‎Philosophize This!: Episode #087 ... Sartre and Camus pt. 2 on Apple Podcasts

There is only one really serious philosophical question, and that is suicide.

Is there any purpose to life, or are we living the life of Sisyphus? Camus argues that life has no purpose, for all life will end, the Sun will go out, the universe and our lives have no meaning.

This seems like an absurdity, but, to quote Camus, “man stands face to face with the irrational.”

The problem of existence from Camus’ perspective doesn’t lie in the fact of being alive, but rather in the disparity between your expectations of the purpose of life (its true meaning) and the fact that the universe doesn’t really have a meaning at all.

Instead of removing yourself physically from the world (physical suicide), in the eyes of Camus you can instead choose to divert your attention towards a fictional world which evades the lack of meaning, which is no longer subject to this absurdity. This new world can offer a sense of certainty.

An example of such a world is religion.

Instead of running from the problem of the lack of meaning, embrace the problem. Facing your existence shows bravery, making that who faces his or her reality a hero.

Enjoy the sensory experience we’re given, enjoy the little things in life - your family, your food, the smell of flowers.