The Problem of Meaning: Nihilism vs Existentialism vs Absurdism

The problem of meaning and three possible responses to it, these being Nihilism, Existentialism and Absurdism. I will explain how Nihilism is within itself yet another problem that Existentialism and Absurdism aim to solve.

Merch

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Resources
Books
The Myth of Sisyphus - Camus
Existentialism is a Humanism - Sartre

Web

Timestamps

00:00 Intro and Background
01:04 Nihilism
03:57 Existentialism
06:10 Absurdism
08:22 Summary and Outro

#existentialcrisis #sartre #nietzsche #camus #nihilism #absurdism

[camelusdromedarius]

After reading the Myth of Sisyphus and listening to many Alan Watts lectures, I've come to realize a striking parrallel between Absurdism and Zen. Of course Zen has its spiritual side to it, but the philosophical side of it is highly similar to Absurdism. I'd encourage those interested in Absurdism to look into Zen as well. You're essentially getting both Western and Eastern perspectives on the same issue.

[mrvideogame]

I read The Stranger my junior year in High School. That book resonated so much with me that it led me too research absurdism and existentialism. It gave me a respite of a mind numbing and mundane school life. It also motivated me in a weird way to try new things and be more social.

I believe the best path for us is existentialism due to its alignment with constructive values of free will and responsibility. Not only do we have the free will to choose but the moral responsibility to choose a set of values that optimizes our life.

The power that we have to choose for ourselves and not instill a preconceived notion of what is deemed moral is a daunting yet liberating and I would say honorable pursuit. You choose to be a good person not because a deity, an institution, or your parents told you to. You choose to be a good person because that’s what you define yourself as. That’s self empowering.

Nihilism is the easy way out and an attractive philosophy. The reason why I never bought it was due to all the great men and women that have accomplished extraordinary things despite the meaninglessness of life. Leonado da Vinci, Michelangelo, Alexander the Great, Nikola Tesla, Galileo, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Van Gogh, Bach, Beethoven, Mozart. All the great civilizations, inventions, etc. Even our ancestors are amazing for surviving and now you get to watch this video and read this.

p.s. listen to The Blue Danube and all the great stuff humans have accomplished.

[hazardousmaterials]

I ascribe to existentialism, and reject the other two. Yes, our lives have no inherent meaning, and we must create that meaning ourselves. But when we create that meaning - it is created. Our essence is now real, because we brought it into being. I use the example of a marriage: If you meet someone new and have an awkward 2-minute conversation, then walk away from that person forever, nothing is significantly lost. However, if you meet someone new, and have a fulfilling 30-year marriage with them, you can’t just walk away without losing something of deep value. The essence of that marriage has become real through your actions, and has gained meaning - a genuine meaning that isn’t absurd to value.

[boxingjerapah]

Camus #1 for me, ever since I first encountered him in my own philosophy/theology degree back in the 1980's.
The world just does what it does. That's it.

I dont find such a point of view to be bleak, depressing, cold etc .... as many people tell me I should.
I actually find it intensely liberating.

The general human condition seems to crave not only meaning, but comprehension, a need to be right and also to assume a significant place in the universe. Those 4 elements combined have caused untold suffering throughout history.

[damilola_adegunwa]

"This may remind you of your life" that hits hard!

[cromcccxvi]

Before I knew of the scholarly definition of Absurdism... I dealt with my own Existential issues by creating "Fuk it ism".... which is essentially Absurdism

[junkjunk]

thx for your work, good stuff
good voice timing tone texture
good short simple summaries
to the point, good value
64yr old seeker still learning

[mikesnelling]

The Myth of Sisyphus is a more uplifting piece of writing than all the religious texts in the world put together. A thoughtful and insightful video.

[lore]

I dont think Nihilism is dark. I dont life a less happy life, just because i know there is no higher meaning. Its just that the one romantic fantasy of being something special isnt fulfilled.

[lover]

Glad I clicked at this video.
I dislike abstract ideologies. Hoping, praying on the unknown is suffering for me. I wanna stay grounded in the present, though, that's were meaning comes into play. Which is also a bad thing cause what if you can never find one; again with troubling one mind.
Never actually tried to learn about existentialism or absurdism. Your video said as much info as it needed for me, to get the "interest" to learn more about them.
Thanks

[Hesiod]

Excellent video. There are all kinds of meanings and purposes up to the ultimate purpose of survival.

[CapnSnackbeard]

Bemoaning the death of God is bemoaning the passing of childhood. The quest for "meaning" is the secret plea of the learned to the universe that we not be left in charge of our own affairs.

[ChaoticComrade]

Your voice is so delightful and triggers my ASMR.

[ibrahim]

I agree with absurdism! Let it be what should be! That Is absurd to believe in anything.

[truthcerum]

The best course of action in my eyes is a quote from Rust Cohle, the pessimist, in True Detective where his partner Marty asks “what’s the point in getting up in the morning”.

Cohle responds “ I tell myself I bear witness. But the real answer is that it's obviously my programming. And I lack the constitution for suicide.”

Bearing witness to this Clownworld we live in and enjoying the uncertainty perhaps.

[AspieMediaBobby]

Personally, I call myself an existential absurdist. This is to say I do not believe in intrinsic meaning, however our personal experiences, emotions and relationships constitute a wholly personal albeit admittedly subjective meaning that is all the more precious because it is our own.

[randallunruh]

It's all existentialism. The way to understand existentialism is a simple question: Do you believe your consciousness precedes your physical existence or proceeds your physical existence? If you believe it proceeds from your physical existence you are an existentialist. All this grew from the discovery of dialectic logic that essentially posits change in an infinite linear manner. That is the thesis attracts its antithesis which causes both to be destroyed in contradiction from which a synthesis arises and becomes the new thesis and the process begins again but in a linear manner of endless change. Do you believe anything is possible? Than you are in a state of dialectic logic. Reality is not linear, it is cycles/process (think of a Yin/Yang as symbolic of this). A tree seed becomes a tree which produces more tree seeds and not, say, a human baby (so anything is not possible). Nihilism and absurdism are simply forms of existentialism of which the difference is merely a view of "will" and not really anything else. Read the Philosopher Ichazo for a more detailed explanation.

[karasko.]

good video! made me understand the subject way more

[steventhehuman]

Kind of new to all this and trying to wrap my head around it. So even tho I find no meaning in my job or the life I'm living according to absurdism, I'm just supposed to go along with it and be happy about my meaningless job and life? Sorry if I'm missing something and sound dumb

[shaneharms]

I’m having trouble distinguishing between Absurdism and Existentialism. Is a human not defining an existential meaning by rebelling as an absurdist? And isn’t defining one’s own meaning a form of embracing the absurd, taking it head on and rebelling against the human condition? It seems they are really the same and not really that profound.

It seems Camus embraces the “existential-ness” of the choice to embrace the absurd (human condition), while not addressing the moral implications of it, while Sartre emphasizes moral heroism in defining meaning in one’s place in the absurd, while not getting hung up on the moment of his existential rebellion.

Given the nature and demise of the two philosopher’s relationship and the French/Algerian conflict, I’m catching a whiff of retribution on behalf of Camus, and a kind of rebellion against the French and their philosophical hero, the existentialist himself, Sartre, and also toward a the overall popular French philosophical milieu of the time.

They both step into the river of Wu Wei, and borrow and sell off the convenient parts of acceptance (Taoism) as their own like many western philosophers and psychologists. What!? I said it.

They might as well fully embrace the absurd, and borrow from Wittgenstein, and lump the whole problem of the meaning of existence as not a philosophical problem and more of a language problem. Oh lord, they will talk and the language games will go on!