Book 34 - Albert Camus "The Myth of Sisyphus"
Albert Camus "The Myth of Sisyphus" (Penguin Modern Classics)
This certainly isn't dry philosophy, and it deals with big questions. The main theme is the absurdity of the human condition, God, (or the absence of God), and the meaning (or lack of meaning) of life. Camus discusses whether we ought to commit suicide, in light of our absurdity, or whether it is better to carry on living, and he reaches the conclusion that we needn't kill ourselves. Which is reassuring.
I wouldn't really describe this as a work of metaphysics, despite the main theme being existence, for the reason that all the arguments are supported with judgements of value, rather than with rigorous logic. He says we ought to live so that we can make the most of the freedom which we would not have if we were dead, the sensations that are only available to the living, and the irony of knowingly living an absurd life. He uses the illustrations of Don Juan, and the actor, and talks about the characters of Dostoievsky and Kafka.
But why classify a work, as it is more than aesthetics, philosophy and metaphysics, it is art also. Not just the revelationary type of art, but also the type that tells us something about the artist.
Apart from the main essay, the shorter ones at the end are about places he has been to, including Algiers and Oman, and they are very atmospheric. They fluctuate between melancholy and joy, and make me want to visit the places, though I wouldn't want to live in them.
I don't necessarily agree with all of his views, but I think the main ones are sound enough. His philosophy seems to be self-consistent, which is important
The importance of Camus's essays on the absurd should not be underestimated in gaining further insight into his novels and plays. They are interesting and thought-provoking and with the addition of the five other essays, this little Penguin classic is a winner.
This certainly isn't dry philosophy, and it deals with big questions. The main theme is the absurdity of the human condition, God, (or the absence of God), and the meaning (or lack of meaning) of life. Camus discusses whether we ought to commit suicide, in light of our absurdity, or whether it is better to carry on living, and he reaches the conclusion that we needn't kill ourselves. Which is reassuring.
I wouldn't really describe this as a work of metaphysics, despite the main theme being existence, for the reason that all the arguments are supported with judgements of value, rather than with rigorous logic. He says we ought to live so that we can make the most of the freedom which we would not have if we were dead, the sensations that are only available to the living, and the irony of knowingly living an absurd life. He uses the illustrations of Don Juan, and the actor, and talks about the characters of Dostoievsky and Kafka.
But why classify a work, as it is more than aesthetics, philosophy and metaphysics, it is art also. Not just the revelationary type of art, but also the type that tells us something about the artist.
Apart from the main essay, the shorter ones at the end are about places he has been to, including Algiers and Oman, and they are very atmospheric. They fluctuate between melancholy and joy, and make me want to visit the places, though I wouldn't want to live in them.
I don't necessarily agree with all of his views, but I think the main ones are sound enough. His philosophy seems to be self-consistent, which is important
The importance of Camus's essays on the absurd should not be underestimated in gaining further insight into his novels and plays. They are interesting and thought-provoking and with the addition of the five other essays, this little Penguin classic is a winner.