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Introduction
Many philosophers and analysts have presented powerful theories that can guide more people pursue their goals in life. Albert Camus is one of such thinkers whose concepts continue to influence the decisions and actions made people take in their lives. The philosopher’s ethical model revolves around the concept of absurdity while integrating the idea of good. The replication of these ideas in a person’s life can help push the notion of ethics vs. individual to the next level. This paper relies on the attributes Camus presents to form a position for pursuing an ethical life.
Selected Ethical Theory
Albert Camus is one of the greatest journalists and philosophers of the 20th century whose works remain inspirational and meaningful. In the work “The Myth of Sisyphus”, the reader is introduced to the life of a Greek man whose punishment is absurd in nature. Sisyphus is compelled to roll a big stone uphill and roll it back for eternity. At the time he has achieved his goal of climbing the mountain. A sense of entitlement and achievement emerges that is equitable to human happiness (Camus 2). However, challenges start all over again as he tried to begin the same journey of rolling the stone up the mountain. The emerging evidence is that humans live in a trivial and absurd condition that does not change (Taşdan 174). The ultimate aim, therefore, should be for people to focus on the best ways to have a happy death while overcoming the challenges and predicaments they experience in their lives.
While the specific ethical theory the scholars intends does not come out clearly, it is evident that Camus is keen to promote a unique way of thinking that concerns life. The concepts of human understanding and common sense form the basis for pursuing life objectives and overcoming challenges. The question of suicide emerges to guide people to learn the meaning of life and whether it is worth living (Camus 2). The reader is at pains to examine the emerging ethical theory from Camus and consider how he or she can apply it to achieve meaningful happiness in life.
Personal Analysis
After going through the studied work, it becomes clear that Albert Camus presents a theory of absurdity that explains why those who succeed at some points in their lives only experience additional challenges. The cycle emerging from the selected essay tries to expose some of the predicaments those pursuing freedom tend to experience. From this knowledge, it becomes quite clear that Camus’ arguments do not form a solid ethical theory that can guide people to pursue their goals in life (Taşdan 174). However, some elements are acknowledgeable and acceptable since they describe some of the unique attributes defining human life (Camus 2). For instance, the philosophical notion of absurdity describes how and why human happiness tends to be short-lived. The emerging insights go further to explain how and why some individuals eventually contemplate suicide when they realize that life might never be worth living.
Focusing on the themes of the individual and ethics, it becomes harder to find a unique philosophy or model for guiding people to behave in a particular manner. This reality is evident since Camus tends to focus on a generalized form of absurdity whereby people find it hard to strike a balance between triumph and anguish (Taşdan 175). The case of Sisyphus only explains how those who succeed in realizing some happiness only encounter additional absurdities. The circle appears to continue for them, thereby being unable to achieve meaningful happiness or success in their lives. However, most of the subsequent works by Camus go further to offer additional insights that can be applied to influence people’s ethical foundations and philosophies.
Despite being a blasphemous doubter, Camus was able to consider the teachings of various religions to describe how and why it would have been right for men to love their fellow men. Specifically, he focused on inherent dignity that would help more people pursue their goals and happiness. Such a practice would have been possible without necessarily having individuals form a strong belief in Christianity or God (Camus 2). When such a concept is replicated in any individual’s life, it would definitely be possible for the person to have a unique model for pursuing their individualistic goals.
Applicability in the World
From the above analysis, it is agreeable that Albert Camus presents a unique model that can guide human beings to pursue freedom. For this scholar and philosopher, human beings tend to encounter unique challenges that could be compared with Sisyphus’ woes. The most important thing is for all individuals to accept the fact that life itself is an absurdity. This kind of knowledge will make it easier for more individuals to appreciate the fact that challenges will always emerge in life (Camus 2). The ultimate solution, therefore, would be for them to engage in decisions and strategies that can help alleviate the possible impacts of this absurdity. By confronting such consequences, individuals can find a way to overcome and become successful in life.
Additionally, the philosopher goes further to support an ethical model whereby members of the community are keen to respect each other and focus on the best ways to establish better societies. Ethics of human love becomes meaningful whereby individuals can respect, empower, and guide each other (Camus 2). Such practices will make it possible for people to overcome the absurdity of life much faster and achieve their goals. Without this kind of moral principle or love, individuals will become anarchists and engage in actions that worsen the situation for their fellow men. These attributes explain why Camus’ theory can form the basis for promoting individualistic goals.
In contemporary society, it is agreeable that Camus’ theory can render some insights and concepts for helping human beings learn more about ethics and the individual. The specific dimension the work takes or promotes is that of the individual. The ultimate aim of life, as the philosopher provides, is to attain some form of freedom. This realization could be relatable to the issue of happiness. Using the case of Sisyphus, it is agreeable that those who experience challenges will eventually find some form of freedom (Taşdan 178). Combining these attributes with the ethics of morality, individuals can be keen to engage in actions and decisions that can make them successful or minimize the levels of predicaments.
From an individual perspective, the insights this philosopher presents could be used to guide people to focus on the concept of love. Borrowing from religious concepts, Camus believes that people can love, help, and empower each other. Those who embrace the idea will overcome most of the challenges they encounter in their lives (Camus 3). The individual will find it easier to formulate a personal code of ethics that is prepared for the possible challenges in life. The next attribute is to engage in actions and moral decisions that could result in the alleviation of suffering (Taşdan 179). Those who benefit from this knowledge will become ethical, avoid some of the troubles, and eventually pursue their goals diligently.
To succeed in the world, an individual will need to consider the teachings and notions Albert Camus presents. He or she will begin by accepting the nature and unavoidability of problems. This will be followed by evidence-based actions and resolutions that are in accordance with the ethical concept of goodness. Additionally, individuals will have to combine some of the moral foundations and teachings other philosophers present (Camus 4). This practice will make it easier for them to appreciate the nature of the universe and engage in actions that maximize their freedom from suffering. Those who fail to apply such ideas will be confronted with more challenges and eventually contemplate suicide.
Conclusion
The above discussion has identified Camus as one of the philosophers whose works remain relevant and influential today. Despite some of the inconsistencies and gaps emerging from the concept of absurdity as described in the studied essay, the analysis has revealed that Camus’ theory is applicable in an individual’s life. The ultimate aim is, therefore, for individuals to focus on the presented insights to address the challenges they encounter in life if they are to attain both happiness and personal freedom.
References
Camus, Albert. “The Myth of Sysiphus.”Hawaii. n.d. Web.
Taşdan, Tuğçe E. “Intertextuality in Albert Camus’s Philosophy: “Let Us Imagine Sisyphus Happy””. Journal of Language and Linguistic Studies, vol. 14, no. 2, 2018, pp. 173-182.
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