Brief intro: The Myth of Sisyphus (Camus)
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- Опубликовано: 9 авг 2021
- #booktube #absurd
The Myth of Sisyphus was published in 1942, and outlines what would become one of Albert Camus’ most recognized philosophical ideas-absurdism. One of the most influential works of its time, the essay provides a look into how one can live a life away from despair while accepting the meaningless existence. Reaffirming the value of personal existence, Camus offers a blueprint on how to live a more authentic life.
“Albert Camus: Lyrical and Critical Essays”
www.thriftbooks.com/w/lyrical...
“Dark Feelings, Grim Thoughts: Experience and Reflection in Camus and Sartre.”
oxford.universitypressscholar...
“The Myth of Sisyphus: A Reconsideration.”
www.pdcnet.org/philcontext/co...
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Who needs a uni degree when I can just watch your videos 💚
Ben your comments on these videos are always top notch 😂
Who needs a degree these days for anything, anyhow? Hahaha 😅
Right! He always gets the most likes on my videos 😂
Ben is right... I wish my university profs had explained things as logically and articulately as Pae! Thanks again for another incredible video!
My intellectual contribution: "The Myth of Sisyphus" is such a tongue twister, I don't know how you were able to say it clearly so many times in this video haha
Equating acceptance of religion to a philosophical suicide couldn't have made Camus many friends! Looking forward to learning more about "The Stranger" next week 🐛
I think I have just said it so many times, I didn't realize it was a tongue twister until now 😅
And though he did have many friends that shared the same view, such as Sartre, they did part ways before his death hahha😅
Embrace the absurd. That's my Motto.
He took that from Me.😁🤣 . I believe He owes Me some kickback.
Very Interesting Topic.
Excited 2 Hear more.
As Always. Great Video 👍😁👍
Thank you so much! I think, deep down, we have all been saying this. 😅😂
@@attention5638 👍😁👍
Brilliant as always! If you were Sisyphus, would you be forced to push a giant rubber duck uphill for all eternity?
That is what I am doing now. ☠
😂
The Myth of Sisyphus is great and this lens was used on my life throughout my 20s. Thank you for covering him! So the artwork you have sitting in the left hand corner is awesome!!!! Excellent video, Pae.
Thank you so much! That art work in the left corner was given to me by a professor friend right before I started this channel. 😊😎
I did enjoy that brief intro into Camus. I love the story The Stranger.
Thank you very much! And yes! The Stranger is a classic, for sure. 😎
…..
I would *never* be able to say that title out loud and it just rolls right off for you Pae…
The alluding part BLEW MY MIND…I never once considered it that way
Hahah, I think I have said it so many times, that I didn't even realize that it is actually kind of complicated to say 😅
i've had the stranger on my tbr for years, now this is good to make me push it up my priorities... great vid as usual :-)
That is great! I would love to hear your opinions on it! It is a quick read, for sure. 😊
Imagine the poor student picking up Camus’ Outsiders instead of Hinton’s for their grade school assignment 😂😂
I’ve always enjoyed the concept of an absurdist being misunderstood. We clearly need to reorganize our understanding of them! Slogan: “hold my rock!”
Joking aside, love the video. It’s been a long time since I’ve read Camus. The Stranger was my first read of his. Look forward to it!
Hahahah. The Outsiders by Hinton is a slightly different novel 😅 and thank you so much. I am glad you liked this!
I read some Camus at uni, but I’ve forgotten so much about it, so this was delightful!
And so excited that this will be a series!
Thank you! Always glad to hear that people have studied this in uni before!😊
@@attention5638 It was only very briefly, unfortunately, and so I can’t remember too much, but it was interesting! I know a lot of other people on my course did tons more on him.
I've heard so much about The Stranger have never read anything by Camus. This was a great introduction, and I can see why so many find his philosophy powerful or upsetting or both. Excellent video! 😊
Hahaha, I would definitely be in the category of finding it both upsetting and powerful haha😅
This was absolutely wonderful! Although I have not read any of these works, I really appreciate your discussion on the absurd and particularly how it relates to hope. I am familiar with some of his more famous quotes and find them quite meaningful. I have myself thought that life is absurd and that it is easier/better to accept that rather than constantly wishing that reality was something else. So that was especially interesting to learn about. I am definitely looking forward to hearing about The Stranger next week. Excellent video as always, Professor Pae! Chat soon! 😊
Thank you so much, Jane!😊 I am glad to hear that this resonated with you! I think you would like some of his work, but I do find that he is a hit or miss with most everyone 😊😊
"Embrace the Absurd" I can dig that. Have never studied Camus, but read him for French Lit--this was invigorating and illuminating, thanks, Pae!
For sure! Thank you for checking it out, and glad you liked it 😊😊
Still loving this channel. It's definitely one of my faves. ❤
Oh! Thank you so much, Jen! Always good to see you here! 😊😊
This was wonderful. I ADORE Camus, and I had no idea there was any kind booktube backlash of him or his writing. Thanks for presenting his work and clarifying that his work was not pessimistic, but rather joyful. Both the Plague and The Stranger are amazing books. He considered himself an artist and not a philosopher, but The Myth of Sisyphus is also wonderful and well worth reading. Your summary captured the spirit of it perfectly.
Thank you so much! It is always so nice to hear that from someone who has also read is work with a lot of passion. Very glad you liked this!😊 also, I miss the sonnet analysis! Look forward for when those come back!😊😎
You've accidentally (on purpose?) made me really agree with some of Camus' views. I've always sort of reveled in the idea that life doesn't really have a purpose/meaning and that means I can just live a life that makes me happy.
Definitely! And that was a huge focus of his--to live a fuller life after the acceptance of there being no ultimate meaning. Thanks for checking this out! 😊
I probably sound dumb, but I had no idea that the concept of the absurd is a type of philosophical idea. I confess, I have never read Camus, but he certainly sounds fascinating. I think all philosophers, not matter how brilliant, are not perfect. And yet just because a philosopher is not perfect does not mean their philosophy does not have value.
Absolutely! I actually have many issues with Camus, but do think there is a lot of value in what he presents. Thank you so much!😊
Excellent as usual. I’ve read Camus without ever understanding his philosophy
And that is the good thing about his fiction, is it can still be if value without having to have read his essays.😊
Omg i love this. Philosophical suicide... the act of eluding. I have never read this author nor am I familiar with his work, but that concept is something I've thought about quite often. Phenomenal video P.
I can definitely see you liking a lot of these kind of texts, and would naturally gravitate toward them. It is actually what made me appreciate science fiction. So many authors in the sci fi genre capitalize on many of these philosophical concepts. 😊😎
I think many folks view this scenario but in juxtaposition, whereas that which they struggle to hold up is their chariot. They ride on top with the hope that others will be the support of the rock beneath until (if/when) it crumbles.
That is a really great observation, and completely agree. This does seem accurate, and on top of that (no pun intended) brings the aspect of hope back into the equation--in one degree or another. Thank you for the great comment!
I've not read this in my literary travels but I enjoyed this brief dive into it. Fantastic as always.
Thank you so much! It is a quick read, and very much worth it.😊😊
Thanks to booktube, The Stranger is on my TBR. This introduction is certainly interesting and some day I would like to read the essay.
I really like these kind of books, bit I will admit, they are not for everyone. But I do hope you like the Stranger when you get around to it. 😊😊
I have not read anything by Camus, but this video has definitely put him on my radar.
It is a much easier essay to digest, too! I think you would really like it 😊
I must confess that when I read Camus my dislike for him was at a very superficial level and I never understood the underlying meaning of his novels; but this was really fascinating, and I look forward to your thoughts on The Stranger.
Hahaha, I was actually thinking of your channel when I said that at the beginning. The thing is, you are absolutely right, he was not someone I personally would have gotten along with. And it does show through in his writing. I think it is completely justified to not like an author for those reasons. And it is always good to keep in mind who the person was when reading their philosophy. 😊😊
People don't like Camus on here?? I really enjoyed reading him in high school, and am interested in reading him some more in the future. This was a wonderfully thorough examination of these essays.
Thank you so much! Before the video, I had only known of two.people on BookTube that spoke positively about him, one being you. Hahah.
The idea of philosophical suicide is one I haven't heard before and found very interesting. I find the overall concept depressing, but I can see the connection to feelings of freedom or liberation. One of those things that requires a very different mindset I suppose. Also, I missed your passing of the 1000 subscriber milestone, so my belated congratulations! Well deserved :)
Thank you so much, Emilee!😊 hopefully, I can keep it up😎 and yes, the notion of a philosophical suicide is an interesting one. Though I do have my issues with it, that would take some time to explain haha. Maybe one day in another video 😊😊
Loved this intro to Camus and absurdism
Thank you so much for checking it out!😊
I read The Myth of Sisyphus last year - your video provided a great overview.
That is really great! I am glad to hear people are still reading these things.😊
I read somewhere Paulo Coelho has long admired Camus (for his clarity in prose). .. still haven't read 'The Plague,' embarrassed to say, esp. given our times. .. got close to buying the paperback before the current lockdown conditions in my area, but .. anyway: maybe next time. Great video, Pae! + stay safe everyone :-)
Hey Mike! Though I did like the Plague, it is definitely not where I would suggest one to start, unless one is familiar with his ideas expressed in his essays. But it is for sure worth a read. Thanks for checking this out, always good to see ya, and hope you are doing well!😊😎
I got flack for my tattoo from someone who said I didn't understand it. (the depth of winter quote...) and I feel like even if Camus didn't mean it as I took it the fact that it helped me in such an "absurd" time in my life is good enough!
Camus would be glad it meant something to you. If it is what he intended or not, he wouldn't have criticized at all. 😊 That is a really great quote.😊
This has been a very good induction to Camus' work I'm my opinion. I have no idea how you manage to say all this sentences without reading from a script. You would be a great philosophy professor.
I am going to read The Fall by Camus in September. Haven't read that one ever before.
Thank you so much!😊😊 And yes! The Fall may be my favorite work of fiction that he wrote. It is very different than his other novels. 😊😎
These videos are right up my alley. Please more of these ☺️ Life is definitely like a Boulder. Once one obstacle is overcome, it seems like there’s always another. However, I’m wondering if Camus touches on this. Am I allowed to get help pushing the Boulder? Can I phone in a friend and be like, “Hey there, this absurd boulder is in my way. Can you help me push it out of the way?” 😅😊
Andrew Cuomo resigned... I want to talk to Lisa about it so bad but I'm tired of the corner...somebody please help me...😭😭😭
@@stevencorey1278 maybe you got the names Camus and Cuomo mixed up 🤔 I think you can control your need to talk about current events for a bit… 😂🙄
@@GreenerSideOfSam ha...ha...ha.😀
@Year of the Author looks like it...😭😭😭😭
Hahaha, oh jeez. I just heard about what happened this morning. I am not as up with the current political events as Steven. Hahah
"Embrace the Absurd" I need that on a coffee mug 😅 I've only read The Stranger years ago, and I need to reread it! Great video!
Oh, I am totally making those coffee mugs!😅
@@attention5638 😂 yes!
The only thing I knew about Camus was his name and that he believed life is absurd. I don't agree. But he had a point.
I don't nessesaraly agree his absurdism, either. Though there are many aspects that can be applied in many ways that can shed light one one's situation. 😊😊
Great conversation! I don't think I've ever even heard of this author😅 I may have said this before... but I love that I learn something new every time I watch one of your videos!
Thank you so much, I am glad that you get something from these videos 😊😊
Great video! I've been getting more and more into Camus recently, I'm hoping that my French will be good enough for me to read it in the original language soon :)
That would be really cool! I have thought about learning German to read certain texts in its original language.
@@attention5638 I'm learning German too, but I'm not as good at it :D
I am reading the rebel this month 🤔 💗 look forward to the conversation about the stranger!
Oh! I look forward to hear what you think about The Rebel!😊
I think you do a great job with these talks :D and the intros are great way to introduce i really enjoy them ^^
Thank you, Hugo! Hope your week is going well!😊
I’ve never read any Camus, but this was fascinating as always. Having already had an anxiety-ridden, existential midlife crisis, accepting the randomness of the universe instead of trying to find meaning was exactly how I coped - the only truth is the moment we are living in! I’m thankful I didn’t find religion!😂
Yes! Camus would definitely agree with living in the moment, which will be discussed a lot more when going over The Stranger. 😊😎
Very interesting. I learn so much from you but it doesn’t feel like learning. You have a great skill there ! Thanks for making me stretch my brain.
Thank you so much for checking it out!😊 Always good to hear 😊
I love that this video topic will be expanded upon in another video! I am a sucker for series. You are quite articulate and knowledgeable and I love how you offer insight and deeper meaning to each topic you cover. Thank you for such amazing content. As always you put much thought, energy, time, and effort into your content. I so appreciate you and am learning so much as a subscriber to your channel!
Oh! Thank you so much for all the kind words! I am so glad to hear that you get something from these. They do take a while to put together, but very much worth it.😊
Once again, you are back with one more awesome video...!❤️ I always love your videos...!❤️
Thank you so much! Glad you like them😊😊
i just want to say that this video was my company during dinner and it was a good one! (sorry, i'm slowly catching up on videos sjfhkjdsf) it's like listening to an incredible (and educational) podcast . camus sounds like he was fun at parties, my kind of guy.
i've been wanting to read this essay for years, but i'm not entirely sure my intellect is up to that level yet. maybe when i'm feeling brave enough! 😂
Hey Cherry, I just came from your channel haha!😊 and thank you so much! I think you would actually really like Camus. And this particular essay is actually really easy to get through. It is one of the more simpler philosophical texts that I have studied, and always recommend it to those getting into existentialism for the first time (pluse, of course, reliable secondary sources). but his fiction is where he really shines, and has some beautiful prose.😊😊
I've never read Camus, but really enjoyed your introduction!
Oh! If you are a fan of Kafka, I think you would appreciate Camus! He was hugely influenced by Kafka, and has a great essay at the end of this book on him!😊😎
Very interesting great discussion as always!!
Thank you for checking it out!😊
What a fascinating video that raises some interesting questions. Watching your videos always takes me back to my late teens being at sixth form and studying philosophy. I know that at the time I really dug what Sartre was saying but it's been so long that for the life of m I can't remember any of it now. Hmm Absurdism sounds like it has things spot on really. when we try to imagine alternate universes they are usually merely variations upon what we know from our universe, simple things like "oh what about if in that universe a sun orbits a planet instead of the other way around" or something like that. It's literally impossible for us to imagine a universe who's laws don't in some way relate to the laws of our own. I actually think the absurdity of our universe is what makes it beautiful. Everything that happens is literally one giant coincidence and that is what makes everything so wonderful. Having said that I could be completel misunderstanding you and just talking utter bollocks.
No, you are not misunderstanding at all! That is a huge part of what Camus is saying here, and to accept this absurd life is where one begins to truly live. Also, good to hear that you have studied Sartre. 😎😊
Excellent video! I've not read Camus, that I know of, but this essay sounds extremely interesting. 💙
Thank you so much for checking this out! It is truly a fascinating essay that will get the gears going!😊😊
Awesome vid. I always enjoy stories of the absurd. I haven't read Camus but what you're speaking about reminds me of McCarthy's Suttree.
So much so in fact that I am starting to think McCarthy may have just written the American Yokel version of Camus's work.
Oh! I have actually never read McCarthy, but have been wanting to read "The Road" for a while. I have never heard of Suttree before, but will check it out. I may have to move his work up the list. 😊😎
@@attention5638 When/if you decide to, I'd start with Blood Meridian.
@@jasontweten5357 oh, awesome! I will keep that in mind, for sure, thanks!😊
If modernism was about using experimental forms to find meaning and postmodernism (which I always consider to be spurred by WWI) as a rejection of meaning, do you think we're going to get some new literary and philosophical movements based on our changing relationship with technology, climate change, or even COVID? Or is one already brewing? Or will we simply rehash old movements?
Really, Camus here is restating Kirkegaard and Nietzsche. We definitely adjust our ideas and beliefs to the times, and I have read a few that has come out recently that addresses these recent events. But they will always be borrowed ideas. 😊😊
This is good philosophy...man you are brilliant in your explanations I really love this... I can watch it ten times...dope bro man😃😃
Thank you so much, my friend! Camus can be a lot of fun to read. I look forward to getting more into his fiction😊😎
Currently reading the Myth of Sisyphus, this video is useful. I had it on my TBR before I knew you had a book out about rolling stones....
I've read a lot of books by Camus, but (again) I can't really remember much about them. I think I may have been too young at the time. I find meaning in everything. I think everything means something. I don't believe in luck or coincidence. What philosophy is that? I also don't agree that religion means you give up responsibility. In fact, it's exactly the opposite because of free will.
Free will is a highly contested topic! If one believes in predetermination, free will is simply an illusion. Although I like to think we make our own choices from conscious control 🤓
@@RachaelsReadingNook I'm no philosopher (ask anyone). I don't believe in predetermination either.
@@AJDunnReadsandWrites Finding meaning in everything sounds like a good philosophy to me!
I am not going to touch the notion of free will, and you will be very glad I dont.😂 the meaning that Camus is referring to is more a transcendent meaning. One can give themselves and other things a temporary meaning, but in the end, it will go back to how it was before you existed. Everything therefore is ultimately meaningless. (Not saying I nessesaraly believe this in all cases). Life would, for Camus, have to be meaningless, but that does not mean one cannot find meaning or value along the way.
I haven't read any Camus but this was a really interesting video.
Thank you so much! He is definitely not for everyone, and he has his downfalls as many have rightly pointed out, but there is still a lot of value in his work. 😊😊
So Lovecraft argued that upon the vast infinity of the universe man's logical development was madness. Camus' is the opposite as acceptance leads to merriment in a carpe diem stoic sort of way. Go on, Lovecraft, Camus and Marcus Aurelius in one video. Do it!
Hahah, that would take some time to put together. But worth it. Also, I have been having trouble with my email recently. Have you gotten my last email, or any email from me? I did get yours.
@@attention5638 last one I got was from Saturday saying you had seen it, that’s it
Not sure I agree with dear Camus. Though I like him still. Yet before this video I had never heard of him.
It all reminds me of the Comedian from the film/graphic novel Watchmen who thought of everything as a joke.
This video has made me rethink some things that I haven’t put thought into for some time. Thank you sir! Top quality video.
For sure, my friend! I can't say that I agree with everything he has to say either, but he definitely gets one thinking about some important things. I think you would really like some of his fiction novels. 😊
@@attention5638 that’s my worry… also his name is fun to say. 🤘
Great video. Philosophical suicide! Very interesting. I would be curious to know your opinion on Camus (if you want to share a high level / tweet-format thought….!)
Oh! I am glad you ask, as I did mean to say at the beginning of this video, these are not my personal thoughts or opinions. Particularly, because of this one view, which I have a few thoughts on. If you are interested, I can for sure send you a message!
@@attention5638 Yes please email me if you can / want. My comic book is almost done so I’ll send you that in a few weeks.
I dig Camus quite a bit - the slightly uncomfortable notions that are seemingly liberating as disturbing (from a modern mindset, perhaps). I very much enjoyed this surmisal & look forward to more!
An aside: did you ever hear the song "Sisyphus" by Andrew Bird?
Oh, Hey Jeff! Always good to see you here! And someone else just mentioned that song to me, and I looked it up. I have never heard of this artist before recently, and I love this song. Have played it a few times now! 😎😊
Great video! I haven’t read Camus yet. It’s a bit off subject but I was wondering if you had heard Andrew Bird’s Sisyphus?
I have not! But just looked it up, and loving this song! I have never heard of this artist before either, but I will definitely be listening to more! Thank you so much!😊😊
How do you think the interactions between Camus and Alan Watt would run?
Oh, not well haha. I don't know, Aan Watts was great Westernizing Eastern traditions/religions, which I don't believe Camus would get along with haha
hope you are having a wonderful weekend.
Thank you so much for stopping by, and you as well! =)
I understand more and more why you love SH5 😂
Haha this is true. 😅
I had to read some Camus in my literature classes. Did he ever comment on the one true discipline of mathematics?
There was a French mathematician named Camus, but that was a different one. As far as Albert Camus goes, from all I have read, I can't recall him ever discussing mathematical disciplines haha
@@attention5638 I didn't think so. In a strange way mathematics offers a strong argument against absurdity...perhaps more so than religion.
I'm all about embracing the absurd, this wasn't a conscious choice though, I just have no purpose haha
There is too much to say on that. Haha. Camus would say, purpose is a choice you give yourself.
@@attention5638 I'm going to try to live by that
You get an upward oriented thumb just for reading this.
Thank you! It is a great read, and one that is not too overwhelming, as many of these kind of essays can be, at times. 😊
@@attention5638 agree, it's very readable for a philosophical treatise.
mythyphus
Hahaha That would have been a much better title for the essay 😅
But Sisyphus had an alternative...out of his control--the gods' whim in changing his punishment. Or maybe I'm not on the right intellectual plane here... 🙃🤪
Hahah I actually did not know that. I will have to read up on the actual myth itself 😅
mble6
vyn.fyi
Bad interpretation of Camus!!
I may agree-I am not sure it is possible to interpret Camus in eight minutes. Nor would I try. These are simply a few ideas presented in his work of fiction and should by no means be taken as a replacement of actually reading his work. Though these few ideas are presented in his fiction, many are explained in his essay. Having said that, none of this is my interpretation either, nor do I ever claim it is. As for the interpretation of these few ideas go, one being “the absurd as the futility of a search for meaning in an incomprehensible universe, devoid of God, or meaning,” that being a direct quote, he explains further in essays and interviews from 1953-1959, which is, in part, reworded here (along with straight quotes from the primary source). Now, I have never heard anyone have a different interpretation on his use of Sisyphus as the metaphor explained; one must accept the absurd as to rebel against the human condition, becoming the ‘absurd hero,’ to overcome it with its acknowledgement, (this is also taken straight from Camus, not only the last section of Sisyphus, but also his essay, The Rebel, where he explains this much further). His explanation on a philosophical suicide is also very clear, as he quotes Loyola as to understand it as “a sacrifice of the intellect,” (pg. 37, First Vintage International, being one of many times he refers to it as such, under the subtitle “philosophical suicide”). In fact, both the sections dealing with physical and philosophical suicide in this video, I am literally just reading Camus (whenever I say, “according to Camus” I then continue to read straight from Sisyphus, I do not mean “according to Camus, the way I read it.” It is as literal as can be). I actually don’t interpret anything here, as that was not my intention-I thought it was very clear how he worded it, and didn’t need to add anything more, and so left it with what he himself writes. Now, you can definitely say, Camus has more to say about this, as he most certainly does, but as I say at the beginning and end, this is only to further understand his character, Meursault, which I have yet to cover-and when I do, I will only use secondary sources-again, none of this is my personal interpretation on these few concepts found (primarily) in Sisyphus-an essay that, in its entirety, should never be attempted to be explained in eight minutes. Now, if you are talking about the few sentences such as the difference between Sartre’s notion of the absurd vs. Camus, I could have gone into that a bit more, but the difference I mention is still accurate, Sartre mentions this difference after Camus gives an interview ( Nov. 15, 1945, with Jeanine Delpech in “Les Nouvelles Littéraires”) which is published under the title, “No, I am not an Existentialist.” One thing I do wish I continued further with, is the second and third sentence of section three-which I will admit, much more could have been said. But as far as the overall point, I am only rewording Camus (in fact, while looking over the first chapter, we sum up the point with nearly an identical line, Pg. 6, line 11, if you have the same, most commonly sold edition, translated by Justin O'Brien. But yes, there is a lot more I could, and maybe should, have said there). I apologize if I have missed a point I may have made, and if I have, I would be happy to give you the page number on where it came from, either from Sisyphus or an essay by Camus later explaining these selected ideas. I would also be more than happy to provide more second-hand sources that go through each of these few ideas, expounding on it much more than I did here. Also, I apologize if at any point I came off as negative in any way in this response--if so, that was not my intention.