The Partially Examined Life Philosophy Podcast

Episode 4: Camus and the Absurd

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Jun 22, 2009
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INSIGHT

Camus' Moral Response to Absurdity

  • Camus sees absurdity as the inevitable tension between human reason and an indifferent, unknowable world.
  • He argues that the only morally respectable response is to live in continual awareness of this tension without denials or escape.
ADVICE

Don't Escape the Absurd by Suicide

  • Camus advises against suicide despite absurdity because it erases one term of the absurd relation.
  • He recommends resisting easy escapes like religion or self-elimination, and instead maintaining awareness of the absurd.
INSIGHT

Addressing the Meaning Seekers

  • Everyone possesses a deep craving for meaning; Camus assumes this is universal.
  • His essay specifically addresses those who perceive life's absurdity yet still seek meaning, guiding them away from suicide.
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