Camus claimed that the condition of human beings in the world is fundamentally absurd What does he mean by this?
In normal language, something is usually called absurd because it is lacking its proper proportions. For instance, an ugly man is absurd in wanting a supermodel as his girlfriend.
For Camus, man wants meaning from the world, a unity and an order of values in existence. This want is completely out of proportion in a godless and meaningless world that ends inevitably in death. The universe is silent and indifferent. This relation between the human consciousness and the world is the Absurd.
Camus develops the idea of the "absurd man“ - the man who is periodically conscious of the ultimate futility of life. This notion directly opposes the idea of faith which is characteristic of most religions.
The search for truth is seen as futile, as modes of perception are constantly changing due to fluctuation of their axioms, which may be manifest as a consistent set of beliefs directly conflicting with those once thought irrefutable. Camus concludes that Sisyphus is the ultimate absurd hero.
Camus presents Sisyphus's ceaseless and pointless toil as a metaphor for modern lives spent working at futile jobs in factories and offices.
"The workman of today works every day in his life at the same tasks, and this fate is no less absurd. But it is tragic only at the rare moments when it becomes conscious."
Camus also discusses the question of suicide and the value of life, using the myth of Sisyphus as a metaphor for life itself. In doing so he introduces the philosophy of the absurd, which holds that our lives are meaningless and have no values other than those we create.
`anmari has been spreading her infectious positivity throughout our community for over 6 years. Throughout this time Ana has been at the core of all things devious, passionately developing an eclectic gallery, helping organise devmeets, participating in chat events and also recently completed dedicating her time as a Community Volunteer. We are absolutely delighted to bestow the Deviousness Award for May 2013 to `anmari, congratulations! Read More
Sta.sh
I looked at it when it was smaller, you know, just searching through some stuff, and I thought, "How interesting, hands sticking out of the ground holding a lightbulb" Then I realised they were forks. And that makes it even more interesting!!
I have featured this work in my journal [link]