Question

Which movement was based in the idea that, although humans search for some meaning or purpose in human life, they are met with the immutable irrationality of the universe, thus making the effort futile?

Answer 1

Existentialism is the movement based on the idea that the search for meaning in human life is countered by the irrationality of the universe, making the effort to find universal purpose futile.

Step-by-step explanation:

The movement you are referring to is known as Existentialism. Existentialism posits that the search for meaning or purpose in human life is countered by the immutable irrationality of the universe, rendering such an effort futile. This philosophy became particularly prominent after World War I, when the concept of inevitable human progress and the authority of elites were seriously questioned. Existentialists believe that humans are free to create their own meaning in an indifferent or even absurd world. The ideas of thinkers like Jean Paul Sartre emphasize that with this freedom comes immense responsibility, which can be both liberating and overwhelmingly burdensome.

Overall, the essence of Existentialism challenges the idea that there are universal truths or meanings that can explain reality. Instead, it suggests that any meaning is subjective and unique to the individual, directly contrasting with movements like Modernism, which banked on a utopian vision and the progress of humanity based on universal truths.