Introduction:
Thesis: Camus has borrowed philosophical ideas from other writers which has influenced his interpretation for the existence of an individual mostly described within his works with The Myth of Sisyphus as well as his other well known novels.
Prominent in Europe in the 19th and 20th century
Existentialism is defined by the slogan Existence precedes Essence. This means:
We have no predetermined nature or essence that controls what we are, what we do, or what is valuable for us.
We are radically free to act independently of determination by outside influences.
We create our own human nature through these free choices.
We also create our values through these choices.
Paragraph 1:
Transition statement: These prominent ideas have been analyzed in various texts to specifically justify a philosopher’s interpretation for the life of an individual. This particular theme can be seen Through the comparison between Myth of sisyphus and Dostovesky’s works.
Though they both believe in the existence of an individual that the society rejects and that is the existentialist, there are many other instances which makes these two philosophers unique from one another.
The Possessed (sometimes translated as The Devils). KIRILOV
Camus says that this suicide, however, is not an act of despair, but a creative act in which Kirilov hopes, in a sense, to "become God."
His suicide is essentially an attempt to sacrifice himself and to show the world the absurd freedom that we all have, so that those that follow him might be able to live more freely.
Though Dostoevsky wrestled with absurd themes, he ultimately placed his faith in God. In this sense, Camus concludes, he is more of an existentialist than an absurdist.
Camus was able to justify his thinking of suicide and his strong held belief in a life without a god.