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MENTAL MODEL · M1910

The Absurd

The Absurd
CultureHigh supportExistentialism
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Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30

CORE DEFINITION

The conflict between humanity's desire for meaning and the world's cold, silent indifference to that desire. The world has no meaning, but we must create meaning in a meaningless world; this itself is an act of rebellion.

SCAFFOLDING EFFECT

psychology

Reduce cognitive load

Nihilism resistance. When feeling that 'life is meaningless,' do not despair. It is precisely because there is no predetermined meaning that you are free. Like Sisyphus pushing his rock, enjoy the process of pushing, and scorn the meaningless outcome.

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In philosophy, 'the absurd' refers to the sense of dissonance between the rational human craving for meaning/order and the world's silent unresponsiveness; it is the experiential core of absurdism.

MINIMUM ACTION

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Source support: Explicit

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