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European Journal of Applied Sciences – Vol. 12, No. 1

Publication Date: February 25, 2024

DOI:10.14738/aivp.121.14858

Nasir, T. (2024). Absurdity and Serendipity: Reclined Domain for Innovations and Researchers/Discoveries. European Journal of

Applied Sciences, Vol - 12(1). 449-469.

Services for Science and Education – United Kingdom

Absurdity and Serendipity: Reclined Domain for Innovations and

Researchers/Discoveries

Tahir Nasir

Department of Chemistry,

RTM Nagpur University, Campus Nagpur-440033, M.S. India

ABSTRACT

An absurdity is a kind of illogicality and etymologically origin from the Latin word

“absurdus-a-um”, means unreasonable or out of place/discordant, etc. [1].

Absurdity subsists in an arbitrary campaign besides in the situation arises, being

considered as a fiasco to demark an indispensable and meaningful from

unnecessary and worthless. Sir Selman Waksman got Albert Lasker award (1948),

Nobel Prize (1952) and Leeuwenhoek Medal for their work on antibiotic:

streptomycin’s discovery, yet co-researcher Albert Schatz and other scientific

community also had considered antibiotic’s finding as an absurdity. Term

serendipity recites discoveries being befalling at the juncture of chance and

wisdom. Serendipity is the fact-full finding of rather advantageous and/or

remarkable may be by fate. Greek mathematician, Archimedes in the 3rd century

had validated the principal law of hydrostatics mere by chance while verifying the

crown was made of pure gold/cheap alloy when lowered in the water in tub, and

then water overflowed and ran out dis-clothed into the street by shouting “Eureka- Eureka/miracle”. Similarly Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann in 1938 had discovered a

psychedelic drug Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) by accident after unintentional

ingestion of strange amount possibly absorbing via skin. Absurdity and serendipity

on mutual blending arises many surprises and delightful outcomes. Envisaging a

series of absurdity endures incidental results, where the nonsensical elements

somehow align perfectly to yield an optimistic and eloquent conclusion. All needs

to be stumbled upon a mode and/or a breakthrough in the midst of chaos or

irrationality.

Keywords: Absurdity, Amusing, Serendipity, Spontaneous, Fortuitous, Unpremeditated,

Random, Arbitrary, Instant.

INTRODUCTION

Absurdity refers to the eminence of being illogical. Which is often considered by something that

is unreasonable, nonsensical and contrary to reason. Absurd states or events often flout our

expectations and challenge to comprehension of the world. They can be amusing, puzzling, or

even upsetting, creating a sense of cognitive dissention. Think of the situations where the

normal order of things is disrupted.

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European Journal of Applied Sciences (EJAS) Vol. 12, Issue 1, February-2024

Figure: kinship of serendipity with knowledge and creativity

Serendipity, on the other hand is the happening of the valuable or affable discoveries by chance

or coincidence. It’s experience of finding something unpredicted or making a fortunate

connection that leads to positive result. Serendipitous moments can bring joy, encouragement

or new insights. They often involve an element of surprise or the realization that the universe

has a way of bringing things composed in ways we couldn’t have foreseen.

Absurdity is the key subject in literary work allied with the philosophy of absurdism. Writers

like Albert Camus and Franz Kafka explore the absurdity of human existence, depicting

characters caught in bizzare, nonsensical situations or facing and facing a world that is devoid

of meaning or coherence. The absurdity in there works often reflects the existential confusion

and the inherent contradictions in human conditions.

Figure: Absurdity in life