In a universe so ginormous with an affluent abundance of billions of humans, ranging from billionaire toddler empresses of large corporations to elders surviving traumatizing events of the twentieth century, individuals tend to question their purpose on Earth. Unfortunately, not everyone will live to see dreams come true or will win a massive lottery prize or even extend their family’s generation. So, if not everyone changes the world in even the most minimal method, what is the point of one’s existence? Animals and plants serve a purpose contributing largely to the environment and the average person’s diet; but for humans, is there a purpose to life? If an individual is not happy nor believes they have a purpose, is the universal solution suicide? By the early years of the twentieth century, a philosophical movement sprouted in an attempt to solve the ultimate questions of human …show more content…
His life also included a series of events shaping his perspectives and philosophies ranging from working as a journalist for a multitude of political movements, joining the Communists, moving to Paris, touring the United States and even playing soccer (Bucko). All of these sharp changes in his life varied, but they emphasized a common value -- individual freedom. Camus additionally feared early death and worked incredibly quickly on his works before it would be too late for him to accomplish anything. Satirically, Camus’ life was relatively brief due to a loss in war against tuberculosis and a tragic car accident, yet he was an accomplished man who has received recognition internationally for his works, novels and underground short stories. Albert Camus has contributed immensely to the school of thought through his ideas extending from existentialism.Within his collection of stories from Exile and the Kingdom, “The Adulterous Woman” delivers an absurdist and existentialist perspective from the eyes of the main character Janine, or the alluded adulterous
Camus’s underlying philosophy is revealed from the very beginning of the story. The French title, “L’hote”, translates to mean both “guest” and “host” simultaneously, which implies that the mutually respectful relationship between the main characters in the story should be applied to mankind everywhere. The story begins on an auspicious note with the introduction
It's a fundamental belief of mine that each one of us is brought upon this world with a major definite purpose in life. Everyone has a unique destiny for contributing to this world using their unique blend of talents and passions. I have no doubt that most people today work hard and stay busy with daily activities. The problem I've noticed is that many people live their lives without any sense of meaningful purpose that gives their lives passion and significance. They get caught up in the daily mechanical routines of life and they become creatures of habit rather than purpose-driven beings. Finding and shaping your major definite purpose is perhaps the most important thing that you will ever do in your life because your purpose is the driving force that spawns all the achievements that you will ever accomplish and it provides that unlimited source of motivation that drives you to achieve all the goals that you set for yourself and enables you to live life to the fullest.
Suicide is, according to Sartre, “an opportunity to stake out our understanding of our essence as individuals in a godless world” (Stanford, 2004). Fundamentally, existentialism argues all individuals are free and therefore responsible for their actions. Thus, it is up to the individual to create an ethos of personal ideology, which is the only way one is able to rise above the human condition of suffering, death and finality (Guigon, 2001). Suicide is seen as the individual’s act of giving in to the absurdity of human life. In other words, when a human is unable to create meaning out of the absurdity that surrounds him or herself, her or she live the typical life of pain, suffering, death and thus make suicide a natural act of existence
All human beings share the innate attraction to gather in groups and fear alienation. It seems that as humanity has developed, so has our global community. For example, what do modern-day New York and Ancient Egypt share in common? These places represent large gatherings of individuals who came together to find protection and comfort in numbers. However, one downfall to this human instinct is that in many grand communities that span the globe today, the importance of the individual is often lost. Every life is like a drop in the ocean of the earth’s seven billion people. However, I believe a truly purposeful life is one that has carved out its own stream as an individual while also contributing to the larger ocean, its source. My purpose, as
What is the purpose of a human being? “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence” (Nicomachean Ethics). When one thinks about happiness, these words said by Aristotle allow us to understand its significance. Through Aristotle’s teachings, he made it clear that the point of life is to be happy. Aristotle uses the word happiness as having to do with a person’s life as a whole, and not as the constant desire of wanting to experience pleasure (Aristotle’s Ethics). People tend view happiness as an emotion that is not long lasting, while it is really about accumulating the good experienced an entire lifetime. To Aristotle, happiness is about flourishing, virtues, focusing on our well-being, and self-sufficiency.
In 1942, Albert Camus published The Myth of Sisyphus, wherein he states that “There is but one truly serious philosophical problem and that is suicide. Judging whether life is or is not worth living amounts to answering the fundamental question of philosophy.” With this quote, Camus argues that if someone commits suicide of their own volition, they have found a level of enlightenment that no living person has, for they are confident enough in their philosophical beliefs to willingly entomb their final action with utmost permanence. Through analyzing Kate Chopin’s The Awakening (published in 1899) under Camus’s sentiments, Edna committing suicide shows us that for her, conforming to a system that considers
What is the meaning of life? Many philosophers and religions have attempted to answer the question of what, if anything, gives an individual a purpose. Nevertheless, contrasting metaphysical interpretations have created a perpetual discussion on the ontology of an individual. Consider western monotheistic ideology, existentialism and nihilism. Western monotheistic ideology outlines the purpose of existence as living to the standard of perfection defined by the religion’s god and exemplified by the religion’s messiah1. Contrarily, Existentialism is based on the proposition of existence coming before purpose: an individual will give himself purpose through his own
If something like an object or living being exists it then has a purpose for existing, but finding out this purpose seems almost impossible. The concept that people live for a purpose is strange, and if so what would this purpose be? A story called The Nine Billion Names of God, by Arthur C. Clarke offers a purpose for the human race to accomplish.
Camus insists that there are always choices and the only choice unavailable is not to choose. This idea is portrayed through the decisions that Daru and the prisoner make in the face of dilemmas. However, Camus places more value in the responsibility that influences both Daru and the prisoner to make certain choices. He acknowledges that humans can access certain freedom through accepting their eventual death. The prisoner achieves self-awareness when Daru gives him a life and death choice, but realizes the inexorable truth of futility in fleeing from his punishment. .He makes his own decision and holds accountable for the murder. Meanwhile, Daru’s choice is a true dilemma: He makes his decision based on what he believes is the right thing
Yes, suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem, but as Camus states, life is absurd so it is up to us to make meaning of it. Making meaning of the life we are given is done in different ways and in some people it is making a person so miserable that they consider suicide to be the answer. For example, bullying. Humans are social creatures and in order to get through the absurdity that is called life, everyone needs a support system. People who commit suicide usually don't have anyone they feel they can talk to; they don't have anyone to show them that suicide eliminates the possibilty of life ever getting better. Society places constructs and ideals of success. When some people don't meet these ideals, they get frustrated and
He believed that someone who was smart was able to be involved in actual life, and philosophy was a problem within that person that could simply not be explained. Camus explains that life to him is absurd. Life is absurd, because we constantly seek for answers to our questions, and never really get a definite answer.
Aristotle once quoted that “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.” Granted, times have changed since 322 BC, but this general, basic idea can still be observed and studied in our modern times. Considering Aristotle is also one of the greatest thinkers in the history of western science and philosophy, this statement could easily be widely accepted, and could certainly provide substance for thought as to what the purpose of existence really is. In agreement to Aristotle, happiness is what makes a life worth living, and it is measured by refraining from materialism and feeling inspired by our coexisting society.
The consideration of the purpose of life has been ongoing and is never-ending throughout the course of history. The question itself has caused many people to generate many different strong views and opinions based on traditional, ideological backgrounds, and religious outlooks. The deliberation about the meaning of life will never end since there is not one reassuring basic, general answer. Instead, examine the question in another way, like, “What is my purpose in life?” The purpose of life varies from one person to another because of “free will.” While some people believe that for every human, life is called to some divine duty by God, everyone has a different drive that is waiting to be discovered within themselves, and people must set
We feel like every single event around us is really happening because of us. Have you never asked yourself, what if I never lived? What could’ve been the life of my parents today? or my friends? Somehow, we can say that one reason that makes us feel that we really exist are the things around us which makes us feel that we are important and there is a reason why we are created. Maybe we are created because we have a duty to do here on Earth. I believe that I am created by God because I am the one who is given the duty to serve the persons around me. How about you? What is your purpose of living? For whom do you
People these days are so much self-centered. They live for themselves only. Even when it comes to finding a purpose, most of the time you will notice that their decision round around themselves only. Life is a gift to explore an unknown potential. Life is a way to help others. When you started helping others in a way you started helping yourself, and remember that is the only way to find happiness.