Absurd
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Absurd can refer to:
- Absurdism, a philosophy born of existentialism
- Absurdist fiction, absurdist literature
- absurdity, with small "a", is a form of surreal humour
- Theatre of the Absurd, an artform utilizing the philosophy of absurdism
Definition
- Contrary to reason or propriety; obviously and flatly opposed to manifest truth; inconsistent with the plain dictates of common sense; logically contradictory; nonsensical; ridiculous.
- This proffer is absurd and reasonless. - Shakespeare, Henry VI, Part I, V-iv
- This phrase absurd to call a villain great. - Alexander Pope
Usage notes
- Said of people, opinions, dreams, etc.
Among the synonyms:
- Irrational is the weakest, denoting that which is plainly inconsistent with the dictates of sound reason; as, an irrational course of life.
- Foolish rises higher, and implies either a perversion of that faculty, or an absolute weakness or fatuity of mind; as, foolish enterprises.
- Absurd rises still higher, denoting that which is plainly opposed to received notions of propriety and truth; as, an absurd man, project, opinion, story, argument, etc.
- Preposterous rises still higher, and supposes an absolute inversion in the order of things; or, in plain terms, a "putting of the cart before the horse;" as, a preposterous suggestion, preposterous conduct, a preposterous regulation or law.
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