Absurdism vs. Existentialism — What's the Difference?

Recognition of the conflict between human search for meaning and an unresponsive universe.

The doctrine that existence precedes essence.

Philosophy that humans live in purposeless chaos.

Belief that individuals are free and responsible for their own development.

The belief in the inherent absurdity of existence.

A philosophy centering on individual existence, freedom, and choice.

Acceptance that the quest for universal truth is futile.

The philosophical theory that stresses personal authenticity.

The embrace of the absurd as a foundation of philosophical thought.

Emphasis on the isolated individual experiencing a hostile or indifferent universe.

In philosophy, "the Absurd" refers to the conflict between the human tendency to seek inherent value and meaning in life, and the human inability to find these with any certainty. The universe and the human mind do not each separately cause the Absurd; rather, the Absurd arises by the contradictory nature of the two existing simultaneously.

Existentialism ( or ) is a form of philosophical inquiry that explores the problem of human existence and centers on the experience of thinking, feeling, and acting. In the view of the existentialist, the individual's starting point has been called "the existential angst," a sense of dread, disorientation, confusion, or anxiety in the face of an apparently meaningless or absurd world.

A philosophy, often translated into art forms, holding that humans exist in a meaningless, irrational universe and that any search for order by them will bring them into direct conflict with this universe

A philosophy that emphasizes the uniqueness and isolation of the individual experience in a hostile or indifferent universe, regards human existence as unexplainable, and stresses freedom of choice and responsibility for the consequences of one's acts.

An act or instance of the ridiculous

A twentieth-century philosophical movement emphasizing the uniqueness of each human existence in freely making its self-defining choices.

A philosophy which holds that the universe is chaotic and irrational and that any attempt to impose order will ultimately fail.

The philosophical views of a particular thinker associated with the existentialist movement.

(countable) Absurdity, something that is absurd

A philosophical theory or attitude having various interpretations, generally emphasising the existence of the individual as a unique agent with free will and responsibility for his or her own acts, though living in a universe devoid of any certain knowledge of right and wrong; from one's plight as a free agent with uncertain guidelines may arise feelings of anguish. Existentialism is concerned more with concrete existence rather than abstract theories of essences; is contrasted with rationalism and empiricism; and is associated with Kierkegaard, Heidegger and Sartre, as well as others.

(philosophy) a 20th-century philosophical movement; assumes that people are entirely free and thus responsible for what they make of themselves

Existentialism is a philosophical theory that emphasizes individual existence, freedom, and the ability to give one's own meaning to life through choices and actions.

While both acknowledge the lack of inherent meaning in life, they diverge on how to respond to this realization, making them distinct philosophies.

Absurdism sees life as inherently meaningless, though individuals can still live with and embrace the absurd.

Albert Camus is often associated with Absurdism, especially with his essay "The Myth of Sisyphus."

Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir are renowned Existentialist philosophers.

It can lead to a sense of disillusionment but also to a liberated acceptance of life's unpredictability.

Yes, freedom and the responsibility that comes with it are central to Existentialist thought.

Existentialism can be both; it doesn't prescribe a particular stance on religion and includes both theistic and atheistic thinkers.

Absurdism is a philosophy that stresses the conflict between human tendencies to seek inherent value in life and the inability to find any in a chaotic, indifferent universe.

Existentialism sees life as initially purposeless but believes individuals can create their own meaning and purpose.

Absurdism suggests embracing the absurd, while Existentialism emphasizes creating one’s own path through authentic choices.

While it might seem pessimistic, some interpret Absurdism as a call to embrace life fully, despite its inherent absurdity.

Yes, by recognizing the absurdity of life and continuing to search for meaning in spite of it.

Angst is often discussed in Existentialism as the feeling of dread or anxiety stemming from the realization of one's true freedom.

Yes, they continue to influence contemporary philosophy, literature, and cultural discourse.