What “The Myth of Sisyphus” by Camus says about life

“The Myth of Sisyphus” is a philosophical essay by Albert Camus published in French, in 1942, as Le Mythe de Sisyphe. What this book says about the meaning of life.

Sisyphus was a character of Greek mythology, well known for being punished by the gods. He had to push a stone up a mountain but, before reaching the top, it rolled down. This happened again and again, frustratingly and absurdly.

In this essay, award-winning novelist Albert Camus reflects on a question that was repeated in the philosophy of his time: what is the meaning of life? One of the central concepts of his work is absurdwhich arises from a man’s search for meaning who does not understand the world around him.

Life according to Albert Camus in “The Myth of Sisyphus”

In Greek mythology, Sisyphus He was recognized as the king of the city of Corinth. His cunning and intelligence had provoked the wrath of the gods. After several exploits and rebellions on his part, he receives the punishment of being eternally condemned to push a rock to the top of a mountain, watching it fall again and again.

Camus’ interpretation of this myth is that the punishment of Sisyphus reflects the human condition. Sisyphus is a hero of the absurd, aware of his fate, but alive. He continues to live despite the absurdity of his life.

For the French essayist and novelist, all people are involved in tasks and repetitive daily struggles. While it may seem bleak, Camus argues that this does not mean it should generate despair.

It explains how Sisyphus is not only not distressed by his task, but feels liberated by it. The character from Greek mythology is free from the illusion that one day he will have something more than what he already has. And this sets him free. Like Sisyphus, Human beings can also find joy and satisfaction in the struggle with meaning.

Albert Camus: Embrace the absurd

There is a question that the writer asks in this book. “Why do you choose to stay alive?” This is his thesis, even if at a certain point everyone asks it what is the purpose or the meaning of what they do on a daily basis, continue to value life and existence.

There are two experiences, according to this story, that make people reflect on the meaning of their lives: the repetition of their days, routine and reality irremediable of death.

Faced with these two experiences, it is normal for people to ask themselves what the meaning of their life is. At least it was a very common question in the philosophy of time in which Camus, Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir wrote.

This feeling that life has no value or meaning is what matters Albert Camus called “the absurd”. The absurd arises when man realizes that he is unable to understand the world. In fact, he compares the man trying to understand the world to a sword fighter trying to face an army of armed men.

According to this book and much of his other literature, the key is to rebel against the absurd, not by denying or evading it, but Living life on the edge Nonetheless. Embracing the absurd means achieving profound freedom in life.