Café existentiel

Albert Camus' existential philosophy has had a lasting influence on the philosophical discourse of the 20th century. One of his most famous concepts, "philosophical suicide," reflects on life's absurdity. Yet Camus offered another option, encouraging us to challenge this absurdity by embracing life and living meaningfully. In this article, I examine Camus' "philosophical suicide" through postcolonial lens. Postcolonialism is an approach to studying historical, cultural, and political aspects of human interactions that emerged out of colonialism around the world. It serves as a lens for reflecting on contemporary society's dynamics in relation to its colonial past, revealing how power dynamics, history, and identity still shape our world today. Camus wrote in his essay "The Myth of Sisyphus" that there is only one truly serious philosophical question: whether life is worth living. Answering this fundamental question in philosophy

The relationship between Albert Camus and Jean-Paul Sartre clearly illustrates how personal experiences and philosophical views often overlap. Although initially close friends, Camus and Sartre became estranged due to differences in their views and personal grievances. Their split serves as a reminder that our personal lives can shape our philosophical perspectives in unexpected ways and vice versa. One of the primary reasons for their eventual separation was philosophical disagreement. Camus, an ardent individualist, disagreed with Sartre's Marxist views and felt they didn't accurately capture human experience. On the other hand, Sartre criticized Camus' alleged individualism and thought his focus on individual freedom distracted from more pressing social and political struggles of their time. These philosophical disagreements put a strain on their friendship which eventually lead to its final rupture. But personal grievances also played a significant role in t

Existentialism is a philosophy that emphasizes individual freedom and responsibility, along with the search for meaning in an increasingly chaotic world. One cornerstone of existentialism lies in its rejection of traditional religious beliefs and the concept of an afterlife. This rejection of God and death is central to understanding human experience and our place within society. Existentialism emerged in the wake of World War II, a period marked by great upheaval and uncertainty. Many turned to traditional religious beliefs for solace and guidance during this turbulent time; however, others believed religion no longer provided meaning and purpose in a world deeply damaged by conflict and suffering. Existentialism stands apart from traditional religious beliefs in its rejection of the concept of an afterlife. Existentialists maintain there is no evidence for an afterlife or any all-knowing deity controlling human life; rather, they assert that humans are fundamentally alone

Existentialism is a philosophical movement that emphasizes individual freedom and choice, as well as the significance of creating one's own meaning and values. Heideggerian authenticity is often linked with existentialism; it suggests individuals should stay true to themselves and their values rather than conforming to social norms or expectations. In this article, we'll look at how existentialism aligns with Heideggerian authenticity by freeing us from public life's normative comforts and stability and leaving us alone to choose and create our own meaningful values against nothingness. One of the fundamental concepts in existentialism is that humans are fundamentally alone in the world. This doesn't refer to physical isolation, but rather that each of us must create our own sense of meaning and purpose for ourselves. Existentialists maintain there is no preordained purpose or meaning for human life; rather, individuals must create these for themselves as th

Franz Kafka's The Castle is a classic work of literature that provides a powerful critique of bureaucratic systems and their impact on individuals. The novel follows the story of K., a land surveyor who has been summoned to work at a castle in a small town. However, despite K.'s best efforts, he is never able to gain entry to the castle and is constantly thwarted by the complex bureaucratic systems that govern the land. While Kafka wrote The Castle in the early 20th century, the novel can be seen as a critique of Nazi bureaucracy and its impact on both individual lives and society as a whole. The Nazis rose to power in part by exploiting bureaucratic structures and using them to carry out their agenda. This article will explore the ways in which The Castle can be seen as a warning against the dangers of authoritarian bureaucratic regimes like the Nazi regime. One of the most striking elements of The Castle is the surreal and oppressive atmosphere it creates. Fro

Albert Camus' The Stranger is widely considered a classic work of existentialist philosophy. It explores themes such as existentialism, nihilism and the absurdity of life. This article will focus on the absurd elements present in Camus' novel and discuss its relevance to existentialist thought. The Stranger is narrated by Meursault, a man who seemingly lacks emotion and seems indifferent to the world around him. At the start of the novel, his mother passes away at the beginning and he attends her funeral without showing any sadness or grief. As events progress throughout the narrative however, Meursault becomes embroiled in events which ultimately lead him to commit murder and be sentenced to death. One of the most famous and striking aspects of The Stranger is Meursault's indifference towards life. He sees it as meaningless and absurd, questioning why humans exist at all. One example is his lack of emotion when his mother died - "Mother died today. Or may