I was recently watching a YouTube video on Existentialist philosopher Albert Camus so naturally I picked up The Stranger. My wife also inquired “who are the existentialists?”, my response was, “they are a dark philosophical bunch but I like them.” I have always enjoyed novels and the mix of philosophy I found in The Stranger was extremely enjoyable and thought provoking. Also we have also covered At the Existentialist Cafe by Sarah Bakewell in a prior post which is essentially an overview of the primary thinkers of Existentialists over the years.
Defining Albert Camus’ philosophy, I must highlight that he is connected to Absurdism and Existentialism although he never accepted being a part of the movements. Regardless, he is often associated with the two philosophical movements. Both emphasize the individual’s struggle to find meaning and purpose in a seemingly meaningless and indifferent universe. Absurdism is the philosophy that human beings exist in an absurd, meaningless world, and that any attempt to find inherent meaning or purpose is ultimately futile. Camus believed that the human condition is characterized by a fundamental conflict between our desire for meaning and the universe’s apparent lack of it. This conflict can lead to feelings of alienation, despair, and a sense of absurdity. Existentialism, on the other hand, is the philosophy that emphasizes individual freedom and choice in the face of an indifferent universe. He believed that the individual is responsible for creating their own meaning and purpose in life, and that this can only be achieved through a personal and subjective understanding of the world. Existentialism emphasizes the importance of authenticity, self-awareness, and personal responsibility in the face of life’s uncertainties and contradictions.
In regards to his personal background of the author, Camus was born in Algeria and spent much of his childhood in poverty. Despite this, he excelled academically and received a scholarship to study philosophy at the University of Algiers. He is best known for his philosophical works, particularly his exploration of existentialism and the absurd as mentioned above. His most famous works along with the The Stranger, are The Myth of Sisyphus, and The Plague. These works explore the human condition and the struggle to find meaning and purpose in a seemingly meaningless world. During World War II, Camus was an active member of the French Resistance and wrote for the underground newspaper Combat. After the war, he became an advocate for peace and spoke out against totalitarianism and oppression.
In addition to his philosophical and political work, Camus was also a prolific writer of fiction and drama. He won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1957 for his body of work, which includes novels such as The Fall, as well as plays such as Caligula and The Misunderstanding.
In The Stranger, the protagonist of the novel, Meursault, is an emotionally detached French Algerian who lives in Algiers. He receives news of his mother’s death, attends her funeral, and then goes on with his life as if nothing happened. The novel follows his journey as he is put on trial for the murder of an Arab man whom he shot for no apparent reason. The novel also explores the idea of the absurd, which is the conflict between the human need for meaning and purpose and the universe’s inherent lack of meaning. Camus believed that this conflict leads to a sense of existential angst or despair, which is also evident in Meursault’s character. In the end, Meursault is found guilty and sentenced to death, not for the murder itself, but for his lack of remorse and his refusal to conform to society’s expectations of how one should behave in court. The novel suggests that it is society that ultimately judges and condemns individuals, not their actions.
In The Stranger, Meursault’s lack of emotional response to his mother’s death and his seeming indifference to the world around him can be seen as a reflection of the absurdity of the human condition. Similarly, Meursault’s refusal to conform to society’s expectations during his trial can be seen as an expression of existential freedom and individual responsibility. I definitely enjoyed the way these philosophies were played out in a novel form. I felt like I got to know Camus personally through the voice of Meursault.
Camus’ work is particularly relevant in today’s world. His ideas about the absurdity of existence and the importance of individual freedom and responsibility resonate with many people who feel disillusioned with traditional values and societal expectations. Reading Camus can help you to understand and navigate the complexities of modern life and to develop your own sense of purpose and meaning. I would recommend picking up The Stranger, widely regarded as classic of modern literature.
Written by Michael McPhail
Brains and Brawn 