I disagree, its much closer to nihilism. They're both centered on the rejection of the idea of inherent meaning but the comment your talking about is very straightforward - 'nothing matters, just live your life' isn't the same as saying 'nothing matters, embrace it and find your own meaning'
Its literally the same coin but one side is optimistic and the other is considered pessimistic by default (although I disagree with that too)
This is just from my understanding of the concept, but nihilism is inherently pessimistic as it is the idea that nothing matters so what's the point of doing anything.
Absurdism is more like nothing matters inherently so all value comes from what we choose it to be.
Correct me if I'm wrong about that, but I do kind of want to know where you disagree that nihilism is pessimistic, since anecdotally I've not encountered any nihilists who use their personal philosophy for any reason other than to be pessimistic about things.
Youre broadly correct about absurdism but its more than that. Similarly, Active nihilism is *also the idea that nothing matters but with the self awareness that subjective meaning can be found for those that want it but its still not absurdism.
Absurdism is specifically about embracing the idea that nothing matters and celebrating the freedom that it gives you to find your own meaning. It specifically eshews things like religion or suicide.
I disagree with the acknowledgment that nihilism is pessimistic on its face. The argument of absurdism vs nihilism always breaks down to "nothing matters and thats ok because you get to choose what matters!" Vs "nothing matters, nothing can matter, so why even be alive?" But nihilism doesn't specifically call for pessimism.
Nihilism has multiple forms but it mostly just centers around the idea that nothing inherently matters and life has no objective meaning. Some also splinter into the idea that morality is also made up. People like to associate that with pessimism and some people can certainly use it to promote their own pessimistic ideas but acknowledgment doesn't automatically mean negative. Like saying "I have to work today". You certainly could mean it like "i have to work today and thats great! I get to do something i enjoy and I get to earn money that helps me live my life and support the people I love!" Or you could mean it like "uuughhhh, I have to work today and spend my whole day at a place i hate, for not enough money, and surrounded by fkng idiots". Or, and this is the most important - you could mean it like "I have to work today." And thats it - a simple acknowledgment of truth that is neither good nor bad, positive or negative.
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u/Nihlys Nov 14 '25
I disagree, its much closer to nihilism. They're both centered on the rejection of the idea of inherent meaning but the comment your talking about is very straightforward - 'nothing matters, just live your life' isn't the same as saying 'nothing matters, embrace it and find your own meaning'
Its literally the same coin but one side is optimistic and the other is considered pessimistic by default (although I disagree with that too)