Albert Camus. Three Philosophical Movements l “Take out your “Albert Camus” notes.

Albert Camus

Three Philosophical Movements ““Take out your “Albert Camus” notes.Take out your “Albert Camus” notes.

Three Philosophical Movements ““Nature”Nature” What do your friends say is your “nature?”What do your friends say is your “nature?”

– ““Mr. Kim’s has a wacky and humorous nature.”Mr. Kim’s has a wacky and humorous nature.”– ““Students say Mr. Wydra has a caring nature.”Students say Mr. Wydra has a caring nature.”– ““Students say Mr. McAdams has a sensitive nature.”Students say Mr. McAdams has a sensitive nature.”– ““Fans say Allen Iverson has an arrogant nature.”Fans say Allen Iverson has an arrogant nature.”

– You have 1 minute. What is your “nature” according to You have 1 minute. What is your “nature” according to friends. Write on the lines, beside the slide.friends. Write on the lines, beside the slide.

Three Philosophical Movements Existentialism: A belief that neither human beings Existentialism: A belief that neither human beings

nor the universe has any essentialnor the universe has any essentialnaturenature. Human beings construct their . Human beings construct their naturesnatures through their choices. We are who we are by our through their choices. We are who we are by our CHOICES.CHOICES.– What do you think? Do you believe your “nature” is a What do you think? Do you believe your “nature” is a

choice? Or do you have no control over your “nature?” choice? Or do you have no control over your “nature?” For example: I’m just angry by nature. I get pissed For example: I’m just angry by nature. I get pissed easily. Is this your nature, or do you have a choice?easily. Is this your nature, or do you have a choice?

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Three Philosophical Movements Do you believe that “things happen for a reason?”Do you believe that “things happen for a reason?” Who creates these “reasons?” You, or the Who creates these “reasons?” You, or the

universe, or God?universe, or God?

Example: A man finds a hundred dollar bill on the Example: A man finds a hundred dollar bill on the street. A bus blows a tire and swerves and kills street. A bus blows a tire and swerves and kills the man. The man’s wife is looking for “reasons” the man. The man’s wife is looking for “reasons” this happened. Who supplies the “reason?” this happened. Who supplies the “reason?” – ““This happened for a reason,” the wife said. “He’s just This happened for a reason,” the wife said. “He’s just

in a better place now.”in a better place now.”

Camus’ AbsurdismDefine “absurd.”Define “absurd.”

Provide examples of items or ideas that are absurd.Provide examples of items or ideas that are absurd.

Camus’ Absurdism ““Everything happens for a reason.”Everything happens for a reason.”

Who determines meaning for us in this statement? Us? Or Who determines meaning for us in this statement? Us? Or Nature (The Universe)? Or God? Nature (The Universe)? Or God?

Absurdism says we are childish in thinking that nature gives us Absurdism says we are childish in thinking that nature gives us answers. Nature doesn’t care. We have to create meaning, answers. Nature doesn’t care. We have to create meaning, which means choosing reasons why bad and good events which means choosing reasons why bad and good events happen. (Show penguin).happen. (Show penguin).

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Three Philosophical Movements Absurdism: A belief that our need for meaning is Absurdism: A belief that our need for meaning is

greater than the ability of the universe to be greater than the ability of the universe to be meaningful, making all philosophical positions meaningful, making all philosophical positions absurd. absurd. – For instance, the man’s wife, who is sad, wants an For instance, the man’s wife, who is sad, wants an

“answer” for his bizarre death. Absurdism says the “answer” for his bizarre death. Absurdism says the universe will NOT give her answers. She has to figure it universe will NOT give her answers. She has to figure it out.out.

Make a comment or question on this PPT. I will Make a comment or question on this PPT. I will call on you.call on you.

Three Philosophical Movements Existentialism: A belief that neither human beings Existentialism: A belief that neither human beings

nor the universe has any essentialnor the universe has any essentialnature (meaning). Human beings construct their nature (meaning). Human beings construct their natures (meaning) through their choices.natures (meaning) through their choices.

Absurdism: A belief that our need for meaning is Absurdism: A belief that our need for meaning is greater than the ability of the universe to be greater than the ability of the universe to be meaningful, making all philosophical positions meaningful, making all philosophical positions absurd.absurd.

Camus’ Existential Moralism

Human beings inhabit a moral universe in which Human beings inhabit a moral universe in which there are no absolute guidelines. There are “legal” there are no absolute guidelines. There are “legal” guidelines and “social” guidelines, but nothing can guidelines and “social” guidelines, but nothing can really “stop” us from action.really “stop” us from action.

Nonetheless, we have an ethical sense that we try to Nonetheless, we have an ethical sense that we try to live up to—most of us want to be live up to—most of us want to be ““good people,good people,”” though it is difficult to pin down exactly what this though it is difficult to pin down exactly what this means. (BEING A GOOD PERSON ALSO means. (BEING A GOOD PERSON ALSO MEANS DEFINING EXACTLY WHAT THAT MEANS DEFINING EXACTLY WHAT THAT MEANS)MEANS)

Camus’ Existential Moralism

Define what being a good person means. What do Define what being a good person means. What do you have to believe, and what type of actions?you have to believe, and what type of actions?– Example: “I believe that in order to be a good person, I Example: “I believe that in order to be a good person, I

have to help others who are less fortunate than me.”have to help others who are less fortunate than me.”

– ““I believe in order to be a good person, I have to feed I believe in order to be a good person, I have to feed my dog.”my dog.”

You have 2 minutes to work with a partner.You have 2 minutes to work with a partner.

Camus’ Existential Moralism

Life constantly presents us with moral Life constantly presents us with moral choices without giving us the right answerschoices without giving us the right answers

The various ways that we try to define a The various ways that we try to define a moral code and live by it constitute our moral code and live by it constitute our moral being.moral being.

We define ourselves as moral beings by the We define ourselves as moral beings by the choices that we make within the ethical choices that we make within the ethical system that we construct.system that we construct.

Camus’ Absurdism There is no natural meaning in the world. There is no natural meaning in the world.

There is no “right” or “wrong” answer to There is no “right” or “wrong” answer to moral choices. It is only when we provide moral choices. It is only when we provide the meaning. Right or wrong are the meaning. Right or wrong are determined by humans, not by a natural determined by humans, not by a natural “being.”“being.”

Camus’ Absurdism The belief that our desire for meaning is greater than the The belief that our desire for meaning is greater than the

capacity of the universe to produce meaning. capacity of the universe to produce meaning. Example: A traumatized child brings a blankie along for Example: A traumatized child brings a blankie along for

comfort and support. One day, a burglar breaks into the comfort and support. One day, a burglar breaks into the house, and the child is pissed when the blankie does not house, and the child is pissed when the blankie does not protect him. The child’s belief in the blankie, the desire protect him. The child’s belief in the blankie, the desire for meaning he wants for it, is greater than the ability of for meaning he wants for it, is greater than the ability of the universe to provide meaning. It is the child that puts it the universe to provide meaning. It is the child that puts it in.in.

Camus’ Absurdism Once we get over the fact that nature doesn’t give a rat’s Once we get over the fact that nature doesn’t give a rat’s

a*$ about us, once we understand how our need for nature a*$ about us, once we understand how our need for nature to provide meaning is “absurd,” we can move on. to provide meaning is “absurd,” we can move on.

Watch “Tsunami Engulfs a man”Watch “Tsunami Engulfs a man”

We can now say that it is US, WE provide meaning We can now say that it is US, WE provide meaning through our values and moral codes. This is personal through our values and moral codes. This is personal freedom. This is the role absurdism plays in making us freedom. This is the role absurdism plays in making us closer.closer.

Choice

We need to choose our moral guidelines. We need to choose our moral guidelines. These are called “values.” When we These are called “values.” When we choose our values, we have ultimate choose our values, we have ultimate freedom, because our choices are guided freedom, because our choices are guided not by absurd, automatic impulses, but by not by absurd, automatic impulses, but by deliberate choice at the highest level.deliberate choice at the highest level.

ChoiceBelow are a set of values. Choose from most Below are a set of values. Choose from most

important to least important.important to least important.

Courage, love, freedom, intimacy, health, financial Courage, love, freedom, intimacy, health, financial security, passion, friendship, comfort, peace, security, passion, friendship, comfort, peace, creativity, popularity.creativity, popularity.

Example:Example:

1)1) LoveLove 2) Health2) Health 3) freedom3) freedom4) Courage4) Courage 5) Passion5) Passion

ChoiceWas it determined by the ranked values? Or did you Was it determined by the ranked values? Or did you

base your decision on something random?base your decision on something random?

Example: I chose to hang out with my friends more Example: I chose to hang out with my friends more instead of my girlfriend. Do you see how instead of my girlfriend. Do you see how “freedom” and “Love” can sometimes conflict? “freedom” and “Love” can sometimes conflict? This is why life is so damn HARD. Your top values This is why life is so damn HARD. Your top values might conflict!might conflict!

Example:Example:

1)1) LoveLove 2) Health2) Health 3) freedom3) freedom4) Courage4) Courage 5) Passion5) Passion

ChoiceWhat was the most difficult choice you had to make in What was the most difficult choice you had to make in

the past year?the past year?

Was it determined by the ranked values? Or did you Was it determined by the ranked values? Or did you base your decision on something random?base your decision on something random?

Example: I chose to hang out with my friends more Example: I chose to hang out with my friends more instead of my girlfriend. instead of my girlfriend.

Example:Example:

1)1) LoveLove 2) Health2) Health 3) freedom3) freedom 4) 4) CourageCourage 5) Passion5) Passion

Meursault’s Ironic Situation

Only when he is in prison, when he is Only when he is in prison, when he is sentenced to death, does he understand the sentenced to death, does he understand the meaningful freedom he has. Like us. It is meaningful freedom he has. Like us. It is only when we understand the certainty of only when we understand the certainty of our death do we embrace how much we are our death do we embrace how much we are alive. We see this post 9-11 and in alive. We see this post 9-11 and in platitudinous phrases like “Yolo.”platitudinous phrases like “Yolo.”

Meursault’s Choice Meursault’s choice of whether to kill the Meursault’s choice of whether to kill the Arab or to walk away represents the kinds of Arab or to walk away represents the kinds of moral choices that we all make: there are no moral choices that we all make: there are no solid guidelines for him to use, but there are solid guidelines for him to use, but there are genuine moral consequences to whatever he genuine moral consequences to whatever he decides.decides.