Albert Camus

Three Philosophical Movements l “Take out your “Albert Camus” notes.

Three Philosophical Movements l “Nature” l What do your friends say is your “nature?” –“Mr. Kim’s has a wacky and humorous nature.” –“Students say Mr. Wydra has a caring nature.” –“Students say Mr. McAdams has a sensitive nature.” –“Fans say Allen Iverson has an arrogant nature.” –You have 1 minute. What is your “nature” according to friends. Write on the lines, beside the slide.

Three Philosophical Movements l Existentialism: A belief that neither human beings nor the universe has any essential nature. Human beings construct their natures through their choices. We are who we are by our CHOICES. –What do you think? Do you believe your “nature” is a choice? Or do you have no control over your “nature?” For example: I’m just angry by nature. I get pissed easily. Is this your nature, or do you have a choice? 2 minutes

Three Philosophical Movements l Do you believe that “things happen for a reason?” l Who creates these “reasons?” You, or the universe, or God? l Example: A man finds a hundred dollar bill on the street. A bus blows a tire and swerves and kills the man. The man’s wife is looking for “reasons” this happened. Who supplies the “reason?” –“This happened for a reason,” the wife said. “He’s just in a better place now.”

Camus’ Absurdism Define “absurd.” Provide examples of items or ideas that are absurd.

Camus’ Absurdism l “Everything happens for a reason.” l Who determines meaning for us in this statement? Us? Or Nature (The Universe)? Or God? l Absurdism says we are childish in thinking that nature gives us answers. Nature doesn’t care. We have to create meaning, which means choosing reasons why bad and good events happen. (Show penguin). l world-2007.html world-2007.html world-2007.html l (Google Chrome)

Three Philosophical Movements l Absurdism: A belief that our need for meaning is greater than the ability of the universe to be meaningful, making all philosophical positions absurd. –For instance, the man’s wife, who is sad, wants an “answer” for his bizarre death. Absurdism says the universe will NOT give her answers. She has to figure it out. l Make a comment or question on this PPT. I will call on you.

Three Philosophical Movements l Existentialism: A belief that neither human beings nor the universe has any essential nature (meaning). Human beings construct their natures (meaning) through their choices. l Absurdism: A belief that our need for meaning is greater than the ability of the universe to be meaningful, making all philosophical positions absurd.

Camus ’ Existential Moralism l Human beings inhabit a moral universe in which there are no absolute guidelines. There are “legal” guidelines and “social” guidelines, but nothing can really “stop” us from action. Nonetheless, we have an ethical sense that we try to live up to—most of us want to be “ good people, ” though it is difficult to pin down exactly what this means. (BEING A GOOD PERSON ALSO MEANS DEFINING EXACTLY WHAT THAT MEANS) Nonetheless, we have an ethical sense that we try to live up to—most of us want to be “ good people, ” though it is difficult to pin down exactly what this means. (BEING A GOOD PERSON ALSO MEANS DEFINING EXACTLY WHAT THAT MEANS)

Camus ’ Existential Moralism l Define what being a good person means. What do you have to believe, and what type of actions? –Example: “I believe that in order to be a good person, I have to help others who are less fortunate than me.” –“I believe in order to be a good person, I have to feed my dog.” l You have 2 minutes to work with a partner.

Camus ’ Existential Moralism l Life constantly presents us with moral choices without giving us the right answers l The various ways that we try to define a moral code and live by it constitute our moral being. l We define ourselves as moral beings by the choices that we make within the ethical system that we construct.

Camus’ Absurdism l There is no natural meaning in the world. There is no “right” or “wrong” answer to moral choices. It is only when we provide the meaning. Right or wrong are determined by humans, not by a natural “being.”

Camus’ Absurdism l The belief that our desire for meaning is greater than the capacity of the universe to produce meaning. l Example: A traumatized child brings a blankie along for comfort and support. One day, a burglar breaks into the house, and the child is pissed when the blankie does not protect him. The child’s belief in the blankie, the desire for meaning he wants for it, is greater than the ability of the universe to provide meaning. It is the child that puts it in.

Camus’ Absurdism l Once we get over the fact that nature doesn’t give a rat’s a*$ about us, once we understand how our need for nature to provide meaning is “absurd,” we can move on. l Watch “Tsunami Engulfs a man” l We can now say that it is US, WE provide meaning through our values and moral codes. This is personal freedom. This is the role absurdism plays in making us closer.

Choice We need to choose our moral guidelines. These are called “values.” When we choose our values, we have ultimate freedom, because our choices are guided not by absurd, automatic impulses, but by deliberate choice at the highest level.

Choice Below are a set of values. Choose from most important to least important. Courage, love, freedom, intimacy, health, financial security, passion, friendship, comfort, peace, creativity, popularity. Example: 1)Love2) Health3) freedom 4) Courage5) Passion

Choice Was it determined by the ranked values? Or did you base your decision on something random? Example: I chose to hang out with my friends more instead of my girlfriend. Do you see how “freedom” and “Love” can sometimes conflict? This is why life is so damn HARD. Your top values might conflict! Example: 1)Love2) Health3) freedom 4) Courage5) Passion

Choice What was the most difficult choice you had to make in the past year? Was it determined by the ranked values? Or did you base your decision on something random? Example: I chose to hang out with my friends more instead of my girlfriend. Example: 1)Love2) Health3) freedom 4) Courage5) Passion

Meursault’s Ironic Situation Only when he is in prison, when he is sentenced to death, does he understand the meaningful freedom he has. Like us. It is only when we understand the certainty of our death do we embrace how much we are alive. We see this post 9-11 and in platitudinous phrases like “Yolo.” Only when he is in prison, when he is sentenced to death, does he understand the meaningful freedom he has. Like us. It is only when we understand the certainty of our death do we embrace how much we are alive. We see this post 9-11 and in platitudinous phrases like “Yolo.”

Meursault’s Choice Meursault’s choice of whether to kill the Arab or to walk away represents the kinds of moral choices that we all make: there are no solid guidelines for him to use, but there are genuine moral consequences to whatever he decides. Meursault’s choice of whether to kill the Arab or to walk away represents the kinds of moral choices that we all make: there are no solid guidelines for him to use, but there are genuine moral consequences to whatever he decides.