Albert Camus, Lecture 1: Philosophical Suicide and The Absurd

[@elensj1996]

As someone who has suffered a variety of mental health issues, this philosophy helps me to feel less useless about the time I "lost" or "wasted" during difficult psychological times, because, if I understand this philosophy correctly, at least I got really close to the actual meaning of life. Makes the pain, shame and regret less of a burden for some reason.

[@Tethloach1]

This philosophy has come in many ways for me, I get that it is natural but, it is naturally absurd to me, and naturally we cannot take life too seriously that includes this way of thought.

[@kennethcarter1323]

Camus seems to deconstruct the is-ought paradox by finding some meaning in life by espousing aesthetics with a measure, a dash of measured enlightenment rationalism.

[@howtorecover1358]

Yes!!! that’s it

[@anhumblemessengerofthelawo3858]

_The matrix of the spirit is the primeval dark night of the soul. Into the black depression comes the sudden fiery appearance of lightning which turns everything on its head and such do all things come into being._ _suggested reading: Dark Night of the Soul by St John of the Cross. For someone like you, it is completely essential that you understand the purpose of this purging.... And, A Course In Miracles, written by jesus, believe it or not. It deals with the two systems of thought in creation, God and the ego, which are in diametrical opposition to one another. Also, the Ra Material. Ra is the extra terrestrial who built the Giza pyramid. They live on the sun in the sixth dimension, lol. (Truth is stranger than fiction my friend). Perhaps also The emerald tablets of both the atlantean. These latter three texts were written not by humans. The reason you suffer is because you are a spiritual being and you are being called._ "The only pain you feel is the love you withhold".

[@jamesbarlow6423]

Indeed. You can't go wrong with Camus. I first met him at 17, I'm 71 today, and he's bailed me out more than once for sure. Take care my friend!

[@TheCarlosgrau]

What a wonderful time we live in that lectures of this quality are freely available! Thank you for this.

[@samwahab8976]

Once you get over the shock of ridding yourself of magical thinking, and embracing the absurdity of life, once you climb out of that deep hole religion and culture left us in, only then you can enjoy life's gift, in every moment. Thank you for the great lecture.

[@tonyandradealliandro5013]

Totally agree

[@Richard-1776]

People are too stupid to live without religion. You aren’t (it doesn’t appear) and I can do without religion, and I might be dumb, but I’m nothing like ninety percent of the people in 2021, I may as well be Aristotle compared to most people today. The average person needs to stay the hell way from philosophy. Why? Look at academia, and the idiots they manufacture. Again, perhaps this guy is ok; this is my first time watching him, and he seems okay. But that fact is, I know so many people who went into college pretty smart, smarter than me, and came out with basically no sense at all. Just look around you. I hated religion, but it seems more and more that the religious make up a good part of the minority that actually have sense still. All is inverted.

[@kennethcarter1323]

The irony of Camus adopting ontological absurdity as his starting point is that he, like Nietzsche, answer ultimate questions like ethics with Don Juan aesthetics which is itself a form of philosophical suicide unresolved.

[@simpsonlover100]

@@Richard-1776 you have a superiority complex lol. Some of the most influential scientists and thinks believer in "magical" things. It's part of human culture and society. Do you really think you're smarter than Einstein, who was Jewish, or Mendel who was a Christian monk? I'm agnostic, but wow. Some self awareness is desperately needed in your life.

[@clementpeloquin1131]

@@simpsonlover100 I’m atheist, and i agree this guy has a complex lol

[@elhamhussainemy5116]

I was desperately looking for an in-depth discussion on Camus's philosophy concerning the Absurd and his book in general on YT. I couldn't be more grateful to have found your lecture video. Your deliverance of Camus's philosophy was simultaneously educative and admirably captivating. Thank you.

[@stephenacord8094]

It’s hard to find content like this

[@medpassport]

L mmmmmjm jmjh mal liuuiiiii miiiiiwolpaaaqq que w qq qqq qq qoqqqksss merci à Silo we la look etc

[@medpassport]

@@stephenacord8094 ms

[@medpassport]

A

[@francescos7361]

Thanks I love Camus , Florenskij and he absurd , I think he was surely one of the most influential intellectuals and indipendentist man , as I think and suppose. Probably I 'm wrong .

[@herecomethefuzz]

The fact that this type of information exists on the internet for free. Thank you for sharing something powerful and meaningful with the world.

[@JohnMark-vl7fp]

Camus is my favorite, because I went through an existential crisis, and this explains kind of what I went through, in one way or another, and offers some kind of substantial understanding for me.

[@AlohaBlade]

It’s great to begin the day with an existential crisis, defeat it and then get along with things. Repeat often.

[@arthurchinaski3736]

We are afraid of life. We have no faith in ourselves or our institutions. Our civilisation is eating itself from within. We hate ourselves for all our cowardly compromises. We believe in nothing and relapse into puerile hedonism or fashionable outrage.We despise our bosses and hate our jobs. We feel our lives to be futile and senseless.We are Dostoyevsky's superfluous men. Hello to all of you out there my fellow Absurd Men! Thank you Eric for your lecture. You say difficult things in a simple way - an art in itself. Bukowski's "Hug the Dark" says it better than I do.

[@eliezerribeiro7729]

hello

[@raymondlin642]

Not only does becoming an Absurd Person make the world more mysterious, I also feel that once the idea that life is meaningless fully sets in, it is hard to shake it. Even if you tried to commit philosophical suicide it would be difficult because you are constantly questioning and the thoughts would linger.

[@andreahuskey3313]

I agree somewhat, though you can go they way of secular philosophical suicide he mentioned, essentially distracting your mind. I think once you have seen The Absurd if you do not find a way to accept it you will either commit philosophical suicide of a different nature than before or risk physical suicide.

[@technoblinkist6518]

Raymond and Andrea, that has exactly been my predicament and I was constantly questioning it. But now that you have put it here, I feel validated, I mean, my thoughts are validated. The predicament isn't over though but I am feeling better.

[@waltermaingi797]

Fax. Once you see whats behind the curtain you cant go back

[@kaiheaton4858]

hey Eric Dodson I'm some random 19 dude from Victoria BC but u changed my life man, sometimes it's hard to sit and read a book with full attentiveness and understanding but these lectures have inspired me to continue my reading of the Myth of Sisyphus and to pursue a life doesn't need meaning and to be okay with it.

[@boxingjerapah]

Camus is the only philosopher I have ever needed.

[@BakersDelightSam]

Good reference to Fall Out 4.

[@EricDodsonLectures]

Ha ha... thanks for getting the reference. Here's another metaphor for philosophical suicide, straight from the Great Green Jewel of the Commonwealth: "Don't let the stress of life kill you... relax with some chem's... "

[@jpguitaristcomposer]

I laughed my ass off when I heard that, anyone wanna go to New Vegas?

[@thattimestampguy]

0:00 Introductory quote by Camus 2:29 Responding to Absurdity of Life 3:30 Philosophical Killing off of inquiry 🧐 4:15 Belief in God 5:14 Life doesn’t provide or tell answers to our human destiny 9:10 Christian Worldview: Virtue, Redemption of sin, recognition of God 11:00 All Religions provide this worldview ‘12:42 Just Deserves or Just Desserts

[@francescos7361]

Teological redemption is important according to me as trascendence and other interesting not so much cause I m not a mystic but interested in Eliade studies and De Martino . Thanks to prof. Peterson he is a great researcher in this topics.

[@juanmarine6566]

Men this is such a good video, even with gaming references, I hope more people can hear this words of wisdom

[@EricDodsonLectures]

Thanks, Juan.... y muchas gracias por mirar mi video, y por comentar tambien. Agradecimiento. Eric D.

[@smellslikeus]

@@EricDodsonLectures dam bro you didnt have to duo lingo him based on the name

[@alberteinstein2027]

@@smellslikeus it's okay dude, people love it when others speak their language, you really can connect with people that way in ways if you spoke another language it won't just have the same affect

[@DanielMendoza-st4kt]

@@smellslikeus JAJAJAJAJA

[@smarsville]

Best lecture on existentialism / Camus I've ever heard. Very succinct and accessible. Cleared up and put in order many ongoing gaps in my understanding, all in in 35 minutes. Kudos to Prof Dodson and West Georgia University from Kansas. I also appreciated the summary as it reinforced a position I had tentatively arrived at.

[@contemplativepursuits]

Remarkably explained. This lecture deserves 1 million likes.

[@jabel6434]

Abid Wani, But why does he take 20 minutes to say what he thinks before telling me what Camus is saying about constructive responses to life's absurdity?

[@contemplativepursuits]

@@jabel6434 Because he's not just quoting Camus verbatim, he's giving his own interpretation as well.

[@mackenziejefferson7876]

Albert Camus Philosophy of the absurd is the most accurate description of life I've ever encountered I'm reluctant to use the word respect for anyone but I will for him

[@FunkLikeYouMeanIt]

Much appreciated! I like the idea of being liberated by absurdist ontology rather than simply having an absurd ground to stand on. I feel like I always have so much more to learn!❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤‍🔥❤‍🔥

[@Jose-oq6kj]

a few years removed from first watching your lectures, thank you for what you did and continue to do!

[@honora217]

Reading Sisyphus definitely gave me a headache not only for those glossing vocabulary but also the vague statement especially in the first 3 chapters(in a Chinese learned English by myself), though it kept me going on as if I truly observed something significant in his wisdom till this video brings the essence to a conscious level in a rather simple,understandable language and that’s what a really good teacher is like. Thank you Professor.

[@samarthsingh8735]

I realised why it is that when professors themselves explain what they understand about an assigned readings, for the lack of better words, it just hits different. And even without a class to accompany them, this lecturer knocked it out of the park in putting a little vigour and colour to the black letter. It was really fun!

[@deia-says]

Wow, thank you so much for this video. I wish I had seen it much earlier in my life. As a mid 30s woman I have always wondered and pondered the big question why we are here and found "refuge" in eastern philosophies. Life to me felt very magical in my early 20s when I was a young backpacker, I spent a lot of time being in awe. However, as life progressed, career and relationship advanced I often felt a void - I only understand now how my unanswered question to why we are here has always given me an underlying anxiety. Basically, I suffered from not adressing my own personal "philosophical suicide". The way you sum up Camus work and also some of your own thoughts is very comforting to me. What I have been feeling and thinking somehow has a language to it - even a whole field of study, philosophy :) I wish they would teach this way earlier in school. I went to business school so I missed out on it and I am not sure I would have been ready for those topics earlier in my life. Anyway, thanks for your great contribution. I am very interested in doing a beginners' course in philosophy. My kind of motto as a young adult was always something like "life is a mystery" :) On a deeper level I always felt that but having this framed in an intellectual way is great :) Many greetings from Switzerland

[@brianbarrows196]

My boy had my curiosity and then he busted out Fallout references and had my attention. Amazing lecture.

[@docjohnson2874]

This is one of my Dr.D favorites.....it reminds me that I haven't seen much of your stuff on Utube of late....I hope this indicates that you are enjoying retirement and pursuing other interests....The Absurd is just out there....we don't have to play....cheers

[@minnienuke4480]

your lecture was very educating and fun to listen to. it helped clarify many things about camus. but what encouraged me to SMASH THAT LIKE BUTTON was the Fallout 4 reference! YESSS!!

[@9ul0oi]

albert camus is a strong man! so many unanswered questions and such restlessness states that some might call depersonalization are probably a way of life explaining itself as such a bizarre thing. I’d like to think of life as a box in which things have been put in, and closed up so only we know what goes inside but “life” i.e the box itself has no answers on who put such stuff in. I’m glad i came across this video, somehow i've become less anxious knowing that life feels the same way as most of us 😭

[@antarctist]

thank you for making these and providing them free to everyone. there are very few videos doing deep-dives longer than 15-minute synopses of Camus.

[@adrianinha19]

This has to be one of the most engaging lectures I've ever found on youtube. Thank you !

[@Nitephall]

One of the unfortunate side effects of education is it demystifies the world. A tree is "just" a tree. Everything is defined and labeled and we lose at an early age the ability to experience the world as mysterious and magical. It's kind of disturbing that the human brain takes so easily to this demystification of reality.

[@kshproductions7996]

--this is furthered by our economic system which commodofies everything into mere objects, commodities to be bought and sold. Things we originally couldn't have even imagined putting a price tag on now have a value set so arbitrarily yet instills to the rest of society that that value is what is the natural state of the world, that it is truth. This extends to our labor, our lives, and nature. It extends into the environment being seen as nothing more than dead weight for us to carve and extract resources from, fossil fuels to burn, sees human relationships outside of your basic circle as nothing more than relationships to further your ends economically, alienating oneself from themselves, the rest of society, and from nature. The value was once set by something as insignificant as paper money which due to being the measurement of value, became our god. Yet even from there it has gotten to the point where not even the material is the measure of it anymore, and money itself can be completely digital without needing to actually take any material shape

[@flowerbomb1992]

It should be quite the opposite, honestly, so I think you're looking at things the wrong way. The more education you receive, the less ordinary things are in your eyes, since you partialy understand the complexity of everything that exists. True magic begins with knowledge.

[@sebastianflowers8793]

I go to Northern Kentucky University and I found this video just scrolling through KZbin researching Camus but I would just like to say I really enjoyed your lecture! Your students must be lucky to have you as a teacher.

[@cranklesnacks]

Loved this series.. I hadn’t realized as an Absurd Man I often fall into the trap of validating The Absurd by suffering. You helped me see I hadn’t gone as far as Caymus, that is defiance by joy and happiness in the endless struggle and brutal insignificance may be the best use of our absurd middle fingers. Many thanks 🙏.

[@melissasanford2051]

I read The Stranger in my young teens and it has haunted me in a beautiful way ever since

[@veganphilosopher1975]

Thanks for drawing the distinction between meaninglessness and suffering I realize now I was in a strange way kind of jumbling the two together. We often feel distressed in a lack of meaning, but the two are not the same.

[@saulo5216]

Thanks for the amazing lecture, professor! My two cents: most KZbinrs can't read their script without making mistakes. They just cut it and continue from where they stopped and *no one ever notices or cares.* Everyone is used to this editing style. Awesome lecture anyway!

[@johnmitchell8925]

I'm 60 my awakening came when I became disabled 2 spinal fusion and a host of other ailments after being healthy all my life .now I have lots of time to think and knowing my pain and suffering is only gonna get worse is very sobering

[@lynnfisher3037]

Sorry you are experiencing that. How do you maintain your desire to keep living? By asking that I'm not suggesting that you end your life. I hope you can maintain that. Do you have a religious faith? What drives you?

[@johnmitchell8925]

Im not religious anymore eventhough I live in the Bible belt im afraid of ending my life as long as I can still take care of myself. I'm on disability and have no bills except medical and my rental house is in the country with a park like yard so I can go outside and enjoy the wildlife. I don't have to work anymore cause of my spine so when I start hurting I can go inside sit or lay down till I can walk again. Rinse and Repeat everyday😅 Thanks for asking how I cope😢

[@johnmitchell8925]

Also I was a mechanic retired heavy equipment so I can still read scopes and tinker on small equipment at my leisure I also had many hobbies during my lifetime and I love to read and cook. So even though my life has turned 180 in the last 5 years I'm not ready to go quite yet 😴☠️

[@kmonvishlawan]

I wish you continue to do the lectures here even after the pandemic. I miss learning about philosophy here

[@boxorfurnace]

Just came across your outstanding lectures. If you had 210 million subscribers, vs 21 thousand, the world would be a much better place….

[@JohnMark-vl7fp]

My favorite of the existentialists... thanks for this. I needed someone to walk me through it. This is a godsend!

[@rogercarroll2551]

Camus did not like being termed an existentialist.

[@shaggystone6397]

@@rogercarroll2551 nor would he appreciate being associated with the word " god send"

[@JohnMark-vl7fp]

@@shaggystone6397 I was being funny.

[@JohnMark-vl7fp]

@@rogercarroll2551 I recant. Would it be more appropriate to say 'examiner of existentialism'?

[@anup_cartoonist]

Hi professer, from Nepal. I am reading The Myth of Sisyphus and listening to your lectures. It has helped me understand it a lot . Thanks.

[@nateshini5832]

The absurd makes life miraculous and mysterious and should be celebrated for its ridiculousness rather than running from reality and trying to define precise answers to understand it. This is what I learned from your video, so thank you very much. I do think there is something to the idea of us being reincarnated in this life (not an afterlife) and that this happens through cycles that repeat themselves over the course of our lives where we find ourselves faced with curiously similar challenges but in different settings as a means to test us and help us refine ourselves. I don't totally believe this but have experienced things that would support it, at least as a possible theory.

[@eliezerribeiro7729]

great inquiry

[@JOSHINGEORGD123]

I am in my mid 20 and my philosophical knowledge carving me alive... this is like an intoxication a cheap drug... my super power is i can stare to a wall for hours

[@EricDodsonLectures]

Well, I'd say that the ability to focus on something for a long period of time *is* a kind of super-power. In any case, good luck with your journey into the terrain of philosophy. Eric D.

[@tululquamar6376]

Josh same here bro.

[@maryadelemehan1426]

...And feel like I was busy as fuck and need to sleep like I worked construction all day. I get it.

[@nolongerhuman13]

I have the new ability to not sleep and sit as still as a rock. I can make 30 minute brownies in 20 minutes. I can take out a spider , w a triscut at about 20 yards , tho I wouldn’t. None of these things bring any satisfaction at this point.

[@flooreijkelboom1693]

Thank you so much for making your lectures public - they are incredibly valuable.

[@learnwhattrulymatters]

It seemed like that to me when I was younger - that bad people get away with things. Life has taught me that no one ever gets away with anything. I also realized that when you truly deeply study any religion ( the mystic ) , they teach us to come out of the paradigm of good and bad. To be stuck in these dualities is what keeps us stuck. Freedom comes when we are able to see things just the way they are. To be able to realise how absurd life is , is a tremendous gift. Nothing is so important as to let it affect our happiness. The world will tell us otherwise. 😊

[@hr2513]

I enjoyed your lecture and ability to break down the logic behind his work. Thank you.

[@GannaAdel]

I've been working on something related to Camus's Myth of Sysiphus recently and this is by far the most informative video I've found yet. Very very well explained. Also thanks for introducing me to "enchanted agnosticism".

[@thesickrosevampires]

Refreshing and clearly explained. Nice audio quality too. Well done.

[@Crashed2023]

I must be listening to a different video as this audio sucks... Literally, listen to the sound of the smacking, lip kissin, swalling and at once it can't be ignored. The gerenrral background noise that rises and falls within the initiation does nothing much to distract. Am I unfocused.. Uhmmm maybe!

[@michael_leclezio]

Brillant! Thank you so much sir. This has clarified so much for me. I've been trying to understand Camus's Philosphy for a long time and this is giving the best indication of it I have ever understood. From here we build up. Thank you.

[@arashrostami2717]

BEST youtube channel for me so far

[@diegowooh96]

The best part of this video is the fact this professor is using Fallout 4 references for philosophy topics

[@thewwefan57]

This is a wonderful thing to listen to while drawing, thank you!

[@franciskm4144]

Excellent sir 🎉Iam a Christian, so it is very easy for me to understand your argument. I am a Christian who is accepting absurdity.Not yet died 🙏

[@herbiewalkermusic]

I would argue that life itself absolutely provides answers to those questions. I believe Camus said that the best way to find meaning in life is to find something worth dying for. The people and the things we love. That speaks volumes to me. Once you experience love, spreading it becomes one of the best life purpose.

[@michaeldao1]

This is phenomenal, much appreciated

[@sobeit5582]

i would love to be able to listen to these on spotify as a podcast, really interesting stuff, Eric

[@sumertuncay]

it's really hard not to suicide philosophically. thanks for this amazing lecture.

[@tonyandradealliandro5013]

I've been reading Krishnamurti for a long time, and he mentioned, clarified and explained it in details...using the very reality, ,,, our History ....

[@francescos7361]

Love so much Camus and Eliade. They are both one of my favourites intellectuals of a modern age I think to be more near to modern age as I think then this age .

[@WishChin]

Like others here I ,must thank you for your clear, sensible and non-pretentious way of dealing with these issues. I watch these videos every now and then just to get a grip on life. Thank you very much.

[@ernestscuttle9139]

The first time I read the Myth of S was on a beach in India. My first existential crisis showed up there in my late teens and somehow the Camus essay had stumbled my way in ways that I can no longer remember. 45 years is just long enough to forget some details but the book’s impact changed me significantly and for a good long while. Now that I am older and the crisis has deepened in a way that is natural to aging, I am curious how another reading will impact my shortening life. Thank you for this lecture.

[@philipparker5291]

I enjoyed this lucid explanation. One thing to mention is that atheism is not as strong a claim as you portray it to be. It generally does not entail the claim that 'god does not exist', but rather signifies a lack of a belief in the existence of god, which is more subtle. Furthermore, one can identify as an agnostic atheist, in the sense that the former denotes the recognition of a lack of knowledge about god's existence, whereas the latter refers to a lack of belief only.

[@daverson3834]

Thanks for making this easily understood and available to us all.

[@perrywidhalm114]

Excellent lecture, Eric. Thanks for all your efforts.

[@xhyvieremorales4922]

Camus is one of the philosophers that hooked me on this kind of discourse. I am now an incoming college student in philosophy. Your video is really informative and in-depth video. Will watch more, thank you. ^_^

[@naomicarter354]

My goodness, I love it when I realize correlations and connections between my various interest. “Early in the journey you wonder how long the journey will take and whether you will make it in this lifetime. Later you will see that where you are going is HERE and you will arrive NOW...so you stop asking.” “The cosmic humor is that if you desire to move mountains and you continue to purify yourself, ultimately you will arrive at the place where you are able to move mountains. But in order to arrive at this position of power you will have had to give up being he-who-wanted-to-move-mountains so that you can be he-who-put-the-mountain-there-in-the-first-place. The humor is that finally when you have the power to move the mountain, you are the person who placed it there--so there the mountain stays.” “Cosmic humor, especially about your own predicament, is an important part of your journey.” Y'all, if you vibe with Albert Camus, you all may find interest in Ram Dass. Particularly his book where all these quotes come from, Be Here Now.

[@00luismiguel00]

My respect for you rise another level just for refering Fall Out 4 in the middle of a philisophic lecture! 😎👍

[@DerpGear]

I think accepting the fact that life is absurd and totally out of our control should almost help to ease the anxiety because we release the idea that we can do anything about it.

[@ilqar887]

Can't ?

[@DerpGear]

@@ilqar887 right. We can't. So we release the idea that we can.

[@Theologos_Misantropos]

Good job Eric you made my day, I think the absurd it's part of the life or perhaps the life itself, I don't know, thanks for sharing.

[@crimsonsarge1]

Hey from Alabama. Miss your lectures in class

[@michellemagnus-brown3152]

Love the painting in the background.

[@johnmitchell8925]

You are right on target nicely done that's why most people stay busy it stops them from thinking about reality

[@phillylifer]

Great lecture. Great tangent too. "Buy more stuff and be happier"

[@felicityflynn6480]

This is brilliant. I really needed to hear this today. Thank you so much!

[@S2nnuVEVO]

This was really interesting, thank you! I’ve always considered myself a realist as in I see the world for what it is, whilst everyone around me sees me as a pessimist; I’ve never studied philosophy or frankly even read a book by a philosopher, so I’ve been trying to find a theory which explains how I feel about life. I think I’m on the right track with absurdism! This was a great insight, I will definitely check out Camus’ work! Also - if anyone has any beginner friendly book recommendations for someone interested in absurdism, existentialism, nihilism (and anything else in that “category” - in terms of art I love surrealism and dadaism) then I’d be more than happy to receive them! Thanks again!

[@khubaibmujtaba1478]

Well, you can start with The Stranger by Camus and then read philosophers like Neitzsche, Soren Kierkegaard and Sartre. Moreover, Dostoevsky will also help in psychological issues(Crime and Punishment).

[@m4h41]

thank you for this! i'm trying to explore philosophy more and it really helps to be able to access free lectures like this :)

[@abhaychowdhry7060]

wow sir, i am super super impressed, i wish i could just keep watching your videos in this mystical universe foreverrrrrrr

[@VictorLaszlo46]

I was a practitioner of Camus's worldview before I knew it. I don't know if everyone can live this way, but I have noticed that being born into suffering made this view possible for me. I was born with a condition requiring a liver transplant when I was ten months old, so I started with the premise that life is irrational, unfair, and unjust. When I was fifteen, I had that belief reinforced when I needed a second transplant. From here, I went down many paths of philosophical suicide and then, having done that, rejected them. What I came to independently was this, life is meaningless, and within this truth lies something incredibly liberating. If life is meaningless and devoid of purpose, I cannot possibly get it wrong. What's more, contextualizing my suffering in a narrative of philosophical suicide, I became depressed. If suffering is a byproduct of a diety with a plan, then that is unforgivable, but I can deal with it if it is random.

[@carryonpompei]

Last two minutes of this video are fantastic, thanks

[@kyussbrooker1774]

In my philosophy, I embrace the idea that true self-knowledge is elusive and even absurd to pursue. Instead, I find value in the skill of defining others, recognizing the limitations of their understanding. By accepting the notion that knowing oneself completely is an unanswerable question, I liberate myself from the burden of seeking absolute understanding and the stress caused by others' thoughts. My focus is on maximizing the quality of life, emphasizing the present moment and meaningful actions. I believe that reflection on our actions often leads to the erosion of meaning, so I prioritize engaging in actions without overthinking them. By avoiding the unnecessary suffering caused by unanswered questions and lingering emotions, I find a path to a more fulfilling existence. In relation to Albert Camus' philosophy, my perspective shares similarities with his recognition of the absurdity of human existence and the limitations of our understanding. However, I expand upon his ideas by emphasizing the practicality of defining others as a way to gain insight into the world we live in. This understanding allows me to navigate life's complexities and reduce the influence of others' thoughts on my well-being. Ultimately, my philosophy offers a new approach to the problem of meaning by focusing on the acceptance of uncertainty, the importance of action, and the recognition of the limitations of self-knowledge. It provides a path to a more fulfilling and less burdensome life, where personal growth and engagement in the present moment take precedence over the unanswerable questions that can cause unnecessary suffering.

[@alexobed4252]

Dodson!!!! I just re-read The Fall today!

[@EricDodsonLectures]

Ha ha... Alex Obed! It's great to hear your figurative voice! Yeah... I was toying with the idea of doing a compare and contrast analysis of The Fall and The Stranger, which I think are illustrations of complementary ways of moving through life, especially with respect to the theme of hierarchical, moral judgmentalism. Anyhow, I hope that you're well and thriving, wherever in this world you may be. I'm still here in Carrollton (although retired now).

[@zaneheyl7743]

Thank you for this remarkably presented lecture. I personally find your lectures to be profoundly much more than meaningful. Your method of explanation clearly displays your deeply invested interest in the topic. I leaned a lot from this. I just finished the Myth of Sisyphus, and it wasn't easy to finish. Not due to its commonly perceived "grim" (perhaps) nature - I found this comforting indeed - but because it truly was heavy reading. I sincerely look forward to watching all your videos.

[@AngelaRodhas]

Totalmente de acuerdo, leyendo a Nietzsche incorporé el sufrimiento como parte de la vida misma y empecé a ver las cosas de otra manera, ahora leyendo a Camus y a Sartre puedo redondear la idea. Si nunca nos enseñaran religión, el hombre se haría cargo de su vida desde temprana edad y tendría la oportunidad de ser feliz sin esperar milagros que no existen y sin el temor a los famosos castigos divinos. Ciertamente estos tres filósofos y de seguro otros que no he leído, trabajaron de una forma brillante este complejo tema.

[@cathalkeenan8]

Just read " L'Etranger", en francais! One point- The reverend claims that everyone believes or "must believe" in God and if Meursmault didn't, he would collapse without this external meaning. He is shocked by Mrsault's indifference. Is the absurdism a variation of nietzsches self made values? A way of living independently, but perhaps more realistic? In that case, perhaps Mmersault is the Absurd Man Camus refers to, in a fictional setting?

[@EricDodsonLectures]

I think that Meursault is exactly an illustration of what the Absurd Man would look like. In fact, at one point, Camus even calls Meursault, "The hero of the absurd." On the other end of the spectrum would be Clamence from The Fall. With respect to values... I'd say that Meursault is someone who refuses to play the game of values in the first place -- and especially values that require some sort of judgment (which they almost all do). That's why he rejects the priest at the end... it's not just a rejection of a specifically Christian worldview, but a rejection of all of the elements of judgment that constitute that worldview in the first place. At least that's how I interpret it.

[@sumeetj3628]

I'm thankful for making video, I recently discovered your channel

[@robertengland8769]

Having become aware of the absurdity of existence, maybe thats why I suffer from suicide ideation. Life is still worth living. I revolt against the absurdity.

[@Dallycat]

You put it down so well I can’t think of a better explanation.

[@Wardoon]

I listened to the audio version of Caamus' book (essay). I understood most of but your commentary on it makes it even clearer. Thanks for this. I just discovered your channel and subscribed it. Will try and watch some of your videos.

[@johndawson680]

Where did you get an audio version from? I can't find one anywhere.

[@Iclay905]

I really enjoyed the video, I do have a question though, how does this philosophy actually help a person make their way through the world. when you enter a truly difficult situation wouldn't physical suicide re-emerge as the most logical answer to the individuals problem? Without the lies of a previous philosophical suicide how does the individual navigate a situation when they really have nothing to hold onto?

[@EricDodsonLectures]

Well, those are some great questions, Isaac. First, how does Camus's philosophy help us make our way through the world? Well, I'd say that there are two basic ways of making our way through the world. One has to do with trying to stay as safe and comfortable as possible. From that point of view, Camus's philosophy doesn't do much to make things easier. That's because it tends to separate us from our comforting illusions, rather than to bolster them. However, the other way of moving through life has to do with seeking out the *real* as faithfully as possible. From that point of view, our lives become worthwhile, and we ourselves become strong... in direct proportion to how much of reality we can take in. People of that persuasion aren't so interested in comforting illusions because they know that they exert a debilitating influence over us, and ultimately over our lives themselves. So, one answer to your first question would be: Insofar as Camus's philosophy brings us into closer contact with reality, it makes us *stronger* rather than weaker, because our power in this life comes from our ability to confront what's real, and to adapt ourselves harmoniously to it... even if that also makes life somewhat more uncomfortable. In other words... do our illusions really make us stronger? Or do they just make us more comfortable with our weakness? Hmm... I'll skip to your last question because the second one seems a lot like the first. Okay, so how does this way of seeing life give us something we can hold onto when nothing else will? Yes, most of us experience dark nights of the soul now and then. And they're definitely trying experiences. And what makes them so difficult is that they usually involve feeling like our usual resources and strategies have failed, or are irrelevant. But here again, I'd say that Camus gives us something to cleave to, even then. And it's basically our integrity, even in the midst of all of our pain. And in the end, at least for some of us, our integrity can be a source of great solace in this life, especially when you consider the fact that pretty much everything else is basically a flimsy sham. However, the other thing that this sort of philosophy can help us with is... cultivating the ability to wait (you can see that in the comparison to Sisyphus). And sometimes during our darkest nights of the soul, the ones where even our integrity is dubious... all we really have is our ability to wait for a more favorable wind to fill our sails. Well, that's probably enough (or too much) for now. In any case, thanks for the thoughtful question. Gratitude. Eric D.

[@mirror1001]

My man really whipped out the Fallout reference, hell yeah. Love this

[@MichaelRobertson-i8f]

Being a 74 year old Male I began reading the works of Carl Jung when I was 19 years old. I had collected Books of Enoch, DH Lawrence Psychoanalysis and the Unconscious/ Fantasia of the Unconscious, Herman Hesse and Magister Ludi, CG Jung and The Undiscovered Self, Antony Sutton and his America’s Secret Establishment, William Guy Carr, RD and his Satan Prince of this World, Jack London and The Star Rover, there are other Books I could recommend if anyone is interested. Thank You for Taking the Time to Read what I’ve written.

[@Fireneedsair]

The amazing 1933 essay “the last messiah” by Peter wessel zapffe is a necessary read for those of the existentialist bent. Deeply thought provoking

[@soumyasingh6923]

this is so informative and simple to understand, thank you Sir.

[@NPCtje]

I liked how you came with examples. It made it easier to get a good view on how to use this philosphical way of thinking in my own 'real' life. Great video

[@KevinLin1988]

This is a great analysis. I read The Myth of Sisyphus (the book, not the essay) in my late 20s but took a few more years of mulling on it began to understand. The video can help skip you a few years of being lost in some his words!

[@littlerooky]

can you upload content again? I love your lecture. And i sad you don't update content again.

[@Wardoon]

27:08 I don't know if all atheists agree with that definition of atheism as being "the contention that God does not exist". To most atheists atheism is the contention that there is no evidence for existence of God.

[@sukhpreetriyat8505]

Athiests dont believe a god exists, your thinking of agnosticism, where they accept that there is no evidence for or against the existence of a god and remain open minded about the possibility. Athiests deny that possibility

[@Wardoon]

@@sukhpreetriyat8505 I think you also forget the possibility of impossibility of God's existence. I also think that technically agnostics are atheists since they don't positively believe in the existence of a diety.

[@willd6215]

@@Wardoon I'm definitely with you on this. Atheism describes a belief and agnosticism describes a position of knowledge. So you have to be either theist or atheist AND agnostic or gnostic. Ie. Agnostic atheist or gnostic theist. Agnostic atheist would be the label of the absurd man for sure

[@ZAZ069]

Your explanation is very very clear, plus I like your conclusion on the appealing part of Albert Camus' ideas, mystery is what makes life interesting and poetic to me.

[@ZAZ069]

Ok 2 years later I come back to this video now that I've started reading the book. To me it can be a bit of a philosophical suicide to be amazed by the mysterious nature of life, by doing so u're killing the absurd because the nature of human's reason is to crave for explanations, not be amazed by something that it can't explain but more like be frustrated by sort of thing. I might dont have the full view on that yet didnt finish the book already. Kinda talking to nobody but writing it make it clearer in my head. The reason why someone should be an Absurd man is to be loyal to its intellect, by experiencing the absurd regularly, u get awakened to reflect regularly on these questions and u can get to the farest point of knowledge possible for a man which can be one's goal.

[@dalecrowley8625]

This philosophy is not puzzling at all it takes great integrity to see and admit that life has no meaning outher then what we give it this is actually very freeing

[@DJBenjoyer]

Thank you for putting this video on youtube

[@lilithyus128]

I'm having a hard time reading The Myth of Sisyphus because English is not my first language. I hope I can get a better understanding through your discussion :)

[@AlienTrees]

Camus was French-Algerian. Isn't there a translation in your native language?

[@lilithyus128]

@@AlienTrees we only have the English translation.

[@AlienTrees]

@@lilithyus128 Well then, I admire your tenacity for reading philosophy in a language other than your own.

[@carriemusic880]

There is no riddle to life. life is to be lived.

[@jjmendez007]

Thank you for your lucid presentation. I've become more clear on my reading and internal dialogue with "The Rebel"...