I have despised the idea of using a religious symbol to explain an idea. Until I read Albert Camus. I have also despised those who felt that there is no meaning in life. Until I read Albert Camus.
Albert Camus never wanted to be 'categorized' into an Existentialist, and I understand why (The number of times existentialism has been parodied in Woody Allen movies makes me re-think existentialism itself.)
The core concept of Existentialism begins with humans- and not society or religion- assign a certain meaning to life, in order to live passionately and sincerely. But that's the most atomized form of it-there are variants. A second definitive concept within Existentialism is how "existence preceeds essence" [associated with Sartre, which I personally think is controversial because the opposite can also be true, as Heidegger pointed out is a reversal of Plato's statement.]
So what is 'The myth of Sisyphus' ? It's an essay by Albert Camus. It's kind of humorous that an atheist like Camus using religious symbols to convey his philosophy of the world but it's better to take the author as a good sport.
But before going into what camus says, what is the metaphorical meaning of this myth? The gods had condemned Sisyphus to ceaselessly rolling a rock to the top of a mountain, whence the stone would fall back of it's own weight. So here is a man, rolling a rock to the top of a mountain, and each time the rock would tumble down again. Albert Camus, the genius, takes this as an allegory to explain the human 'condition'.
According to Camus, we are caught in this act. And there's only one problem. If there is no meaning in life, and if life is meaningless, then what's keeping us from suicide?
Obviously i won't answer, it's for you to read and find out. I'm here for the directions only, ha ha.
