Camus and Walker Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Camus and Walker - Essay Example Philosophers have exhibited efforts towards defining the critical subject of finding meaning in life. Whereas some philosophers highlight that life presents absurdity and meaninglessness, others have been highlighting aspects that present meaning to life. Camus presented his description of the absurdity in life and how this cause suicide. On the hand, Walker sought to describe how religion was critical in presenting life with meaning. This paper will summarize the views of these philosophers and reflect on them. Summary of Camus Article on Absurdity. Albert Camus was a philosopher who sought to explain the absurdity that is evident in life. According to him, life is an irrational experience that presents no meaning at all. After highlighting his conviction on the absurdity of life, he embarked on addressing the most critical question ‘why not commit suicide?’ He then embarked on presenting the issue of absurdity and suicide. According to him, answering this question required an individual to choose distinctly whether it was a worthy venture to stay alive (Pojman, and Lewis 547). He also highlighted that the majority of the approaches to the suicide issue have considered it a social phenomena. In his view, the decision to commit suicide emanated from the heart, although the person remained unaware of the surging problem. In such ignorance of the issue, the undermining effect that surrounded thinking about a certain issue overwhelms the undermined person culminating in suicide. According to him, suicide translated to a confession by a person that there was no valid reason for facing life. People who committed suicide often indulged in undermining thought that gave them the conviction that life lacked meaning. In elaboration, choosing a voluntary death meant that the person had deciphered the ridicule inherent in the habit used to validate the existence (Pojman, and Lewis 548). Usually, a person resulted to committing suicide if there was evidence of the uselessness accompanied by suffering. In such a state, the person only experiences agitation resulting from the habits defining existence, and such agitation often becomes overwhelming. The absurdity of life is the sole cause of suicide according to Camus. Sometimes, a person seeking adjectives of describing the world only find negative ones, and this has become a familiar occurrence. Such a world presents deprivation of illusions and lights that serve to make people have a sense of belonging. The deprivation results in alienation of human from th e world they live in. Apparently, as Camus explained, the alienation then triggers a separation of a person from life causing absurdity. This pattern is evident in people who contemplate suicide. Camus sought to elaborate the exact point where by absurdity caused suicide. For many people, collapsing of the stage that they base their lives on brings about weariness. This kind of weariness has the potential of triggering consciousness that causes the person to question why things happen. Such consciousness serves to highlight a high level of indifference in the future persuading the person to concentrate on the quantity of life rather than quality. He defined meaning in life as having a focus on the quality of life. Moreover, Camus also developed his argument on how presented the potential of teaching people. He then highlighted that life presented the same number of experiences for people of the same age, but the individual perception of the opportunities determined whether life pres ented meaning or absurdity. For those perceiving meaning, they concentrated on quality scales, while lucidity caused these scales to fade. Camus then proceeded to present a myth that served as an analogy to the absurdity in life. He used the myth of Sisyphus to illustrate the meaningless ventures of life (Pojman, and Lewis 550). Sisyphus had received a mandate from the gods to push a certain stone up a mountain, and watch it roll down, compelling him to repeat the