Lecture Notes: Nihilism, Existentialism, and Absurdism

Introduction to Nihilism

• Nihilism: Philosophy stating life has no meaning.
• The world exists for no reason.

Shift to Existentialism

• Rise of existentialism: Acceptance of no divine purpose.
• Major concepts:
  • Freedom from traditional roles (employee, citizen, etc.).
  • Individual responsibility for decisions.
  • No one is coming to rescue us; everyone is ultimately in charge of their own life.
• Observations on modern society:
  • Disillusionment with billionaires and politicians.
  • Skepticism towards conventional life advice.

Albert Camus and Existentialism

• Background on Albert Camus:
  • French-Algerian thinker, originally a footballer.
  • Contradictions between life’s absurdity and our search for meaning.
• Core ideas:
  • Humans are machines hungry for purpose in a cruel universe.
  • Possible responses to life's absurdity:
    1. Refusal: Ending one's life (not recommended).
    2. Leap of Faith: Believing in inherent meaning (could be anything symbolic).
    3. Absurdism: Acceptance of absurdity and living despite it.

The Concept of Absurdism

• Absurdism as a response to existential despair:
  • Recognizing the necessity of meaning yet failing to find it.
  • Camus: "The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become absolutely free."
• The contradiction of needing meaning but not finding it.

The Problem of Existence

• Philosophical questions about existence:
  • Why is there something rather than nothing?
  • Exploration of the universe's beginnings and concepts of time.
  • Antinomy: Conflicting premises that both seem reasonable.
• Examples of antinomies:
  • Infinite vs. finite divisibility of matter.
  • Pre-determined events vs. free choice.

Human Paradoxes

• The struggle with life's contradictions:
  • Why do bad things happen to good people?
  • Exploration of consciousness and subconsciousness.
  • Questions of human existence and meaning.

The Story of Ernest Shackleton

• 1914 expedition to Antarctica:
  • Crew of 27 stranded after the ship "Endurance" sank.
  • Despite harsh conditions, the crew maintained morale through activities like plays and moonlight walks.
  • Shackleton's successful rescue of the crew after months of isolation.
• Reflection on absurdism through their experience:
  • Finding humanity in absurd conditions.
  • Comparison to modern existential struggles.

Conclusion: Living with Absurdism

• Camus's perspective on enjoying life despite its absurdity:
  • "Dance in the mystery of life."
  • Embrace the unknown and commit to living fully.
• Importance of courage and mastery over fear:
  • Courage is not the absence of fear but the decision to act regardless of it.
• Final thoughts on the nature of existence:
  • Absurdism asks questions without providing final answers.
  • Encourage appreciation of life and existence as they are.

Author's Personal Note

• Mention of a poetry book titled "Poems for the Lost":
  • Focus on themes of absurdism.
  • Humorous acknowledgment of the book's reception.