A Quick Intro to The Absurdist Philosophy of Albert Camus – in 9 Short Points

Born in French Algeria in 1913, Camus's experiences with life's harshness underpin his philosophy. His works, including "The Myth of Sisyphus," explore the human condition's absurdity. Here’s all you need to know…

Camus's Absurdism posits that humans are in a constant, futile search for meaning in a universe that offers none. This realization can trigger an existential crisis. He refers to this tension as “the absurd".

In "The Myth of Sisyphus," Camus uses the Greek myth as a metaphor for life's struggle. Sisyphus is condemned to eternally roll a rock up a hill only for it to roll back down. Yet by accepting the absurdity of his condition, he can find happiness.

Despite the absurd, Camus rejects suicide as a solution. He argues for embracing it and living in defiant joy. Why? Because recognizing life's inherent meaninglessness doesn't prevent us from creating our own purpose.

Camus's "The Rebel" examines rebellion as an ethical response to oppression. He suggests that rebellion is a search for order against the chaos of existence. This rebellion is not just political but metaphysical. It's a revolt against death and meaninglessness.

Camus's Absurdism is often confused with nihilism, but he opposed nihilism's total rejection of meaning. Instead, he believed in creating personal meaning within the absurd. It’s why he emphasized individual freedom and the need for personal integrity/solidarity.

Camus' novel "The Stranger" embodies this. The protagonist, Meursault, is indifferent to his mother's death and kills a man without clear motive. His apathy is seen as a threat to societal norms because he doesn't "play the game" of pretending life has inherent meaning.

Camus's death in a car accident at 46 adds a poignant note to his philosophy. His Nobel Prize in 1957 recognized his ability to illuminate the human conscience in his literature, often reflecting on the absurdity of the human condition.

In short: Camus' philosophy is a call to embrace life's absurdity without surrendering to despair. In the midst of winter, he discovered an "invincible summer" within himself, a testament to human resilience.