Seeking Meaning in the Absurdity of Life: The Myth of Sisyphus

Albert Camus published a philosophical essay titled The Myth of Sisyphus in 1942. The article examines the notion of the ridiculous, or the idea that there is a discrepancy between our desire to discover meaning in life and the reality that the cosmos does not inherently have any meaning. Even though this understanding may be depressing, according to Camus, it should instead motivate us to rebel against the pointlessness of life.

Camus used the tale of Sisyphus, a character from Greek mythology who was condemned by the gods and made to drag a boulder up a hill only to watch it roll back down, repeating this duty for all of eternity, to show the folly of human existence. Camus contends that Sisyphus can find fulfilment in the act of pushing the boulder up the hill despite his pointless task. In this way, Camus contends that life may be pointless, but it is nevertheless worthwhile to live.

The Myth of Sisyphus explores existentialism and the human condition overall, and it challenges us to look for meaning in the struggle and the journey rather of concentrating just on the result or end result.