On Absurdism
I came across a beautiful essay today by Albert Camus (1913-1960), the French-Algerian philosopher. I’d heard of the myth of Sisyphus before but hadn’t explored the thought behind it. Camus' essay is foundational in absurdist philosophy, addressing humanity's desire to find meaning in life, despite the universe’s indifference.
Camus & The Myth of Sisyphus
The essay focuses on Sisyphus, who is condemned to an eternal punishment in the underworld, rolling a rock up a hill only to have it fall back down repeatedly. The absurdity comes from Sisyphus’ awareness of the meaninglessness of his situation. Yet, he seems to accept his fate and continues with determination, despite knowing his efforts are futile.
During the brief time when Sisyphus descends the mountain, he is aware that his struggle is meaningless and will lead him nowhere. The central argument of the essay is that life itself is a futile struggle devoid of hope. However, Camus also suggests that Sisyphus' fate is only horrible if he continues to hope—hope that there’s something better out there, something meaningful. Our fate only seems terrifying when there's a preferable alternative to contrast it with.
I think we only begin to find life precious when we realize there’s no better alternative, and we can only fill it with meaning when we accept that it’s void of any objective meaning and is nothing but what we make of it through the means of our perception.
Everyday Absurdities
Absurdism isn’t just a distant philosophical concept, it shows up in everyday life:
- Small Talk - My personal favorite. How many of us can't stand engaging in surface-level conversations out of social politeness? Well, of course, they serve a social function, but the sheer amount of empty conversations we endure to, if lucky enough, reach deeper, meaningful discussions is absurd. I look at it this way - it’s exhausting, but there's always a chance for a valuable connection at the end.
- Routine Tasks - Everyday chores are inherently absurd because they are never-ending. No matter how often we complete these tasks, they always return, reflecting the Sisyphean nature of life.
- Consumerism and Happiness - At one point or another, all of us chase happiness through material goods, only to find that satisfaction is fleeting. The constant pursuit of fulfillment through consumption is absurd, yet we knowingly repeat it.
- Working for Retirement - People sacrifice years of their life for the promise of happiness in retirement, only to face new challenges when they finally get there. This endless postponing of happiness—waiting for “when the kids grow up” or “when I have time”—is absurd, for the right time will never come, and it’ll keep passing either way. Many remain stuck in jobs that leave no time for personal fulfillment, pursuing lives defined by society’s expectations rather than personal growth. It’s a frightening thought, especially when these lives revolve around mere survival or stagnation.
The Three Options
Camus once said the only serious philosophical problem is suicide, or whether life is worth living. I believe that if we’ve been given life, it’s worth living. The problem is that we’re trying to find an eternal or transcendental meaning through means of religion, philosophy, cosmology, etc., but we really don’t need to think beyond our own lifespan to fill our life with meaning. By choosing to live, we affirm that life has value, even in the face of absurdity.
Camus suggests three ways to confront the absurd:
- Suicide (physical or philosophical)
- A religious or philosophical leap of faith
- Acceptance and revolt
Camus argues that we should embrace the absurd and find meaning in the struggle itself. His conclusion—that we must imagine Sisyphus as happy—captures the essence of this philosophy.
Why Sisyphus Can Be Seen as Happy:
- He is fully aware of his fate, giving him clarity (we’re all aware of the destination we’re heading toward).
- He rebels against his punishment by continuing to push the rock despite its futility (despite it, we choose to live with passion and curiosity for as long as we breathe).
- He creates his own meaning through his attitude and perception (even though we don’t know what comes after our departure from the earth, we don’t let it deprive our present existence of meaning).
Absurdism vs. Nihilism
Absurdism and nihilism both deal with the lack of inherent meaning in life, but they lead to different conclusions. While nihilism accepts the meaninglessness and rejects all values, I think absurdism offers a more optimistic approach. Absurdism acknowledges the lack of objective meaning but encourages us to create our own.
Nihilism can lead to despair and even anarchy. If nothing matters, why follow social rules or pursue any goals? In contrast, absurdism finds freedom in the struggle. It encourages us to live fully, with passion, despite life’s lack of purpose. Nihilism can lead to apathy, but absurdism pushes us toward active engagement with life.
In my view, absurdism offers a more balanced and productive way to navigate life’s inherent lack of meaning. Instead of giving in to despair, we can choose to rebel against the absurd, finding meaning in our own actions and attitudes. We can paint our existence in all the colors we can imagine.