April 3 – Sisyphus & Mersault Agenda: Quick-Write Solipsism: What is Real? Sisyphus: Discussion Readings: “The Absurd Man” “The Absurd Hero” Mersault the Absurdist Homework: Finish part 1 (chapters 5 and 6) Take out: Pen/Pencil Homework The Stranger Notebook Notes: Absurdism

Quick-write How do the red pill and the spoon in The Matrix reflect absurdism? Watch: Blue or Red? There is no spoon…

Solipsism: What is Real? Solipsism is the philosophical belief that the only thing that one’s mind can be assured of is the existence of one’s mind; everything else could be a manifestation thereof It is both irrefutable and indefensible Links to the absurdist view of the futility of striving for understanding outside of one’s own experience Solipsist thought: “I think, therefor I am” – Descartes “…it is not the spoon that bends; it is only yourself.” – The Matrix “That’s when Maman’s friends came in… But I couldn’t hear them, and it was hard for me to believe they really existed.” – The Stranger

The Myth of Sisyphus What actions have made Sisyphus into the absurd hero? Camus asserts that the myth becomes tragic if the hero is conscious. Explain this idea. When can an absurdist claim that “all is well”? Explain how this is the “absurd victory”. Why does Camus conclude that “one must imagine Sisyphus happy”?

The Absurd Man & The Absurd Hero What are the characteristics of the “absurd man”? Explain the absurdist reasoning that “‘Everything is permitted’ does not mean that nothing is forbidden.” Explain Camus’ assertion that “in the absurd world, the value of a notion or of a life is measured by its sterility.” According to Camus, why is suicide not “a legitimate answer to the human predicament”? What must one do in order to live an absurd life? What is the value of an absurd life?

Mersault the Absurdist For each of the following quotes, explain the following: What is the context of the quotation? Which of the characters does the quotation refer to? How does it reflect the ideas of absurdism?