Camus’ Absurdism: Freedom in a Meaningless World
Introduction
Driven by an inherent need for purpose, all people relentlessly seek meaning in life. This pursuit seems to fulfill a deep desire that lies in each one of us – a sense of accomplishment, a feeling of wholeness. But what if we paused and questioned the purpose of our actions, the value of our sacrifices, even the value of life per se? In a universe indifferent to our inquiries, silent to our yearning for meaning, can our pursuit be truly justified? This fundamental human urge that goes in opposition with the universe’s deafening silence gives rise to a philosophy known as absurdism.
Albert Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus
“Judging whether life is or is not worth living amounts to answering the fundamental question of philosophy”
The Value of Life: A Complex Tapestry
Religion, Morality and our will to live
The value we place on life result from a complex interplay of factors. Religion and morality play a significant role. Many religions, like Christianity with its commandment “Thou shalt not murder,” view life as sacred and a gift from a higher power. Moral codes further emphasize this value by condemning acts like murder and promoting kindness, compassion. Beyond those external sources of meaning, our innate drive to survive, termed “The Will to Live” by philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer, shapes as well our perception of life’s value. Just as someone thrown into water instinctively fights to stay afloat, this urge to survive is deeply rooted within us.
Camus’ Perspective:
However, some argue that solely valuing life based on this instinct is insufficient. This notion leads to the philosophy of absurdism, where thinkers like Camus suggest that relying solely on survival instinct or on religious explanations can be ways to avoid confronting life’s inherent complexities. When faced with mortality, we often seek answers to avoid grappling with life’s confusion and meaninglessness. Religion offers concepts like divine justice and an afterlife for comfort, while science, explaining life’s mechanics, falls short in answering why we exist. It clarifies how life begins but not its purpose.
Death’s Role in Life’s Absurdity
Death adds another layer of complexity to this existential question. Death makes everything we do seem pointless, adding more confusion to our lives. We not only struggle to find meaning, but we also feel pressured by the passing of time. We naturally want things to last forever, but death reminds us that everything comes to an end. This contrast between our desire for permanence and the reality of death highlights the absurdity of our existence.
Facing the absurdity
Consciousness : a source of freedom and anguish
Notice that consciousness, integral to human experience, is what’s allowing us to think about life’s meaning. It makes us wonder about our purpose and mortality. With consciousness, we ponder our role in the world and try to understand life’s mysteries. But, it also brings confusion as we struggle with life’s contradictions. While consciousness gives us the freedom to question things, it can also make us feel distressed when we can’t find satisfying answers. Despite these challenges, we continue to explore life’s complexities with curiosity and hope for understanding.
The Eternal Cycle of Existence:
Life’s absurdity is also apparent in the endless cycle humans repeat throughout history. Men labor to support their families, while women endure the pain of childbirth to ensure life’s continuity. This repetitive pattern highlights the inevitability of toil and suffering in life, leading ultimately to death. Despite our efforts to find meaning and happiness, we are constantly reminded of life’s challenges and limitations. This cycle of work, pain, and mortality underscores the inherent absurdity of existence, as we strive to find purpose amidst the uncertainty and struggles of life.
The Absurd Man
The concept
Absurdism suggests that life has no inherent meaning and the universe operates without reason. Individuals grapple with the challenge of finding purpose in a world that lacks sense. In this regard, Camus describes the “absurd man” as someone who rejects the Leap of Faith but also lacks a scientific explanation for existence, and instead of seeking solace in hypothetical or fantastical scenarios, the absurd man confronts the uncertainty of existence without hiding behind metaphysical consolation. He fully embraces the absurdity of life, navigating through life without any hope of finding his true purpose.
Distinguishing Absence of Hope from Despair
It’s important to understand the difference between having no hope and feeling despair: despair comes when things don’t meet our expectations, leading to disappointment and frustration, while having no hope means not expecting anything in the first place, avoiding these negative feelings. Take Meursault in “The Stranger” as an example. He lives without caring much about societal rules because he believes nothing really matters. Some philosophers think that realizing life’s absurdity makes people feel hopeless and even leads to suicide. But Camus disagrees. He says that people like Meursault, who accept life’s absurdity without hope, can still find happiness. So, even though Meursault sees life as meaningless, he’s okay with it, showing that accepting life’s absurdity doesn’t have to make you unhappy.
Albert Camus, The Stranger
“I opened myself to the gentle indifference of the world”