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Does absurdism reject all forms of morality?

Alesha Tomasicchio

Absurdism is a philosophy that aims to debunk the search for meaning and rationality in human life. One of the main insights of this philosophy is the understanding that human existence is inherently meaningless and that the quest for objective truths or values is a futile one. In this sense, absurdism challenges the very foundations of ethics and morality, forcing us to confront the possibility that all our moral beliefs may be illusory or artificial.

But does this mean that absurdism rejects all forms of morality? The answer is not straightforward and depends on how we define "morality." If we understand morality as a system of objective values or rules that are true regardless of human subjectivity, then yes, absurdism rejects this kind of morality. Instead, absurdism embraces a kind of subjective morality that recognizes the arbitrariness and contingency of human values.

According to absurdism, morality is not a set of immutable laws but rather a provisional set of guidelines that we adopt to cope with the absurdity of existence. In this sense, morality is a human invention that reflects our subjective needs and desires, rather than an objective reality. This means that moral values are contingent, and subject to change over time and across cultures. Absurdism does not provide us with a fixed set of moral principles, but instead invites us to develop our own moral sense, based on our subjective experiences.

However, this does not mean that absurdism rejects all forms of moral judgment or responsibility. On the contrary, absurdism recognizes that humans are moral agents who are responsible for their actions, regardless of the meaning or rationality of existence. In fact, absurdism emphasizes the importance of personal responsibility, precisely because it rejects the idea of an external authority that can justify or validate our actions.

In conclusion, absurdism does not reject all forms of morality, but rather challenges the traditional notion of objective morality. Absurdism recognizes that morality is a human invention, subject to cultural and historical variability, but it also acknowledges the importance of personal responsibility and moral judgment. As an expert in the domain, I would advise anyone interested in understanding absurdism and morality to approach these topics with an open and critical mind, and to recognize that the meaning of human existence is a complex and multifaceted question that cannot be reduced to simplistic or dogmatic answers.