Camus the Search for Meaning

Camus

The search for meaning in life is an absurd struggle, Camus claims. In fact, seeking meaning in a meaningless universe creates unhappiness. Camus' argument echoes themes in Buddhism, especially Chan/Zen Buddhism in which nothingness is embraced with full awareness and objectivity. Camus is correct in his claim that happiness is achieved by surrendering the desire to know and understand. "Happiness and the absurd are two sons of the same earth. They are inseparable." Camus would especially appreciate many of the modern comedians such as Larry David who have elevated the absurd to an art form.

Camus describes the myth of Sisyphus pushing the rock up a hill for all eternity to illustrate the two possible paths a person or a philosopher can take. One path is to struggle and curse the task, whereas the other is to find joy within it. The Zen concept of finding enlightenment in mundane tasks like chopping wood and carrying water is another way of demonstrating Camus' ideas.

Although Camus does not use Buddhism as a means to support his argument, the philosopher would have nevertheless been able to appreciate Buddhism's appreciation for the absurd. Admittedly, Camus could have claimed that some forms of Buddhism other than Zen fail in the same way Nietzsche and other European philosophers do by imposing some sort of transcendent meaning on the absurdity -- taking a leap of faith. What makes Camus' argument so poignant is that the philosopher is content with the absurd and finds no need to penetrate that reality for any broader discovery including the attribution of the absurd to God.

The reason why Camus criticizes most other philosophers' attempts to grapple with the lack of meaning in life is because most other philosophers paradoxically attempt to find meaning in the meaningless. The continual quest for meaning can and should be viewed as a primary source of unhappiness, which is why Camus states, "One must imagine Sisyphus happy." By imagining Sisyphus happy, it then becomes possible to find our own happiness in no matter what situation.

Camus begins his argument with a powerful statement about suicide, noting that it is the most important of all philosophical problems. The question of suicide cuts to the core of whether life has any meaning. If life has no meaning then it only makes sense to end the life, and seek meaning elsewhere. Camus claims that accepting absurdity negates the function of suicide, and renders suicide itself an absurdity. To commit suicide is no different than perpetuating blind and useless faith in an abstract God. Both acts entail surrendering the personal will. Suicide and blind faith both deny personal responsibility and instead project and expect meanings onto the universe. Camus' argument is self-empowering. Instead of having faith or hope, holding out for the revelation of true meaning, the individual has the opportunity to reach enlightenment in the present moment. Imagining Sisyphus happy is a bold mental step, and can be a paradigm shift. Taking personal responsibility means transforming one's perspective by embracing the absurd.