Albert Camus and his Philosophy of the Absurd

... Philosophy 255: Moral Psychology Albert Camus and his Philosophy of the Absurd Writer Albert Camus and his philosophy of the absurd present an interesting twist on moral psychology. Whereas classical Western philosophers such as Plato and Socrates argued a moral obligation to "the good life" and the existence of an absolute common human (moral) nature, Camus suggests that life is absurd, and in fact almost meaningless. The only meaning or value he gives to human life is the pure joy of living in a world with which man is connected. He rejects religious belief and existentialism, which in his view serve only to support and even glorify the irrational. He puts forth a moral psychology which involves accepting and even embracing the absurdity of one's life, and simply living one's time as fully and intensely as possible. Camus' s argument maintains that any course of action is acceptable, as long

want to read more? →