The Myth of Sisyphus | Albert Camus

The Myth of Sisyphus is a philosophical essay by Albert Camus and is considered as one of the most popular existentialist works of the 20th century. It gave rise to the philosophy of Absurdism, sharing some concepts with Existentialism and Nihilism.

The fundamental concern of the book is the notion of the Absurd, which is best described as “the conflict between the human tendency to seek inherent value and meaning in life, and the human inability to find any in a purposeless, meaningless, and irrational universe.”

Camus draws from the absurd three consequences: revolt (we must not accept any answer or reconciliation in our struggle), freedom (we are absolutely free to think and behave as we choose), and passion (we must pursue a life of rich and diverse experiences).

The Myth of Sisyphus explores the value of life in a world devoid of religious meaning. His work can be seen as a reply to Dostoevsky and Kierkegaard.

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📘 The Book

▶ The Myth of Sisyphus (1942)

📚 Other Recommended Reading (High Quality and Best Translations)

▶ The Stranger (1942)
▶ The Plague (1947)
▶ The Rebel (1951)
▶ The Fall (1956)
▶ A Happy Death (1971)
▶ The First Man (1994)

🎧 Prefer Audiobooks? Get a 30-day Audible Plus FREE trial:

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⌛ Timestamps

0:00 The Absurd
2:43 The Problem of Suicide
5:30 Revolt
6:52 The Absurdity of Existence & The Myth of Sisyphus

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📝 Sources

- The Myth of Sisyphus (Penguin Modern Classics). Justin O'Brien (Translator)

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🎶 Music used

1. Thunderbird – Kevin MacLeod
2. Water Prelude – Kevin MacLeod
3. Anguish – Kevin MacLeod

Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

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#camus #sisyphus #absurdism

[Eternalised]

*“There is but one truly serious philosophical problem and that is suicide. Judging whether life is or is not worth living amounts to answering the fundamental question of philosophy.”* — Camus

[thyself]

Just finished this book. Absolutely profound. I read a lot of philosophy but something about this book is special. The sheer positivity seeping out of a seemingly morbid philosophy is unreal.

[neversee]

I would always appreciate the fact that “The Myth of Sisyphus” was my gateway to philosophy. Thank you for this amazing summary!

[anotheryou]

The plight of Sisyphus is a metaphor for circumstances we are powerless to control or change. Sisyphus is a metaphor for you and me. We tend to deem such situations as absurd because we cannot face our powerlessness. It is too terrifying. We may not be able to change the outer. That doesn't mean we can't change how we feel about it. Circumstances can crush anyone who looks to them for "meaning", or to feel okay. IMO This magnificent essay showed me the goal: we must obtain everything we need from within, and when we do, it cannot ever be taken away by any circumstance. Over fifty years after first reading this work, I am only ever more grateful to Mr Camus for having changed my life forever.

[chrishamel]

I'm a smoothbrain who really struggled to grasp what Camus was talking about in Sisyphus. This video helped clear up a lot of the issues I was having, thank you.

Now I'm going to go reread it

[mlgfin]

“One must imagine Sisyphus happy.” always gets me. 🥲

[lordawesometony]

Just found out who Camu was. It was pretty cool that he thinks similarly to myself, and it was surprising on the correlation of what he believed and something I wrote a while back after going through some difficult stages of growth. I’ll put it below if anyone is interested.

In the midst of a windy day, there danced a cloud of dust. It was so spontaneous, as if the wind summoned a dancing spirit, and as if it were to give the wind some meaning. Twirling infinitely in circles, it danced with the wind, and then the gathering of dust began to think. It wondered why it spun so furiously, and why no one ever told it why it began to do so in the first place. Nevertheless, there must have been a reason why it had awaken in the first place in this spinning state, so it continued to let its particles flow rapidly with the wind. The cloud of dust then noticed that from its friction with the surrounding dirt, it began to sing. “What lovely sounds, ” the cloud of dust thought, “I must have been made to sing like this.” And so it sang, becoming bigger as each melody invited more earth particles to join its choir.

It wasn’t long until it wondered even further, and it questioned the meaning to it all. “Who may I be singing to?” it asked, but no one would ever answer its continuous questioning. The cloud of dust, who dance furiously, demanded answers. It would rebel against its own nature and quit the forceful spinning if no one answered. As much as the cloud of dust tried, it couldn’t stop. None of it was its decision, not even if it were to will it. The dust cloud cursed the surrounding forces that pushed its particles. “Stop!” It said, “I did not choose to move!” But no consolation would fall into the cloud’s understanding. As time went by, the dust cloud began to give up hope. No happiness ran through its sandy veins, and the once singing tune became monotonous. “I have no meaning, ” it declared, “life is but the spontaneous awakening of the spirit without answers to be found.” The wind finally gave out, and the cloud that once danced and sang gave out with it. No further than a mile from where it began, no longer than an hour from its birth, it stood there in pieces indistinguishable from the other clumps of dirt on which it died. Soon enough the wind began to blow again, and it picked up a clump of dust that rested loosely on the surface. It was so spontaneous, as if the wind summoned a dancing spirit, and as if it were to give the wind some meaning.

[InfinitiSin]

And here comes the absurdity of life.

You are killing it with these 10 min summaries bruh.

[RayVitoles]

Philosophy is such a fun experience for me that tears me up because i can always relate to it.I wish I was mature enough to have read about Absurdism and Stoicism when I was a kid.But its never too late to begin thinking and living.I want to read more of what those brilliant men of the past thought. Meditations of Aurelius is my next book

[enbilerfrainitiald]

You make philosophy fun, I think that's needed today.

[Dacademeca]

The myth of sysiphus is definently very interesting. Man these videos are making me feel like I'm missing out! I need to read these awsome books! Great video by the way!! :)

[TheASSASSIN]

Great narration, loved the video. I was a little anxious to watch the video as I'm stuck with myth of Sisyphus for quite some time and thought a video about it could put me off the book but after watching this, I'm even more motivated to continue it.

[Sunflowrrunner]

A few months ago, I first experienced the profound, and sudden realization of the mathematical fact that I will die relatively soon. Not just like, "Yeah, I'm mortal." But like a visceral understanding that that the sand is rapidly falling and I can not stop it and that at absolute best I have but a short 70 years left. I will soon have to face the unknowable. I have been wrestling with the absurd ever since.

[Barushia]

I love your videos mate! The myth of sysiphus and the philosophy of camus was one of the things that got me through my own suicidal battle. And your videos was a part of the learning process!

[gud]

Connecting with the joy of looking at absurd things. This will make you fall in love with life. The absurdity of when I walk out of my house, I look at trees, cars, the sun, the clouds, the desert, where I live. Even my own body. When I look at my own body I just get joy out of looking at the absurdity of my own body. My body is a work of art. I can connect with that um. Just that alone is enough to create an amazingly fulfilling life.

[christianjimbomb]

It's weird how I came about reading this when I was alone.. so glad I was loved. This man knows not that it exists.
My Lord gave me a light burden. I am satisfied. I will follow the path home. Shalom.

[caroline]

Drunk on a friday night and found this channel. I have content for days now thank you for all of all your effort <3

[jayabyss]

You've inspired me to finally read philosophy! :)

[Davlavi]

This channel deserves way more viewers. Keep up the great videos.

[rudibasabasi]

the day will come for this channel to has million of subscribers. it will.