How do absurdism and existentialism differ?

Question

Only answers from people familiar with the subject please. I don't want to read copied text from wikipedia.

Answer 1

Absurdism is close to existentialism, in that Camus, who developed the view, cited Kierkegaard as his influence. Existentialism is a word coined by Sartre, but what he was trying to do was a form of Heideggerian phenomenology. There are many 'existentialist' variations, but most, including absurdism take issue with 'being qua being', what presents for us on a backdrop, and our interaction and inter-definition with the world. Many common issues come up, for Heidegger humans are thrown into a world, without reason, and have to cope against despair to be authentic. For Camus, the absurd hero can rejoice in life, facing absoulte atrocity, and cope with their environment despite horrendous circumstances. The Myth of Sysyphus presents just such a character who affirms life, immortally, despite pushing a boulder up a hill, only for it to roll back down in an unending sequence. Existentialists don't typically focus on absurdity, or being thrown into a world. I think that's the crucial difference. But they are essentially linked.

Absurdism makes fine theater, anyway, since the scenarios are so hyperbolic. "Waiting For Godot", "Groundhog Day", and "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolfe" are fine examples.

Answer 2

Existentialism is a faith.

Absurdism is a general belief.

I believe I'll have another shot.