Absurdism is a philosophical movement that emerged in the 20th century, primarily associated with the French-Algerian philosopher and writer Albert Camus. At its core, Absurdism explores the conflict between humans’ innate desire to find meaning in life and the indifferent universe that offers none.

This tension results in the experience of the “absurd,” a fundamental disconnect that challenges individuals to find personal significance in a meaningless world.

The roots of Absurdism can be traced back to existentialist thinkers such as Søren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche, who grappled with the purpose of existence in the face of a seemingly purposeless world. However, it was during and after World War II that Absurdism gained prominence.

The widespread devastation and disillusionment caused by the war led many to question traditional beliefs and values. In 1942, Camus published “The Myth of Sisyphus,” an essay that became a seminal work for Absurdist philosophy. In it, he uses the Greek myth of Sisyphus—condemned to eternally push a boulder up a hill only for it to roll back down—to illustrate the human condition and the pursuit of meaning despite inevitable futility.

Absurdism also made a significant impact on the arts, particularly in the realm of theater. The “Theatre of the Absurd,” a term coined by critic Martin Esslin, describes a trend in the 1950s and 1960s where playwrights such as Samuel Beckett, Eugène Ionesco, and Jean Genet crafted works that embodied Absurdist themes. These plays often featured illogical plots, nonsensical dialogue, and characters trapped in incomprehensible situations, all designed to highlight the absurdity of human existence.

Over the decades, Absurdism has continued to influence literature, philosophy, and even popular culture. It challenges individuals to confront the absurd not with despair but with a rebellious acceptance, finding personal meaning through one’s actions and choices. By acknowledging the inherent meaninglessness of the universe, Absurdism encourages a form of personal freedom, urging people to live authentically and passionately in spite of life’s inherent absurdity.