Research
Camus and Levinas: Embracing the Absurd While Finding Meaning
Author:
Susana Camacho Plascencia
Central Washington University, US
Abstract
Albert Camus’ idea of the absurd lands one in nihilism and the danger of rationally justified suicide. His attempt to solve this problem fails because it requires that one make an arbitrary choice to live without having good reasons to do so. By using Levinas’ ethics of an infinite responsibility and distinguishing between two types of meaning (cosmic and terrestrial), I propose that one can accept the condition of the absurd—where no cosmic meaning exists—and escape the problem of suicide by finding terrestrial meaning in our relations to others
How to Cite:
Plascencia, S.C., 2018. Camus and Levinas: Embracing the Absurd While Finding Meaning. International Journal of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activities, 10(2), p.5. DOI: http://doi.org/10.7710/2155-4838.1176
Published on
07 Jun 2018.
Peer Reviewed
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