Absurdism
Absurdism is a philosophical theory that the universe is irrational and meaninglessness. This belief rejects inherent meaning of the universe, and absurdists belief that life and the world they have been born into is absurd.
This theory was popularized by the philosopher Albert Camus, who produced numerous works about absurdism. Most prominently was the absurd novel The Stranger, which presents the protagonist Mersault as a man of the absurd. However, it is important to note that despite being absurd, Mersault is not meant to represent the absurd hero. For absurdists such as Camus, while Mersault is a man of the absurd, he is not meant ot be emulated. The book presents all events from Mersault's point of view as the protagonist, which allows readers to observe his negative traits. Specifically, Mersault uses the absurdity and meaninglessness of the universe as an excuse to be detached and indifferent torwards the world around him.
Camus presents an alternative absurd hero in the mythological figure of Sisyphus. In mythology, Sisyphus was condemned to push a rock up a hill for all eternity by the gods, but whenever he reaches close to the top, the rock will fall down the hill. Despite this, Sisyphus chooses to continue pushing the rock up the hill.
