Rebel
In Albert Camus’ novel The Stranger, the protagonist, Meursault, is ultimately convicted not so much for the murder he commits but because of his emotional indifference toward his mother’s death. Camus uses Meursault’s trial and subsequent condemnation to explore the absurdity of societal norms and the tendency of humans to judge and punish based on adherence to conventional expectations, rather than moral action itself.
Meursault’s crime—the killing of an Arab man—takes place under ambiguous circumstances. The murder, though an undeniable fact, lacks any premeditated malice. Throughout the novel, Meursault presents himself as emotionally detached, living a life dictated by sensory experiences rather than deep emotional or moral commitments. His refusal to conform to societal expectations regarding grief becomes a central theme, especially during the trial. Instead of focusing on the murder itself, the court and prosecutor obsess over Meursault’s apparent lack of remorse and cold reaction to his mother's death.
From the outset, Meursault’s indifference to his mother’s passing shocks those around him. He does not cry at her funeral, shows little interest in the details of her burial, and quickly returns to his daily routine without expressing sorrow. The prosecutor uses this perceived lack of feeling as evidence of his moral character, framing him as a cold, inhuman figure unfit for society. The trial becomes less about justice for the murder and more about Meursault's failure to conform to societal norms of grief and emotion. His behavior at his mother’s funeral is scrutinized as if it were an extension of his crime, as if his emotional detachment were a greater offense than the killing itself.
Camus’ exploration of this theme highlights the absurdity of human justice systems, where individuals are judged not by their actions alone, but by how well they conform to social expectations. Meursault is condemned not because he is a murderer, but because he is seen as morally deficient for failing to exhibit the expected emotions in situations where society demands it. The court constructs a narrative around his lack of grief, treating it as evidence of his guilt and dangerousness, thus equating his indifference with cruelty. His actions, though legally punishable, are almost secondary to the trial’s real concern: his perceived emotional deviance.
Camus uses Meursault’s character to challenge conventional notions of morality and societal judgment. Meursault, in his indifference, embodies the absurd man—someone who refuses to feign emotions or conform to social expectations simply because they are prescribed. In doing so, he becomes alienated from society, which demands adherence to norms in order to uphold the illusion of order and meaning. Meursault's conviction reveals how society values conformity over truth, punishing those who do not fit its expectations.
In The Stranger, Camus suggests that humans are often more concerned with upholding social appearances than addressing the true nature of individual actions or intentions. Meursault's fate reflects the absurdity of a world that punishes people not for their crimes, but for their failure to conform to the emotional and moral expectations of others. His trial becomes a condemnation not of the murder, but of his failure to mourn, illustrating the irrationality of societal judgment and the complex ways in which we assign meaning to human behavior.
Albert Camus was a French-Algerian philosopher, writer, and journalist, and one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century. Often associated with existentialism, Camus developed a distinct philosophical outlook that revolves around the concepts of absurdity, rebellion, and the search for meaning in an indifferent universe. Through his writings, Camus explored the human condition, confronting the existential dilemma of living in a world without inherent meaning or purpose. His philosophy, often labeled as absurdism, argues that while life may be devoid of ultimate meaning, humans can still create purpose and value through acts of rebellion and personal integrity.
At the heart of Camus' thought is the concept of the "absurd," which refers to the conflict between humans' desire to find meaning and purpose in life and the universe's apparent indifference or meaninglessness. Camus describes life as absurd because humans continually search for answers and meaning, yet the universe remains silent, offering no inherent purpose. This tension—the human need for clarity and the chaotic, indifferent nature of the world—creates a sense of absurdity.
To Albert Camus’ point, the creation of the universe, Earth, and the emergence of life are events governed by chance, not by any preordained purpose or design. From the formation of the cosmos to the development of life on Earth, the incredible improbability of these occurrences underscores his philosophy of the absurd. The universe is vast, indifferent, and devoid of inherent meaning. The fact that a speck of dust could evolve into a living cell, that the cell could turn into a fish, and eventually into a mammal, and finally into a human being with consciousness, is a series of random events shaped by the forces of nature.
For Camus, this randomness lies at the core of the absurd. Humans, who possess the capacity for self-reflection, yearn for meaning and purpose. However, the universe offers no clear answer or grand design to explain our existence. The evolution of life—from unconscious matter to beings capable of contemplating their own existence—happened by chance, not with intent. In Camus' view, the sheer improbability of our existence emphasizes the absurdity of searching for a higher purpose in a purposeless universe.
Instead of despairing over the lack of intrinsic meaning, Camus suggests that we accept this absurdity and live fully in spite of it. The realization that everything we are—the sum of biological, evolutionary chance—has no inherent purpose can be both liberating and terrifying. It offers freedom to create our own values, meanings, and goals rather than clinging to external narratives that promise an ultimate purpose. In Camus' philosophy, the absurd is not something to be solved or escaped, but embraced as the raw reality of human existence. Our lives, like the universe itself, are shaped by randomness, but within that randomness lies the opportunity to live authentically and meaningfully on our own terms.
Camus famously used the Greek myth of Sisyphus as a metaphor for the human condition. In the myth, Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a boulder up a hill, only for it to roll back down each time he reaches the top, forcing him to start over for eternity. Camus saw Sisyphus as the ultimate absurd hero, a figure who is fully aware of the futility of his task but continues to push the boulder regardless. Camus concludes his essay by suggesting that one must imagine Sisyphus happy. This bold assertion illustrates Camus' belief that, in the face of absurdity, humans can still find happiness by embracing the struggle and living with full awareness of the absurd.
For Camus, the acknowledgment of life's absurdity is not a call to despair, but an opportunity for freedom. Once humans accept that life has no preordained purpose, they are liberated from the confines of dogma and can create their own meaning. This existential freedom forms the foundation of Camus' ethical outlook.
While Camus believed that life is absurd, he did not advocate for nihilism or passive resignation. Instead, he promoted the idea of "rebellion" as a means of confronting the absurd. Camus argues that rebellion is an essential response to the realization that life is meaningless. To rebel, in Camus' view, is to resist the despair that can arise from the absurd and to actively fight against the injustices and suffering that exist in the world.
For Camus, rebellion is not merely an individual act of defiance but a collective effort that affirms humanity and dignity in the face of a meaningless world. Rebelling against both meaninglessness and injustice, he argued, is a way for humans to reclaim their moral integrity. However, this rebellion is not violent or destructive; it is a principled stand against oppression, suffering, and nihilism. Camus was deeply critical of totalitarian ideologies—whether political or religious—that sought to impose meaning or control over human lives through authoritarian means. He viewed such systems as fundamentally opposed to genuine rebellion, which must be grounded in respect for human freedom and dignity.
For Camus, the realization that life lacks inherent purpose intensifies the ethical responsibility of the individual, rather than diminishing it. The absence of objective meaning does not free us from moral obligations; instead, it highlights the need for personal integrity and collective solidarity. While the universe may be indifferent to human suffering, Camus believed that humans cannot afford to be indifferent to one another. In his philosophy, rebellion against life’s absurdity is not only a personal act of resistance but also a deeply ethical stance that affirms our shared humanity.
He rejected nihilism, which suggests that the lack of meaning justifies apathy or selfishness. Instead, he argued that the absence of divine or cosmic order places the burden of creating meaning squarely on human shoulders. This responsibility extends beyond individual meaning-making; it involves recognizing and addressing the suffering, injustice, and oppression present in the world. For Camus, ethical action stems from an acknowledgment of life’s absurdity and a commitment to improving the human condition, even if such efforts may ultimately prove futile. Rebellion, in this sense, is not about achieving final victory or finding ultimate truth, but about standing together in solidarity against dehumanization and injustice.
The realization of life's absurdity raises the question of whether life is worth living. If life has no inherent meaning, what is the point of continuing to live? This is the central existential crisis that Camus confronts in his philosophy.
Rather than advocating for suicide as a solution to the absurd, Camus argues for the opposite. He believes that acknowledging the absurdity of life should lead not to resignation or suicide but to a renewed appreciation for life itself. By confronting the absurd, humans can live more authentically, fully aware of their condition yet refusing to succumb to despair. In this sense, the absurd becomes a source of strength rather than a cause for despair.
Camus' philosophy thus emphasizes the importance of choosing life in the face of absurdity. It is through the act of living, despite the lack of ultimate meaning, that individuals assert their freedom and create value.
Camus had a strong sense of social justice, rejecting ideologies that sought to oppress or exploit others, and he was critical of both capitalism and communism when they resulted in authoritarianism or human suffering. He would likely support policies aimed at reducing economic inequality, such as progressive taxation, fair labor practices, and welfare systems that protect the vulnerable. Camus' emphasis on solidarity suggests a commitment to improving the human condition through social and economic justice.
A critic of totalitarianism and violence, Camus was opposed to war and its destructive effects on human dignity and freedom. He would likely support modern policies that promote diplomacy, peaceful conflict resolution, and arms control, opposing aggressive military actions that result in large-scale suffering and oppression.
Camus was a humanist who rejected all forms of totalitarian control and oppression, including systems of sexism and patriarchy. His philosophy emphasizes the importance of individual freedom and dignity, which would naturally align with support for gender equality and the rejection of sexist practices. He would likely support policies aimed at dismantling systemic sexism and advancing women's rights, including access to education, equal pay, and reproductive rights.
Camus was a staunch critic of all forms of authoritarianism and totalitarianism. He would oppose any political system or policy that seeks to oppress, control, or dehumanize individuals. He advocated for individual freedom and would likely support policies that protect civil liberties, human rights, and democracy, and oppose surveillance states, censorship, and authoritarian governance.
Although Camus didn’t explicitly write about healthcare, his humanism and focus on ethical responsibility toward others suggest he would support policies ensuring access to healthcare as a fundamental human right. Given his belief in solidarity and justice, he would likely advocate for systems that ensure basic needs like healthcare, housing, and education are available to all.
Camus’ philosophy emphasizes the need to act ethically in the face of life’s absurdity. He might argue that environmental destruction is an extension of humanity’s failure to take responsibility for its actions. Given his respect for solidarity and justice, Camus would likely support environmentalism as a necessary rebellion against humanity’s exploitation of the planet, recognizing the duty to preserve the environment for future generations and to combat systems of exploitation that harm vulnerable populations.
While Camus didn't specifically address veganism, his emphasis on ethical action and rejecting suffering would likely align with a moral stance against cruelty. Camus' rebellion against the absurd could extend to a rejection of unnecessary violence against animals, particularly if done out of habit or tradition without ethical justification. He would likely support choices that reflect personal responsibility and a conscious rejection of suffering.
