Definition: Absurdism refers to the belief that reality is an illusion or a lie, particularly in religious contexts where such beliefs are held by many people. This term was first used by German philosopher Bertrand Russell in his 1905 essay "On Absurdism," which explores the nature of truth and skepticism. Russell argued that the existence of the world as it is described through religion or philosophy is an illusion because reality consists not of a single objective reality but a series of interconnected perceptions of reality. He believed that all human knowledge can be reduced to subjective interpretations, which he termed "absolute knowledge." This belief in an illusion of absolute knowledge was central to Russell's critique of the Enlightenment and his own development of the idea of skepticism as part of the rationalist tradition. The term "absurdism" has also been used by philosophers such as Immanuel Kant, who argued that truth must be known through reason alone rather than relying on experience. He believed that all knowledge is derived from sensory experience, which is a form of illusion because it is based on subjective perception rather than objective reality. Overall, the word "absurdism" refers to the belief in an illusion of absolute knowledge or truth, often expressed as disbelief in the existence of objective reality. It highlights a philosophical critique of the Enlightenment and the rationalist tradition, emphasizing the importance of reason over experience and individual perception in achieving true knowledge.

absurdism