Analysis Of The Philosophy Of Absurdity By Albert Camus
Meaning, when one acknowledges that their existence has no purpose, they may feel insignificant, and it can cause feelings of disharmony with life as they know it. This conflict arises from the relationship between humans’ longing for a sense of purpose, and the universe’s indifference towards it. Philosopher Albert Camus best demonstrates the philosophy of Absurdity in his work, The Myth of Sisyphus And Other Essays.
Camus expresses this philosophy throughout his essays and argues that actively searching for a purpose in life may in fact bring more feelings of disharmony within oneself, as opposed to just accepting life for what it is. Although humans are all facing an inevitable end, Camus offers a few answers to living with the absurd: revolt, freedom, and passion; each of which provide comfort in accepting the absurd paradox of existence. In order to understand Camus’ answers to the absurd, one must examine The Myth of Sisyphus and Other Essays more thoroughly. In this philosophical essay, Camus depicts the Greek tale of a man named Sisyphus and his punishment of eternal struggle. The story begins with Sisyphus being condemned by the gods to push a rock all the way up a mountain, only to have it roll all the way down each day, and he is forced to repeat this cycle everyday for the rest of eternity. This task of continuous and pointless labor seemed to be the best form of punishment the gods could give him. Camus describes those who work continuously each day, only to face inevitable death, as a representation of the human condition. However, the problem lies not only because of the fate Sisyphus faces, but because he is aware of it. Being conscious of his meaningless life and everlasting fate is what causes Sisyphus to experience the absurdity of existence.
Recognizing that life is meaningless causes conflict with an individual’s entire concept of existence. Camus, however, mentions an alternative to try to escape this knowledge, and he begins The Myth of Sisyphus with his famous philosophical inquiry: There is but one truly serious philosophical problem, and that is suicide. Judging whether life is or is not worth living amounts to answering the fundamental question of philosophy. All the rest — whether or not the world has three dimensions, whether the mind has nine or twelve categories — comes afterwards. (15)Camus illustrates how the only philosophical dilemma a person faces in their life is whether or not to commit suicide, and everything else should follow after that. He wonders if there is no meaning to life, is it really worth living? It is implied that questioning aspects about one’s life whether it be personal, career-wise, or even questioning things outside of this world — is redundant thinking. Camus indicates that these issues can only be examined after one decides if they have a life that is meaningful enough to continue existing. In this case, an individual can choose to end things by committing suicide physically or philosophically. Committing suicide physically is escaping existence altogether, and indicates that the individual believes their life is not worth living.
Camus considers this a cowardly approach, because to discontinue existence defeats the entire challenge of living with the paradox that is the absurd. Nevertheless, Camus also discusses philosophical suicide, which is taking on an existential attitude to the absurd by putting faith into a higher power. By putting faith into a higher power, an individual is trying to escape the absurd through avoidance and lack of reasoning. Camus mentions philosopher Søren Kierkegaard throughout the philosophical essays and discusses his reasonings about existence. Camus claims that Kierkegaard’s argument is told “without justification” and “through a blind act of human confidence” (44), and considers his theory to be a leap of faith. Regarding Kierkegaard’s case for religion, Camus argues that the act of following a religion is to stray further from human reason. While Kierkegaard trusts that a leap of faith is required for dealing with absurdism, Camus prefers the rationalist attitude towards it, claiming that human reason plays a key role in making sense of the world and is the only way to rationalize the contradiction of existence. Thus, Camus goes on reject suicide all together and introduces his main solution to dealing with the absurd: acceptance. At the end of the tale, Sisyphus accepts his fate of rolling the rock up the hill each day for the rest of his life, and in his acceptance, he finds happiness. Sisyphus’ moment of lucidity comes in his descent down the mountain, and his focus changes from a negative perspective to that of strength.
The moment Sisyphus becomes aware of the absurd, it can be seen as a victory: It is during that return, that pause, that Sisyphus interests me. . . I see that man going back down with a heavy yet measured step toward the torment of which he will never know the end. That hour like a breathing-space which returns as surely as his suffering, that is the hour of consciousness. At each of those moments when he leaves the heights and gradually sinks toward the lairs of the gods, he is superior to his fate. He is stronger than his rock. (Camus 132)In this scene, Sisyphus becomes stronger than the rock he has been carrying, which is symbolic of him becoming aware of his eternal fate. By coming to this realization, Sisyphus becomes an absurd hero and is able to take his fate into his own hands. Sisyphus continues the same routine each day, but he now has a better outlook on things. The message Camus conveys here is that, rather than endlessly searching for a meaning in life, it is best to accept that life has no meaning. Once one can accept this fact, they will rid the feelings of conflict with the universe and will be able to create the life that they want, thus creating their own fate. Camus concludes the tale of Sisyphus with this quote, “the struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man's heart.
One must imagine Sisyphus happy” (135). After coming to terms with the absurdity of existence, one will find satisfaction in a life devoid of purpose, and happiness will be achieved. Therefore, in this acceptance, an individual will embody Camus’ three answers to living to the absurd: revolt, freedom, and passion. Camus’ concept of revolt is similar to having willed ignorance, which is “an attitude of indifference to the possibility of error or enlightenment that holds onto beliefs regardless of the facts” (Soccio). When someone becomes indifferent to the concept of the absurd, they will relieve themselves from the feelings of dissonance with the universe and start living life to their fullest potential. It takes courage to revolt against the condition humans are subjected to, and through this revolt, an individual will be able to find freedom and passion: It is up to us to be conscious of [our experiences]. Being aware of one’s life, one’s revolt, one’s freedom, and to the maximum, is living, and to the maximum. Where lucidity dominates, the scale of values becomes useless. (Camus 74)
Once an individual rebels from the norms of the human condition, they can be free and create a meaningful life. A person who chooses rebellion has decided to take the courageous approach to life and not surrender to the absurd. Such an individual will pursue a life filled with passion and live for the moment, taking things day by day. Camus’ solution to life encompasses joy, happiness, anger, excitement, sorrow, and all other human feelings to the maximum. It acts as inspiration for the person to really enjoy their existence, even if they must roll the same stone up the same mountain each day.
By following Camus’ philosophy and accepting the absurd through revolt, freedom, and passion, one will create a life filled with meaning instead of constantly seeking a meaning for life. One can argue that Camus’ philosophy is fairly sound, because once a person comes to accept the terms of existence, they may be more inclined to create a life filled with passion and live in the moment. An individual who accepts the concept of absurdity will focus on the positive things in life, because if they choose to focus on the negative aspects, they would continue to be dissatisfied with the universe. Said individual will only be able to live a life filled with passion and freedom if they accept the absurd. Eventually they will be content with the experiences they endure in life and will accept their fate, similarly to Sisyphus. However, philosopher Thomas Nagel disagrees with Camus’ argument for the absurd all together, and provides his own opinion on the matter.
