A man on his own

Anthony V.

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A man on his own

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Abstract

Albert Camus (1913-1960) contributes insightful ideas into the philosophical genre of Existentialism. Here, he introduces his concept of the "absurd" or how it differs from the traditional sense of the word. After being acquainted with his work, it is evident how he prefers actual individuals to set ideologies. His ideas support the free thinker that defies society and wonders off alone. Such areas of interest surely contribute to the humanities in many ways. Albert Camus's idea of the absurd is what gives a man a reason to live, as there is no other reason or destiny other than the simple acceptance of one's world and even struggle.

Introduction
The concept of absurd hero
The undesirable forces of death and religion
The character of Sisyphus
Sisyphus's reason for punishment
Albert Camus's perspective on man and his reality
Conclusion
References

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[...] The story begins with the knowledge that Sisyphus has been banished to “ceaselessly rolling a rock to the top of a mountain, whence the stone would fall back of its own weight.” This is done with the belief that no other punishment is worse than “futile and hopeless labor.” Homer's side of the story states how Sisyphus was wisest and most prudent mortals.” Such an eternal punishment was a reaction from him stealing the gods' secrets. This entailed him knowing of the abduction of the daughter of Aespus, Aegina. [...]

[...] It is here that it is “like a breathing-space which returns as surely as his suffering, that is the hour of consciousness.” The reason why this myth is tragic is due to the character's consciousness. If he were constantly pushing the rock up the hill without it occasionally rolling down, it would be a far less severe punishment. For “where would his torture be, indeed, if at every step the hope of succeeding upheld He even compares Sisyphus to workmen of today; the existence becomes tragic only when the individual is conscious of such conditions. [...]

[...] Allegedly, he is near to death and “rashly wanted to test his wife's love.” He orders her to “cast his unburied body into the middle of the public square.” He then wakes in the underworld. However after begging and pleading, he convinces Pluto to give him permission to visit his wife, in order to chastise her. Once back on the beautiful Earth, he wants to stay there forever. He stays for many years, ignoring “recalls, signs of anger, and warnings.” However, the god, Mercury, is sent to forcefully return him to the underworld. [...]

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