"The Myth of Sisyphus" Review - Overwhelmingly Fulfilling

Let me be frank, I was acquainted with the elusive personality of Albert Camus, through Pinterest. However, after having read "The Myth of Sisyphus", I can confidently conclude that Camus is worthy of all the appreciation.

The Myth of Sisyphus is an essay, in which Camus propounds his philosophy of Absurdism. He begins with the most crucial question to existence - should one commit suicide? This is a question which many grapple with every day. Camus elucidates that the concept of human existence is paradoxical. He provides his critique on the ideas on other philosophers and how taking a 'leap of faith' (whether religious or not) is philosophical suicide. Camus concludes that life is indeed meaningless, but is still strongly against the idea of suicide - literal and philosophical.

Camus defines the absurd as the conflict between man trying to construe the meaning of life and the world's silence. To him, the absurd is an equation with two variables - the irrational and the reason. When you take either one out, you are not accepting the absurd. He states that we do not have an eternal purpose in life. But death need not circumscribe our freedom. Owing to the fact that our lives are ephemeral, we have freedom. 

Here he delivers one of the most beautiful messages, that it is natural for humans to want to contemplate the meaning of life, but the most important part is to live.

Camus uses various examples of characters and literary works which exemplify the spirit of absurdism, thus helping us form a vision on what the absurd truly is. To live is to embrace the absurd.

Camus concludes his dissertation with a legend from Greek mythology, that of Sisyphus, who was sentenced the punishment of rolling a boulder up a mountain ad infinitum. This is the epitome of the human struggle for meaning. Camus presents a fresh perspective to the 'myth', and suggests that Sisyphus, upon realising that he is control of his own fate, emerges victorious over the boulder. Thus Camus presents a beautiful outlook on life, one with incessant struggle, yet enough to fill one's heart.

One element of Camus' writing which I like in particular is his attitude towards science. He is not irreverent toward it, but rather he acknowledges that it is rife with uncertainty, and that it cannot decipher the purpose of our existence.

This book is no easy read, it was at times overwhelming it took hours of interpretation and contemplation. It is heavy on the mind and on the heart. However the feeling of fulfillment after truly resonating with Camus' words is incomparable.

Typically, the thought of life being meaningless can be harrowing and disconcerting. However Camus shows us that it is in this meaningless void in which lies the beauty and the spirit of living. He shows us that life is worth it. Camus' message is simple yet so profound. Instead of giving into blind faith, he tells us to choose life.

This is a book which should not only be read by everyone, but also re-read multiple times over the course of time. I am not exaggerating when I say that this book will make you re-evaluate your attitude towards existence.