The Stranger Albert Camus

Topics to Consider Absurdism Existentialism Nihilism Albert Camus

In January 1955, Camus wrote: I summarized The Stranger a long time ago, with a remark I admit was highly paradoxical: 'In our society any man who does not weep at his mother's funeral runs the risk of being sentenced to death.' I only meant that the hero of my book is condemned because he does not play the game.[2]

Camus Background Born: November 7th, 1913 in French-controlled Algeria Died: January 4th, 1960--aged 46, car accident with an unused train ticket in his pocket

Nobel Prize in Literature In 1957, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in literature "for his important literary production, which with clear-sighted earnestness illuminates the problems of the human conscience in our times".

Camus’ Philosophy Absurdism vs Existentialism vs Nihilism

Absurdism vs Existentialism vs Nihilism Absurdism originated from (as well as alongside) the 20th- century strains of existentialism and nihilism, and so it shares some prominent starting points with, though also entails conclusions that are uniquely distinct from, these other schools of thought. All three arose from the human experience of anguish and confusion stemming from the Absurd: the apparent meaninglessness in a world in which humans, nevertheless, are so compelled to find or create meaning.[7]

Nihilism Nihilists contend that “it is futile to seek or to affirm meaning where none can be found.” Camus fought against this concept through his literature and journalism.

Existentialism Existentialists have generally advocated the individual’s construction of his or her own meaning in life as well as the free will of the individual. Camus is often referred to as an existentialist, though he refutes that several times through his writings.

Absurdism In philosophy, "the Absurd" refers to the conflict between the human tendency to seek inherent value and meaning in life and the human inability to find any.

Absurdism Accordingly, absurdism is a philosophical school of thought stating that the efforts of humanity to find inherent meaning will ultimately fail (and hence are absurd) because the sheer amount of information as well as the vast realm of the unknown make total certainty impossible.

Absurdism Absurdists, following Camus's formulation, hesitantly allow the possibility for some meaning or value in life, but are neither as certain as existentialists are about the value of one's own constructed meaning nor as nihilists are about the total inability to create meaning.

Absurdism Absurdists following Camus also devalue or outright reject free will, encouraging merely that the individual live defiantly and authentically in spite of the psychological tension of the Absurd.[9] Camus stated that individuals should embrace the absurd condition of human existence while also defiantly continuing to explore and search for meaning.[2]

Credit All text taken from Wikipedia. Thanks, Internet.