French Existentialism Albert Camus Myth of the Sisyphus

Friedrich Nietzsche had a profound effect on French existentialism, and his influence is readily apparent in the works of Albert Camus and Jean Paul Sartre. Nietzsches teaching that reality is open to human making and imagination is nothing new; but Nietzsches contention that nearly the whole of human existence is framed by whatever stamp human beings place on it is a radical break with past classical and Enlightenment philosophy. Indeed, the fact that Nietzsches philosophy teaches that all morality and ends of human striving are constructs of the human mind lends itself to nihilism. Nevertheless, since ends and purpose of life are a result of mans making, it is plausible that men and women can set whatever goal they wish for themselves to give life meaning. Take for example, Albert Camus Myth of the Sisyphus. Camus tells us in his Myth that Myths are made of the imagination to breathe life into them. After discussing various interpretations of the Myth of Sisyphus, Camus takes issue with the interpretation that pushing the rock up the hill is an eternal punishment and that Sisyphus is some sort of tragic figure; instead, Camus allows that Sisyphus is joyful in his overcoming his punishment. Instead of bowing to the injustice foist upon him by the gods, Sisyphus endorses his fate, since he is convinced of the wholly human origin of all that is human, he can reinterpret his condition and view his situation as one that gives him his reason for being--and sinceShow MoreRelatedExistentialism And The Absurd By Albert Camus1186 Words   |  5 Pagesbooks, short stories, and plays, the French-Algerian writer Albert Camus relates to his philosophical beliefs: specifically existentialism and the absurd, as well as his connecting idea of rebellion. Camus’ most prominent works – such as the novels The Plague, The Stranger, The Rebel, and others – reflect these beliefs and ideas he held. Though he was and continues to be considered as one, Camus made a point of rejecting the label of an existentialist. Existentialism is essentially based on the ideaRead MoreEssay Theory of the Absurd1667 Words   |  7 Pagesover insignificant things and rejecting the notion of â€Å"logic.† Albert Camus, a major writer of the â€Å"Theatre of the Absurd†, construes the â€Å"Absurd† by completely varying this concept through the human personality, exemplified by The Stranger and â€Å"The Myth of Sisyphus.† Camus redefines the absurd by envisioning the â€Å"absurd† as a world consisting of â€Å"the struggle to find meaning where none exists† (Albert). In The Stranger, Camus writes about a man named Meursault, who one day is notified thatRead More Albert The Absurd Camus Essay1071 Words   |  5 PagesAlbert The Absurd Camus â€Å"Albert Camus is one of the most likeable and approachable of the mid-twentieth-century French authors† (Brosman 10).This is quite a compliment for Camus, but most would agree. In France, Albert is known for his many books, two which have made the French best-sellers list. His works are often read and studied in French secondary-school class rooms, introducing a countless number of students to his pieces each year. Camus also holds the high honor of receiving the NobelRead MoreAlbert Camus and Bohemian Rhapsody Comparison1695 Words   |  7 Pagesthe writings of â€Å"Queen† and Albert Camus Albert Camus was one of the most renowned authors during the early twentieth century. With writings such as The Stranger, and The Plague, Camus has struck the world of literature with amazing works that are analyzed to a great extent. This amazing success was not just handed to Camus on a silver platter however; Albert endured many hard times and was often encumbered with great illness in his short life. These hardships that Camus had to face, emphasized inRead MoreAlbert Camus-the Outsider1194 Words   |  5 PagesConor Cruise O’Brien. First published in French as L’Etranger in 1942, Albert Camus’ The Outsider addresses the constrictive nature of society and what happens when an individual tries to break free from the conformity forced upon him by staying true to himself, and following his own ideal of absolute truth and sincerity in every action. 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Sartre wrote essays about artists work which helped viewers translate philosophy into visual art and by doing this viewers are able to understand the reasons behind the artwork and along with the understanding comes a deeper appreciation for the art. If man is unexplainable it is because we make ourselves so if he is â€Å"indefinable it is because at first he is nothing†Read MoreHow The Search For Meaning And The Futility Of Labor1863 Words   |  8 Pageshumans, to some it is as essential to life as breathing is, but this search for meaning also has its drawbacks. It was the philosopher of absurdism, Albert Camus that said â€Å"I don’t know whether this world has a meaning that transcends. But I know that I cannot know that meaning and that it is impossible for me just to know it,† (Archon). To Camus, the absurd is an es sential part of the world and that it is the one constant truth; but the idea that the search for meaning in the universe is far tooRead MoreEssay on The Outsider by Albert Camus 1536 Words   |  7 PagesThe Outsider by Albert Camus BACKGROUND: ‘In our society,’ wrote Albert Camus, ‘any man who doesn’t cry at his mother’s funeral is liable to be condemned to death.’ This may seem a bewilderingly dramatic, almost self-indulgent sort of assertion, but it is one which Camus brought to life in The Outsider, and to frankly devastating effect. The Outsider has become something of a cult classic over the years, especially in undergraduate circles. It inspired The Cure’s ‘Killing an Arab’, a song whichRead MoreAnalysis Of The Book The Stranger 3437 Words   |  14 PagesClassic Connects to Other Philosophical Works Macy French Tusculum College Author’s Note This paper was prepared for Dr. Harlow’s Quest for Meaning class at Tusculum College Albert Camus once said â€Å"Forever I shall be a stranger to myself† (Camus, 1942/2004, p 453). In his classic novel, The Stranger, the main character is the archetypal absurd man who lives only in the realm of his own aesthetic until being faced with his own death (Camus, 1942). The themes of absurdity, the Existentialist