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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
Wasn’t in the right headspace. Requires a lot of concentration and reflection.
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Honestly I still have no idea what camus means other than that life is absurd and I probably will have to Reread but better than plato
challenging
reflective
slow-paced
reflective
medium-paced
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
reflective
slow-paced
"The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion" - Albert Camus
We are all living in a world without any inherent meaning, according to Albert Camus. I first encountered the idea of absurdism a decade ago when I read The Stranger, a novel where the main character experiences a sense of detachment and indifference to the world. This illustrates absurdism — the notion that life can feel devoid of meaning, yet we continue to exist within it. Later, I read The Plague where the absurd was shown through the struggles of those enduring a pandemic — like the COVID-19 pandemic — where suffering seems arbitrary and reason fails to provide answers. Here, in The Myth of Sisyphus, the absurd is not just depicted but instead explained and analyzed.
Camus outlines the absurd nature of the world we live in. In our daily lives, we sometimes operate on autopilot, where our habits dictate our actions rather than thoughtful reflection — after all, we are creatures of habit. Camus suggests that the mind will eventually start to question the “why” in our daily lives — why we work, why we struggle, why we exist at all. We will try to find meaning in our actions, struggles and existence itself. At times, some may spend their entire lives questioning everything until death. This search for meaning is paradoxical since finding meaning in a world that is already inherently meaningless is, itself, absurd.
Unlike existentialists who attempt to create meaning in the meaningless, Camus suggests a different approach. Instead of seeking an escape or artificial meaning — whether through hope, religion, or despair — we should acknowledge the absurd and embrace it. He argues that we may find some form of liberation in what he calls revolt. He proposes that we should embrace life fully, accepting its lack of inherent purpose while continuing to live with passion and intensity. Through this perspective, The Myth of Sisyphus challenges us to confront the absurd, not as something to be resolved, but as something to be embraced. From this world view, one may find a deeper sense of freedom by not having to search for meaning in everything but by living in defiance of the absurd itself.
In the overwhelming face of the universe, we are all like tiny ants where our actions, struggles and accomplishments are self contained in our utter existence and devoid of inherent meaning. "Meaning" and "purpose" are human constructs that may help us cope with the existence and vastness of the chemistry and physical laws that make up our universe. Nature does not ask why it exists; it simply is. Yet we, unable to exist without reason, weave stories to make the vastness feel like home. However, paradoxically, this view of the universe or world gives a rather hopeful outlook. Accepting this reality and letting go of trying to find meaning and answers in everything is possibly the first step. Acknowledging the reality that many generations later we will be forgotten is another. Some may mistake this for a form of nihilism but Albert Camus does not advocate for nihilism — absurdism is his answer to it. To survive and to revolt against this nihilistic view is to embrace the absurd — by immersing ourselves in life as it is, finding the joy in the present moment, embracing life's contradictions, and recognizing both the absurdity and beauty of our existence.
This perspective allows me to find the joy in the doings of my everyday. When performing my duties, I can immerse myself in the present and find joy in doing the mundane, such as enjoying studying for the sake of studying and not for some means to an end. Also, whenever I get upset over a situation, I can ask myself, "Is what I am feeling about this absurd?" Most of the time, the answer is yes, because what upsets me may have no inherent meaning in the grand scheme of the world. The circumstance is only upsetting if I give it a meaning or attach myself to the circumstance in how it ought to be. Another current situation in which the absurd can be observed is the ongoing wars and conflicts existing today. Each side assigns great meaning to their cause, they attach their pride to it, in believing this meaning is worth fighting for and dying for; that, in itself, is a manifestation of the absurd. It possibly better to accept the reality of the world and our lives for what it is — to find joy in our relationships with others, to show compassion to others, to help others, to immerse ourselves in our crafts for its own sake and enjoy life for what it is since at the end of the day we are all in this absurd world together. Camus does say, “The struggle itself towards the heights is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy." Likewise, we ought to imagine ourselves happy in finding joy within our struggles.
We are all living in a world without any inherent meaning, according to Albert Camus. I first encountered the idea of absurdism a decade ago when I read The Stranger, a novel where the main character experiences a sense of detachment and indifference to the world. This illustrates absurdism — the notion that life can feel devoid of meaning, yet we continue to exist within it. Later, I read The Plague where the absurd was shown through the struggles of those enduring a pandemic — like the COVID-19 pandemic — where suffering seems arbitrary and reason fails to provide answers. Here, in The Myth of Sisyphus, the absurd is not just depicted but instead explained and analyzed.
Camus outlines the absurd nature of the world we live in. In our daily lives, we sometimes operate on autopilot, where our habits dictate our actions rather than thoughtful reflection — after all, we are creatures of habit. Camus suggests that the mind will eventually start to question the “why” in our daily lives — why we work, why we struggle, why we exist at all. We will try to find meaning in our actions, struggles and existence itself. At times, some may spend their entire lives questioning everything until death. This search for meaning is paradoxical since finding meaning in a world that is already inherently meaningless is, itself, absurd.
Unlike existentialists who attempt to create meaning in the meaningless, Camus suggests a different approach. Instead of seeking an escape or artificial meaning — whether through hope, religion, or despair — we should acknowledge the absurd and embrace it. He argues that we may find some form of liberation in what he calls revolt. He proposes that we should embrace life fully, accepting its lack of inherent purpose while continuing to live with passion and intensity. Through this perspective, The Myth of Sisyphus challenges us to confront the absurd, not as something to be resolved, but as something to be embraced. From this world view, one may find a deeper sense of freedom by not having to search for meaning in everything but by living in defiance of the absurd itself.
In the overwhelming face of the universe, we are all like tiny ants where our actions, struggles and accomplishments are self contained in our utter existence and devoid of inherent meaning. "Meaning" and "purpose" are human constructs that may help us cope with the existence and vastness of the chemistry and physical laws that make up our universe. Nature does not ask why it exists; it simply is. Yet we, unable to exist without reason, weave stories to make the vastness feel like home. However, paradoxically, this view of the universe or world gives a rather hopeful outlook. Accepting this reality and letting go of trying to find meaning and answers in everything is possibly the first step. Acknowledging the reality that many generations later we will be forgotten is another. Some may mistake this for a form of nihilism but Albert Camus does not advocate for nihilism — absurdism is his answer to it. To survive and to revolt against this nihilistic view is to embrace the absurd — by immersing ourselves in life as it is, finding the joy in the present moment, embracing life's contradictions, and recognizing both the absurdity and beauty of our existence.
This perspective allows me to find the joy in the doings of my everyday. When performing my duties, I can immerse myself in the present and find joy in doing the mundane, such as enjoying studying for the sake of studying and not for some means to an end. Also, whenever I get upset over a situation, I can ask myself, "Is what I am feeling about this absurd?" Most of the time, the answer is yes, because what upsets me may have no inherent meaning in the grand scheme of the world. The circumstance is only upsetting if I give it a meaning or attach myself to the circumstance in how it ought to be. Another current situation in which the absurd can be observed is the ongoing wars and conflicts existing today. Each side assigns great meaning to their cause, they attach their pride to it, in believing this meaning is worth fighting for and dying for; that, in itself, is a manifestation of the absurd. It possibly better to accept the reality of the world and our lives for what it is — to find joy in our relationships with others, to show compassion to others, to help others, to immerse ourselves in our crafts for its own sake and enjoy life for what it is since at the end of the day we are all in this absurd world together. Camus does say, “The struggle itself towards the heights is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy." Likewise, we ought to imagine ourselves happy in finding joy within our struggles.
challenging
informative
medium-paced
challenging
informative
reflective
tense
slow-paced
Este es un caso real de: "no eres tú, soy yo". Teniendo en cuenta que mis notas son re subjetivas, no puedo darle más de dos estrellas puesto que no entendí más de la mitad jajajajaj 🫣🧐. Llegué a este ensayo porque ganó para lectura conjunta en un club de lectura al que pertenezco, creo que ganó sobre otros ensayos y libros de no ficción por la fama del autor, pero claramente una cosa es novela y otra cosa ensayo y para sacarle el jugo a esta lectura necesitaba una base de la que carezco completamente. Afortunadamente pude compender ciertos elementos porque el moderador del club es filósofo y nos dio tips para dummies y porque algunos párrafos eran más conclusivos y menos referenciales, si se puede decir así.
Lo terminé por terquedad, porque es cortico y por cierto orgullo, ese que me decía que el tema me interesa, que quiero aprender de filosofía, que me llama la atención, que podía, pero en definitiva necesito textos más baby steps 😅.
Lo terminé por terquedad, porque es cortico y por cierto orgullo, ese que me decía que el tema me interesa, que quiero aprender de filosofía, que me llama la atención, que podía, pero en definitiva necesito textos más baby steps 😅.
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced