Absurdism

[Tips_of_Fingers]

I came into this thread expecting more talk about absurdist literature, but I was sorely disappointed...Until I read some of the comments. Interesting/amusing stuff.

OT: I, personallym do not claim to be a philosopher and I don't claim to entirely understand absurdism as an existential philosophy. I do love me a bit of absurdist literature though... Kafka, Auster, Vonnegut. All good stuff.

 

[zehydra]

all meaning is added meaning from humans

Well, they do say it's possible to communicate with animals. And perhaps there might be intelligent extra-terrestrial life. So while your intention is pretty clear, "humans" is maybe a bit strong.

you are correct, I mean from "intelligence" or whatever suits your fancy

 

[Jedoro]

Meaning of life is to fight, feed, fuck, and whatever helps you do those.

As for agreeing to defend someone who's clearly wrong in court, justice does dictate that he be given the chance to defend himself. Hell, someone could've just been framed by a professional. Not likely, but possible.

 

[IamLEAM1983]

Applying a meaning to life is itself absurd, because there is none.

I don't understand why this isn't understood.

Then how can you live without being in perpetual depression? If there's no meaning to life, then why do you live? I'm not saying "Go kill yourself!" or anything (I'm not a douchenozzle), just to be clear.

There's no set meaning to life. You aren't born with a quest log, *you* make your own quest log. Life may be absurd, but the only thing keeping you away from assured suicide is your ability to MAKE some sort of purpose for yourself.

The first time Contingency settles in, it's overwhelming. I've always been a bit of an absurdist myself, and I remember my first week after reading The Stranger. I couldn't think straight, I felt like I didn't have any substance or presence in the world, as if I was about to get blown away by a strong wind...

Time passed, and I realized I'd chosen to give my life a sense of purpose by selectively ignoring the truth of Absurdism and just going my merry way from there. You could almost say that Choice itself is the only true meaning of life.

At least, that's my worthless piece of cod philosophy for the day. Take it for what it's worth, which isn't a lot.

 

[Sniperyeti]

I've never understood this whole 'if there's no meaning to life = depressed/suicide' standpoint. What's so sad about life not having some special philosophical 'purpose'? How about this for a purpose - getting into law school. How about getting married, or reproducing and knowing your family line will continue even once you're dead and gone?

I don't think there's any 'point' to life, doesn't mean i don't enjoy it.

 

[Woodsey]

Applying a meaning to life is itself absurd, because there is none.

I don't understand why this isn't understood.

Then how can you live without being in perpetual depression? If there's no meaning to life, then why do you live? I'm not saying "Go kill yourself!" or anything (I'm not a douchenozzle), just to be clear.

"If there's no meaning to life, then why do you live?"

Because people have feelings and emotions; you don't become a grey blob because you don't believe you should waste your life serving a 'higher being' who has given mankind a 'purpose'.

Life exists because of scientific processes, and I continue to not blow my brains out because I enjoy being alive.

 

[CosmicCommander]

For me, it's just another excuse for pretentious, pseudo-intellectual gits to be as condescending as possible.