An Absurd View on Existentialism

Absurdism (Camus):

Myth of Sisyphus

In philosophy, "The Absurd" refers to the conflict between the human tendency to seek
inherent meaning in life and the human inability to find any. In this context absurd does
not mean "logically impossible," but rather "humanly impossible."[1] The universe and
the human mind do not each separately cause the Absurd, but rather, the Absurd arises by
the contradictory nature of the two existing simultaneously.

Camus Quotes:

No, I am not an existentialist. Sartre and I are always surprised to see our names linked..."

"The struggle itself...is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy."

Does the realization of the meaninglessness and absurdity of life necessarily require
suicide?

"my appetite for the absolute and for unity" meets "the impossibility of reducing this
world to a rational and reasonable principle."

Ancient wisdom confirms modern heroism.

One does not discover the absurd without being tempted to write a manual of happiness.

There is no sun without shadow, and it is essential to know the night.

The job assigned to Sisyphus is meaningless, and he knows this, but he still tries to make
something meaningful out of it.

In absurdist philosophy, the Absurd arises out of the fundamental disharmony between
the individual's search for meaning and the apparent meaninglessness of the universe.

Existentialism (Sartre):

Existentialism Is a Humanism

Existentialism is a term applied to the work of a number of 19th and 20th-century

philosophers who, despite profound doctrinal differences,[1][2] generally held that the
focus of philosophical thought should be to deal with the conditions of existence of the
individual person and his or her emotions, actions, responsibilities, and thoughts.[3][4]
The early 19th century philosopher Søren Kierkegaard, posthumously regarded as the
father of existentialism,[5][6] maintained that the individual is solely responsible for
giving his or her own life meaning and for living that life passionately and sincerely,[7][8]
in spite of many existential obstacles and distractions including despair, angst, absurdity,
alienation, and boredom.[9]

Sartre:

Two types of existentialist: Christians & Atheist (Gabriel Marcel & Heidegger)

Sartre was an Atheist

Existence comes before essence

Begin with the subjective

Production precedes existence

Each individual man is the realization of a certain conception which dwells in the design
understanding.

Man first of all exists, encounters himself, surges up in the world, and defines himself
afterward.

Man is what he wills.

Man will only attain existence when he is what he purposes to be.

Nothing can be better for us unless it be better for all

In fashioning myself I fashion man.

No pre-established morality.

So we have to start off making a clear distinction between Existentialism and

Absurdism. They’re are not the same and it’s too easy to say that absurdism is a
branch of existentialism, when in reality they both encompass similar
philosophical concepts, while both arriving at different conclusion. Existentialists
would say the glass glass is half full, while absurdism would say it doesn’t matter
if the glass is half full or half empty because we will never know what’s in the
glass.
Albeit existentialist are optimistic in their approach, it really isn’t a matter for them
if the glass is half full or half empty, more as you as an individual don’t have a
purpose, until you drink whatever’s in the glass. Which is layered with more
optimism then the absurdist point of view, which would be, it doesn’t matter if the
glass is half full or half empty because we will never know whats in the glass.

Enter definitions of existentialism and absurdism

On the syllabus, we have Sartre wedged in the same reading group as Camus,
and I assume this was done so because Sartre was a known existentialist, and
most people assume the same view of Camus. (insert Camus quote)

Philosophy at its most basic root is the purpose of trying to find meaning in life.
Existentialists say this meaning is subjective and is up for the individual to
decide.

Absurdists say that is impossible to figure out the meaning of life, while, however,
seeking a purpose may very well have meaning (both share this view), but still
impossible to know. Both French