Investigating Camus and Kiekegaard’s Views on the Meaning of Life
Introduction
Various prominent philosophers have explored the fundamental question concerning the “meaning of life” throughout history. In this essay, I aim to contrast Albert Camus’ absurd philosophy with Søren Kierkegaard’s existential theism, investigating the diverse perspectives on life’s meaning.
Subjective nature of the meaning of life and value of authenticity
While Camus and Kierkegaard approached the question of life's meaning from distinct traditions and historical contexts, they both emphasised life’s subjective nature in the pursuit of meaning as a personal and individual endeavour. However, where Camus focused on meaning being dependent upon individual choices; Kierkegaard's Christian existentialism highlighted the importance of subjective religious experiences in finding life’s meaning.
Both philosophers also valued authenticity amidst life’s challenges. Whereas Camus viewed it as confronting the absurd and living passionately in a seemingly meaningless world; Kierkegaard proposed embracing individuality and fostering a genuine relationship with God.
Existential Despair and Religious Faith
In “The Myth of Sisyphus”, Camus argues that existence is inherently nonsensical, as presented in his analogy of Sisyphus futilely pushing a boulder uphill, only to witness it roll back down again in a perpetual cycle reflecting life’s ceaseless struggles. This absurd predicament embodies the paradox between our impulse to ask ultimate questions and the impossibility of achieving adequate answers. Camus believed that embracing this absurdity and living an authentic life in the face of a seemingly indifferent universe was a solution to creating personal meaning in life, “The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man’s heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy” (MS, 123).
Contrastingly, Kierkegaard believed that religious faith offers a source of meaning to transcend existential despair. In his journal, he wrote, “The crucial thing is to find a truth which is truth for me, to find the idea which I am willing to live and die,” and finding this subjective truth was what he thought could help an individual overcome existential despair and live a more fulfilled life. Moreover, he examines the story of Abraham and Isaac in his work “Fear and Trembling” to illustrate his concept of the “leap of faith” as a pathway to find meaning beyond the limitations of reason. Faith, instead of being perceived as a blind adherence, was to be treated as a pathway to life’s meaning through a personal relationship with God that involved subjective religious experience.
Conclusion
Overall, the juxtaposition of Camus' absurdity and Kierkegaard's theism yields not only contrasts but unexpected harmonies. Their mutual emphasis on the subjective nature of meaning-seeking, the value of authenticity, and strategies for transcending existential despair demonstrate a convergence of insights.
While their conclusions may diverge —Camus rejecting faith as a form of “philosophical suicide” and Kierkegaard turning to faith in God as a path of redemption from meaningless — both philosophers ultimately invite individuals to choose between creating meaning for themselves within the absurdity of existence or finding solace in the realm of the divine in the broader spectrum of human experiences.
References:
The Bible. Genesis 22:1-18.
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