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Albert Camus on Absurdism and The Beauty of Pushing Rocks.

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5 mois ago

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“What’s the meaning of life?”

 

A question that we all have pondered over. Yet, there seems to be no clear answer, or at least, no definite one.

 

The meaning of life is a long-standing subject of philosophical inquiry. While some nihilists and pessimists deem it as an impossible equation to solve – concluding that life is meaningless and one should grow indifferent towards it–, many other philosophers spent most of their lives searching for ‘The answer’, only to arrive at drastically different conclusions. It’s as if the answer refuses to be found, yet the urge to ask the same question remains.

This conflict between humanity’s desire for meaning and the universe’s indifference is what Albert Camus called The Absurd. This absurdity arises from humanity’s restlessness, always asking “Why?” despite the clear lack of answers. So, instead of hopping on this endless search, Camus decided to change the question altogether.

“We must ask: is it possible to live without appeal?”

 

His answer was yes, arguing that we should not let ourselves search in vain for the meaning of life, but rather, let go of it entirely.

However, grasping such a concept is not an easy task. For how can you ask someone to accept letting go of the only thing that fuels their existence and gives sense to it?

Well, Absurdism dares to argue that acceptance is what will eventually lead to liberation.

When one is going through an existential crisis, Albert Camus proposes 3 solutions:

Solution 1: You run, in a metaphorical sense, by finding meaning in things or concepts that bring you peace and solace such as religion, moral values, principles, and guidelines…. However, this can be considered as philosophical suicide, because you are running away from the problem instead of confronting the possibility of failing at solving its very question. Escapism can never be the answer, especially when these external sources may not resonate with everyone.

Solution 2: You put an end to your life (Do not recommend).

Solution 3: You accept that there is no answer, that life is indeed meaningless, yet, still worth living. You simply move on.

 

The core of Absurdism aims to end one’s futile suffering and push people into embracing life despite the lack of inherent meaning. Giving up on finding ‘The answer’ will definitely be more challenging than the pursuit of discovering it but the consequences will be way less daunting. Here, one can notice that Absurdism and Stoicism meet. Both philosophies encourage people to accept what one can not control without deeming it as a failure but rather as a strength. You can only suffer if you choose to. It all boils down to a matter of choice at the end. What you give importance to will eventually affect you positively or negatively and it is your responsibility to choose well.

 

Perhaps, to better understand The Absurd one should take a look at the Greek myth of Sisyphus: A former king condemned by the gods to push a boulder uphill for all eternity only to watch it roll back down again once he reaches the hill’s summit. Sisyphus’s punishment is the perfect analogy to humanity’s unending search for meaning. For what’s more absurd than repeating a futile task to pursue a goal that can never be achieved?

Through his studies of this myth, Camus has come to one important and radical conclusion:

“One must imagine Sisyphus happy.”

 

But, happy in what sense?

How can someone be truly happy if their whole life is reduced to consecutive failures?

Doesn’t true happiness lie in achieving goals? What’s the point of any of this?

Well, for once, we have an answer:

Perhaps happiness is found in the uncertainty of it all.

Sure, for Sisyphus pushing a rock up a hill over and over again must be exhausting. But did you ever wonder if he grows to enjoy it over time? If all that eternal meaningless labor becomes an art of his own?

Camus likes to imagine Sisyphus smiling every time the rock rolls down the hill, for amid all that absurdity, the Greek king has found meaning: To revolt by making his punishment self-justifying.

Sisyphus fully accepts his situation and hence, he allows himself to give it his all by living with passion, even if that passion consists of pushing a ridiculously heavy rock forever (to each their own, no judgment).

 

Now, how can we apply Absurdism to our daily lives?

First, it’s vital to take everything with a grain of salt. Philosophy is made to aid humans during their journeys on earth, not to further complicate it. Hence, dearest reader, it is you who decides what to take and what to reject from every proposed belief. For theoretically, the idea of remaining indifferent in the face of meaninglessness can seem doable. But in reality, it’s easier said than done. One must admit that at times staring into the absurdity of life without succumbing to despair or trying to claw meaning out of the leftover pieces can seem impossible. Yet, spending the rest of our lives anxiously clinging to questions and participating in a cyclic race with no view of the finish line is also self-destructive. So, I personally believe that a balanced approach is the answer.

 

Living authentically, finding joy within the struggle, and embracing the chaos of it all are valuable principles that any absurdist stands for. Not knowing which path to take or what decision to make, and feeling constantly lost and adrift, are inevitable human experiences that each one of us went through at least once in his life. What matters the most is actively choosing to seize the suffering of desperately holding on to the ‘perfect’, whether it is the perfect career, the perfect relationship, the perfect life, or even the perfect lunch. Within hardship, the act of pushing through itself will become the meaning. Constantly worrying about the outcome and isolating oneself from the joys of the world will only bring despair and recurrent dissatisfaction. In that case, life will simply pass you by and you’ll only be a spectator.

 

In the end, meaning is not found but rather created. And if Sisyphus, a former king who’s condemned to spend the rest of eternity pushing a rock up and down a hill, has found happiness, then so can you.

Written By : Fatma Ben Romdhane.

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The Dual Nature of Fear: Protector and Parasite

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2 mois ago

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10 octobre 2024 [simplicity-save-for-later]

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Fear: Friend or Foe?

What if fear isn’t your enemy but your greatest ally? Explore how this powerful emotion secretly shapes your life and might be the key to unlocking your true self.

 

The Quest for Self-Discovery

As individuals and members of the human race, we should devote our greatest effort to discovering who we truly are. We often arrogantly proclaim to know ourselves better than anyone else, but do we? When we hear the word “fear,” what’s the first thing that comes to mind? It likely conjures images of trauma and negative experiences. This amalgamation of letters has gripped many of us, playing a significant role in our existence.

 

Fear’s Significance and History

“Fear.” This small word may seem insignificant, yet it is full of meaning and history. Most people deeply care about their lives, and this tendency exists thanks to fear, even if many tremble at the mere mention of it.

 

The Denial of Fear

As humans, we have a tendency to deny what we don’t understand. We often deny our fear. This is understandable; we are naturally drawn to heroic narratives. Everyone loves tales of bravery and fearlessness. We revel in stories of victory and triumph. So, why should we care about fear?

 

Fear as a Fundamental Human Trait

Fear is a fundamental aspect of our humanity. What kind of brave person denies their true identity, unless we are discussing cowardice? Fear is a powerful emotion; it can speak without uttering a word. While fear may make us seem weak or inferior, it can also affirm our humanity. Fear serves as both a guardian and a ruler, governing our choices and decisions. And believe me, ruling is no easy task, especially in an unstable democracy of emotions and chemicals.

 

Fear as a Survival Mechanism

When the kingdom is under attack, fear can override reason and logic to ensure survival, even if the perceived danger is illusory. Fear acts as a musician, playing the drumbeats of our lives, its music resonating with the world around us. This vibration takes hold of the souls of all living beings.

 

Fear’s Role in Time and Perception

When fear takes charge, we feel our existence connect with the universe. We sense our lives intertwining with something vast and complex. Time slows down, transforming into something else entirely, while our perception sharpens, turning our world into a battlefield.

 

Fear as the Overprotective Mother

Fear can be likened to an overprotective mother, striving to shield her children, yet her protectiveness may hinder their growth and limit their potential. This complex emotion plays dual roles, serving as both protector and sage.

 

Fear’s Parasitic Nature

This inherited facet of our evolution influences our daily behaviors and shapes our character. At times, it turns into a parasite, draining our energy and hindering our progress. Unlike typical parasites, this inner fire originates from our own being; it can stifle our movement or compel us to act impulsively.

 

Fear’s Betrayal in Communication

This force can sometimes act disloyally, betraying its creator. For example, when our fear of judgment undermines our ability to communicate clearly, it jeopardizes our goals ,whether making a good impression or articulating a point. Miscommunication often leads to misunderstandings.

 

The Overwhelming Force of Fear

Viewing the world from this perspective can be enlightening, even if we cannot prove we share the same perceptions. When fear becomes overwhelming, it can manifest as a mentally unstable individual grappling with severe trust issues. This emotion does not easily relinquish control over our destiny or our capacity for change.

 

Fear’s Relationship with Learning and Future Prediction

Fear compels us to obsess over predicting the future and learning from the past, as it intensely despises pain, especially when repeated. Fear’s aversion to pain fuels our motivation and imagination, enabling us to predict effectively and avoid obstacles. Surprisingly, fear can accelerate the learning process.

 

Fear’s Role in Human Beliefs

This complex chemical response empowers human beliefs and convictions, adding a unique spark that transforms them into dogma, shaping our behavior. Fear renders beliefs unquestionable; when we deny our beliefs, we deny our identity. All humans have standards, fortified by fear. Without fear, we are nobody. Fear is, in essence, us.

 

Modern Fears and Illusions

Our fears of change, rejection, the unknown, failure, loneliness, dissatisfaction, and unmet expectations are illusions that have become overly significant in our lives. While desire undeniably influences these fears, they have overshadowed fear’s original purpose: survival and the preservation of our existence.

 

Mental Survival in the 21st Century

We still engage in the same primitive survival game, but today’s survival is more mental than physical. In the 21st century, we battle internal dangers and threats. The technological and scientific revolution has shifted our struggles from the external world to our minds.

 

Emptiness and the Human Spirit

Homo sapiens no longer strive to coexist with the external world; our focus has shifted to mental survival. Humanity, with its problem-solving tendencies, may even create challenges just to enjoy overcoming them. While we abhor pain, we also cannot tolerate emptiness.

 

Fear and the Freedom of Choice

The human spirit is unaccustomed to emptiness and the freedom of choice. We thrive under pressure. Fear, once selected by nature for survival, has become less useful in a world dominated by peace. Our violent nature, no longer expressed physically, threatens either our destruction or our evolution.

 

The Inner Predators

If violence once protected us from external threats, today’s predators reside within us. Can we protect ourselves from ourselves and our potential actions? This is a question we must explore.

 

The Future of Fear

We try to envision virtual dangers to validate fear, but how long can this continue? Is it possible that fear will eventually be selected out by nature and become obsolete? If fear’s only remaining role is in competition, isn’t that more closely related to greed, desire, and humanity’s inherent hunger for power and occupation? Can fear survive in the modern world? That is the question.

 

Written By: Habib Riden

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