Albert Camus: The Madness of Decency

In this video essay I am exploring the work of the French writer and philosopher Albert Camus through the movie Far From Men, which is based on one of his short stories called the Guest.

Footage from:
- Far From Men (2014)
- Schindler’s List (1993)
- Algerian War of Independence 1954-1962 (Cold War Documentary)
- Hitler über Berlin: Der Aufstieg des Nationalsozialismus von der Weimarer Republik bis 1939

Music from:
- Hostiles Soundtrack: Appeasing The Chief
- Hostiles Soundtrack: The Lord’s Rough Ways
- Chasing Dreams: Home
- Tony Anderson: Butterflies

[mtrude]

As an Algerian. I love how you described the wars that we. The world had to go through. I hope the right audience find this and you get your well deserved recognition.

[MykalMalloy]

An automotan tightly bound up in the chain of command. WOW.. Those words are so strong and so relevant in our world.

[stevenstewart]

For me, this was monumental. It expressed what I have always known deep inside... even though it had never fully flooded my conscious mind.

[MrUndersolo]

I have read his Algerian writings, and I admire the man even more than I thought possible. Thank you for this!

[hihy]

I loved every second of it. I once read the Stranger and this convinced me to buy the Plaque. Camus and his absurdism is absolutely fascinating.

[shortminute]

Well Done, thank you. You've made me want to read Camus again.

[martinaseidel]

thank you for reminding me that camus is from algeria. i find it so interesting how that seems to get forgotten in discussions of him.
also, thank you for introducing me to this movie which i'd never heard of! shame really.

at first i thought your title was meant to be ironic in some way and i hoped that decency wasn't going to be dismissed so i'm glad i stayed. but also it reminds me of a school of life video about politeness, for some reason, something about not needing to know all the ins and out of a situation but to treat other people with dignity and respect.

[corrupt]

Excellent video, have liked & subbed, look forward to more, thank you.

[StrangeLoops]

Wow, beautiful story and well told. Very happy this was recommended to me.

[raxneff]

Less than 90 views? This video is clearly underrated by the YT recommendation algorithm.

[AlokAsthana]

Yes, decency is the start point, the only start point possible, of everything good.

[tavenstrickert]

I saw Camus and was immediately interested. It was the subtitle though. That really got me fascinated because I love the word decency. I think it's the most practical thing a person can be if they're trying to make the world a better place is just decent and how absolutely impractical that can seem to so many others when they see it happen.

[Peter-kyuh]

Great video! Was not aware of this side of Albert Camus. Will check out the speech you mentioned!

[OneWhoWanders]

Movie Name: Far From Men (2014) starring Viggo Mortensen

[michaelepp]

Great work. I've subscribed and will watch your other videos when I'm free

[intellectually_lazy]

if anyone ever remembers one comment i post, let it be this: every atrocity begins with dehumanization

[Hoots_Maguire]

Though I disagree with your conclusions on ideology - in fact real socialism as practised in worker collectives is deeply liberating and empowering to the individual - I think your praise of Camus is well-deserved. If he'd lived longer, he no doubt would have joined with Frantz Fanon, another victim of cancer at a young age.

[aspektx]

Fascism, Fundamentalism, Stalinism are good examples of ideological totalism.

I wish the system of Capitalism had also been included in that list.

In my country this system is for practical purposes a god.

The "hand of the market" is spoken of as sacrosanct, that it will work everything out economically and by extension all of life's problems.

Perhaps it's that way only here in the US. But it can be frightening.

Thank you for this video. I hope more hear it.

[Ai-hedp]

The psychology of hate, has become a science to those it benefits.

[castelodeossos]

'The same dynamic that tore the whole of Europe apart was replaying itself during' (8:39) the establishment and perpetuation of the State of Israel. (Not mentioned by the narrator, although whoever wrote the subtitles slipped in 'Eretz Israel' at 7:14.)