Albert Camus

[Fires of History]

Quote: from guerrillaradio on 1:01 pm on April 21, 2002
Isn't The Plague more a demonstration of the pointlessness of human existence?? I'm yet to finish it, but I find myself asking, why does Rieux bother trying to save all those lives??

Guerrillaradio,

Agreed. I meant my 'god' comment as related to Camus' sharp critique and challenge to religion by the suffering of innocents. Which I think The Plague explores quite well.

But you're quite correct. The pointlessness of existence is surely explored in depth. The separation and isolation of each character is essential in understanding this work. The desperate isolation of humanity, I think, is one of Camus' lasting contributions to philosophy, and couples well with his concept of The Absurd. "The absurd is born of the confrontation between the human call and the unreasonable silence of the world." -Albert Camus. He seems to point out continually throughout his works that such desperate isolation is indeed the human condition. And I couldn't agree more.

I like this work because Camus seems to prescribe humanistic compassion as the ultimate justification for existence. And, surely, one of the best ways to create meaning in such a meaningless world.

Through the example of Rieux, I believe, Camus is pointing out a true basis for 'humanity,' compassion and fighting the injustices that prevail.

Why do you think Rieux decided to help?

[guerrillaradio]

First and foremost, because he's a doctor, but secondly because he thinks it's common decency. He justifies himself in the book, I can't remember what he actually says cos I'm exhausted :(

Camus depicts his characters very well. Rieux's the humanitarian, Rambert's the emotional one, Tarrou's the quiet one. They represent different personalities and priorities amongst society.

The isolation point I definitely agree with. One of the most interesting parts of The Plague is when they all visit the quaratine areas, and see camus' forced isolation.

I'll add more later on if I feel like it, but now, for the first time in ages, I'm exhausted. Looks like cutting down the coffee helped...lol.

[guerrillaradio]

Just a thought: so through Rieux, Camus justifies our existence by saying we should dedicate it to saving others?? So, we live to make others live?? I'm not convinced...surely saving someone's life is a means to an end, ie so they can enjoy the benefits and MEANING of existence.

[Fires of History]

I'm certainly not saying that Camus has an all-encompassing prescription for 'meaning' in this meaningless world. After all, as Camus says, "It was previously a question of finding out whether or not life had to have a meaning to be lived. It now becomes clear, on the contrary, that it will be lived all the better if it has no meaning."

Camus, to me, is a master at illustrating the inherent absurdity of human life, and the profound meaninglessness of it all. I simply think that Camus found meaning for himself in all this chaos through his own perceived moral integrity and fight for social solidarity. But who knows. The search for 'truth,' for 'meaning,' anywhere 'out there' is pointless anyway in my opinion.

The general impression I get from Camus' works is that there is no meaning 'out there.' I simply think Camus, in talking about how he found meaning for himself, refers to rebellion and compassion as sources that he personally found. But I don't think he is trying to say that "we live to make others live."

One of my favorite quote from The Plague is, "It is hard to say if this sermon had any effect on our townsfolk. M. Othon, the magistrate, assured Dr. Rieux that he had found the preacher's arguments 'absolutely irrefutable.' But not everybody took so unqualified a view. To some the sermon simply brought home the fact that they had been sentenced, for an unknown crime, to an indeterminate period of punishment. And while a good many people adapted themselves to confinement and carried on their humdrum lives as before, there were others who rebelled and whose one idea now was to break loose from the prison-house."

I just happen to agree with Camus that rebellion is an essential part of freedom from life's prison. I know that my activism has created a great sense of meaning for me, but I also know all too well that it is, in the end, still meaningless.

I think, more than anything, that Camus refines much of Sartre's thinking; and both seem to ask, Why are you looking for meaning 'out there'?

[andresG]

I just finished reading Albert Camus', The Stranger. Does anyone who has read it care to share their opinion on it?

[Menshevik]

It's the one piece of Camus' that is very different from his others. His other books seem to have a common theme--even though life is seemingly pointless that doesn't mean there is no room left for joy and for hope. The Stranger does not have this gratifying theme, typical existentialism (Camus ironically claimed his work was existentialist). But the Stranger is one of my favorites as grim as it may be.

[andresG]

Menshevik:
I haven't read any of Albert Camus' other works so I can't comment but it does seem like The Stranger offers no hope for a better day to come. What other writing by Albert Camus do you suggest for me to read next?

[Menshevik]

The Myth of Sysiphus is the most uplifting in my opinion. Camus shows us how pointless life can be with its ups and its downs, but when we reach the "top of the mountain" we can experience true happiness and begin to understand what it means to be a human being. I also suggest the plague, very good. His other philosophical essays are a bit complicated but interesting nonetheless.

[Fires of History]

AndresG,

Read The Rebel next, I think you'll like it.

About The Stranger, I find Meursault a man of indifference. He is faced with an absurd world, and in the end is judged by outside, absurd forces that dictate his fate. Camus would have us fight against such forces in my opinion.

[kingbee]

im flicking through the rebel at the mo. its pretty good. (i dont read, i flick through books)

[joseph K]

The stranger is not separate from Camus other works it is part of a trilogy of the absurd which includes Caligula and Sisyphus.

Meursault is a creation through which Camus expresses the philosophy of the absurd. While he is undoubtedly a man of indifference, he has one principle he refuses to violate; he will not lie about his own feelings, even to figures of authority, even when it may mean life and death

Meursault is convicted as much for not weeping at his mothers funeral as for murder.

the important part of the book is when meursault is alone in his cell awaiting certain death by beheading. it is at this point that he realises "for the first time in my life i am truly happy". this is because meursault has finally become lucid.

It is lucidity and revolt that are the only aims of the absurd man, while Camus certainly advocates gaining joy from life, he specifically rails against hope. In the Myth of Sisyphus he explains that the only way to live in a fully aware and lucid state is to abandon hope altogether. This is a POSITIVE approach to life, hopelessness really takes on new meaning in the absurd.

Anyone whos into Camus should read the Fall, atruly disturbing book written in the second person narrative. also check out his writings on Kafka.

" a single sentence will suffice for modern man; he fornicated and read the papers."

[Menshevik]

But in the Stranger, there is no uplifting message, no hidden meaning. Camus' basic philosophy, which is best exemplified in the Plague, is: "Life is pointless, but this doesn't mean you should give up; continue to fight the good fight." The Stranger does not give us this message, therefore it is separate from his other works, but not his general feelings on "absurdity."