Existentialism: Confronting Nothingness (2) — Albert Camus
Introduction
In The Myth of Sisyphus, Camus (2018) draws upon the image of Sisyphus as a symbolic representation of the human struggle against absurdity, existence, and futility. Camus discussed several important themes such as:
- Lucidity and liberation
- Positivity in the face of absurdity
- Ethical revolt
- Critiques of totalitarianism
The significance of this work is in its exploration of the human condition and the implications for how we as humans live our lives in the face of existentialism, absurdity, and despair (Camus 2018). Camus reframes the absurd, integrates a positive outlook into his philosophy, and debates both political and ethical consequences.
Reading
Access the reading via the Internet Archive: The Myth of Sisyphus (pp. 84–86) (Camus 2018)
[This book has no page numbers, so use the Internet Archive reader’s page numbers.]
Discussion Questions
Exceptions to Moral Rules
The text discusses how all moral systems have exceptions to their own rules.
- What examples can you think of in our modern world that should determine when an exception is justified? Think about the ethical systems you engage in to help you come up with some examples (e.g. academic integrity, our legal/justice system, and our medical system).
Universal Beliefs and Ethics
- How do existentialist narratives of the utility principle impact our comprehension of morality? Does recognizing the inherent lack of value of life change how we should make our decisions?
Conflicting Observations
The reading discusses how different moral systems can be influenced by one’s personal wants, needs, and biases.
- How do you think utilitarianism can address or minimize the consequences of such bias compared to other frameworks?
Bibliography
Camus, Albert. 2018. The Myth of Sisyphus, Second Vintage International Edition. Translated by Justin O’Brien. New York: Vintage Books. https://archive.org/embed/albert-camus-the-myth-of-sisyphus-vintage-2018
How to Cite This Page
Purewal, Gurinder. 2024. “Existentialism: Confronting Nothingness (2) — Albert Camus.” In Great Thinkers, edited by Gurinder Purewal and Jenna Woodrow.. Kamloops, BC: TRU Open Press. https://greatthinkers.pressbooks.tru.ca/chapter/confronting-nothingness-camus/.
