Cultural:** <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Amanda Gilliland <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Visual: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Term: Absurdism <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Explanation: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Absurdism is a philosophical idea created around the human desire for a true purpose, and for a world where they are loved, yet such a place ceases to exist. Such a notion has aided the development of many cultural aspects of modern life, such as the modern perception of purpose and reason. Not only do people try “...to assume that everything must have a purpose, a higher reason for existence” (“Absurdism”), but they often shape their lives around the idea of a world with a higher purpose. Many people who shape their life around a religious belief use religion as their sort of “purpose” in life. Existentialist author Albert Camus believes that religion is one of the absurdist beliefs that people culturally endorse. Camus did not affiliate himself with any particular religion though, as he supported the more scientific approach that has less of a specific ultimate purpose (Maher). By not supporting a religion, Camus did not fully reflect the definition of absurdism, however he did write multiple literary works that helped shape idea of absurdism found in modern culture. Rather than just briefly touching the surface of absurdism, Camus helped develop some of the deeper concepts of absurdism. “However, if one thing has a higher purpose, what is the reason for that purpose?” (“Absurdism”). By accepting the notion that people search for a purpose and desire to believe in a purpose that has not necessarily been proven as accurate, people tend to overlook the possibility that there may not be a real purpose in the world to keep them safe. Culturally, people have developed to accept ideas with a defined purpose, such as a religion, at face value, and therefore tend to have a more Absurdist outlook on life. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Citations: <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Absurdism.” Philosophy-Index. Philosophy-Index, 2013. Web. 17 Nov 2013. <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 15px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Maher, Jimmy. “Camus, The Fall, and the Question of Faith”. 2012. Web. 17 Nov 2013.


 * <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Aim: **



<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Lizzie Crooks

<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Absurdism is a concept that aims to reject the philosophical system and its ends. The common directive of philosophy is to explain and understand the meaning of life and existence, but absurdism rejects this completely. It relates to existentialism and naturalism in, "H umanity must live in a world that is and will forever be hostile or indifferent towards them" ("Absurdism"). It takes this one step further by claiming that there simply is no reason for existence, and that the question of purpose is moot. Using the "Paradox of Sisyphus, " Camus describes the futility of existence, and imposes the idea that there simply is neither rhyme nor reason to the universe <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 1.5;">("Albert Camus"). Much //"//Theater of the Absurd" has this same purpose; the idea is to show people the pointlessness in their search for a point, and that one can only understand this concept once having given up understanding all together. While some absurdist literature accepts religion, most have to do with letting go of the notion of an after life or god ("Absurd"). Over all, the aim of absurdism is to show people that their constant search for a purpose will remain fruitless.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">Aronson, Ronald. "Albert Camus." //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">Stanford University //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">. Stanford University, 27 Oct. 2011. Web. 16 Nov. 2013.

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">"Absurdism." //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">Existentialism and the Absurd { Philosophy Index } //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2013. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">"The Theatre of the Absurd." //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">The Theatre of the Absurd //<span style="background-color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 16px;">. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Nov. 2013.