Camus: Absurdity, Rebellion, and the Search for Meaning

I first encountered Albert Camus at the age of 14 when I read The Stranger. At that time, I didn’t fully grasp the philosophical underpinnings of the novel, but the stark simplicity of Meursault, the protagonist, resonated with me. His indifference to societal norms felt like an act of rebellion. Camus’ portrayal of Meursault as someone detached from conventional emotions, yet there was a quiet strength in his refusal to conform to the world’s expectations, which sparked an intuitive connection, even before I understood Camus’ exploration of the absurd — the idea that life inherently lacks meaning, and yet we must find or create meaning for ourselves. This was my first glimpse into Camus’ exploration of the absurd — the realisation that life, without any inherent meaning, demands that we create our own. At 14, this was a challenging yet liberating concept, one that I would return to throughout my life.

As a teenager, I had already started questioning societal expectations. Meursault’s rejection of the idea that life must have a grand purpose mirrored my own rebellion against the conventional, but I had no words for it yet. Camus’ work was my first glimpse into this radical thinking, and though I lacked the philosophical language at the time, the act of living without pretending to adhere to life’s prescribed rules felt liberating. Camus had, in a way, given a voice to feelings I hadn’t yet fully understood. My initial read was just about finishing the book — I didn’t know much about philosophy, but the fact that Meursault didn’t seem to care about anything was enough to intrigue me. "This guy’s living my teenage dream," I thought. He didn’t worry about social norms, conventions, or even the meaning of life. He was simply... indifferent. I didn’t understand Camus’ philosophical depth at the time, but I knew there was something powerful in that indifference. Over the years, as I revisited Camus, I started grappling with his deeper themes of absurdism, revolt, and the search for meaning — ideas that continue to shape my perspective on life.

Albert Camus photographed by Henri Cartier-Bresson in Paris, France (1944)

The Absurd: Life is Meaningless, and That's Okay

At the heart of Camus’ philosophy is the concept of absurdism, which he outlines in The Myth of Sisyphus. According to Camus, life is inherently meaningless. There is no grand purpose to our existence, no cosmic reason for suffering or joy. The universe is indifferent to human life, and this realisation confronts us with an existential paradox: we long for meaning and order, yet the universe offers neither. This dissonance is what Camus calls "the absurd." Unlike some philosophers who sought to find meaning through religion or metaphysical frameworks, Camus took the radical stance that life itself is inherently absurd. This absurdity arises from the tension between our search for meaning and a universe that offers none.

For Camus, the recognition of the absurd doesn’t lead to despair or nihilism, but to freedom. The absurd man, like Meursault, recognises that life has no objective meaning but refuses to surrender to hopelessness. Instead, he lives with full awareness of the absurd and embraces the rebellion against it. This is where the “revolt” comes in: Camus believes that, despite the absurd, we can and should continue to live fully. It’s almost as if Camus is giving us permission to stop taking life so seriously and simply live it, with all its contradictions, pain, and beauty.

In fact, this is one of the reasons I enjoy Camus so much. His philosophy is one of existential freedom, where we create our own meaning in a universe that won’t hand it to us on a silver platter. At 14, I didn’t fully grasp the implications of this, but the idea of creating your own meaning in a seemingly indifferent universe was a refreshing way to look at life.

I find it profoundly liberating to consider Camus’ view of absurdism — it’s like being given permission to throw out all the existential baggage. No more searching for some ultimate cosmic plan. Instead, you embrace the absurd and live fully, without the need for a higher meaning. That’s not to say it’s easy, of course. It’s daunting to acknowledge that life has no inherent meaning, especially when our culture encourages us to find purpose in everything. But Camus believed that this acknowledgement was the first step in truly living. By accepting the absurdity of life, we shed the weight of false hopes and expectations. We are free to live without the pressure of finding the “right” path to a transcendent goal.

The Absurd: Confronting Meaninglessness

At the core of Camus' philosophy lies the concept of the absurd. The absurd, as Camus explains, arises from the human desire to find meaning and purpose in life, only to realise that the universe offers no such clarity. It is the recognition that there is a profound disconnect between the human need for meaning and the indifferent universe that surrounds us. This is where the absurd becomes an existential dilemma: the more we search for meaning, the more we come up empty-handed. Camus explores this paradox most thoroughly in The Myth of Sisyphus, where he uses the image of Sisyphus endlessly rolling a boulder up a hill, only for it to roll back down each time.

Now, at first glance, this might sound a bit like the universe is playing a cosmic joke on us — and let's face it, it’s a bit of a “you had one job” moment for the gods. But for Camus, the absurd is not something to shy away from; it’s something to face head-on. For many, the absurd leads to despair or nihilism. The realisation that life has no inherent meaning can seem overwhelming and unsettling. However, Camus' response to the absurd is not one of surrender but of revolt. In The Myth of Sisyphus, Camus argues that we must imagine Sisyphus happy as he defies his eternal punishment. It is in this rebellion against the absurd, in continuing to live with full awareness of life's meaninglessness, that Camus finds meaning. He suggests that the act of revolt is itself a source of meaning, a defiant refusal to submit to the despair that the absurd presents.

The Myth of Sisyphus and the Absurd Hero

One of the most famous symbols of Camus' absurd philosophy is the figure of Sisyphus. In the ancient Greek myth, Sisyphus is condemned to roll a boulder up a hill, only for it to roll back down every time he reaches the top. Camus uses this image as a metaphor for the human condition — the constant struggle in a world that offers no final victory. But instead of seeing this as a tragic fate, Camus imagines that Sisyphus, in his eternal struggle, can achieve a kind of happiness.

Camus argues that, while the boulder will never stay at the top, Sisyphus is fully aware of his fate and finds contentment in the struggle itself. Camus writes, “One must imagine Sisyphus happy.” It’s not about reaching the summit, it's about the act of rolling the boulder and embracing the absurdity of it all. This idea echoes throughout Camus’ work and offers a valuable lesson: even in the face of an absurd universe, we can find joy and purpose in the struggle itself, as long as we are fully present.

In Camus' worldview, the absurd hero is not someone who seeks escape or answers from the absurd but rather someone who confronts it head-on. This confrontation, rather than leading to nihilism or despair, is a source of strength. The absurd hero, like Sisyphus, continues to act and live in the face of meaninglessness. It is through this persistent engagement with life that one creates meaning — not through grand ideals or external validation but through the simple act of living with dignity and rebellion.

What makes the concept of the absurd hero so compelling is the radical freedom it offers. By acknowledging the lack of inherent meaning in the universe, we are liberated from the constraints of imposed meaning. Life’s meaning is not something we passively accept from outside sources, but something we actively create for ourselves through our choices and actions. This understanding of freedom is empowering. It suggests that even though the world may not have a grand design or ultimate purpose, there is value in engaging with it authentically. In this sense, Camus encourages us to rebel against the apathy of a meaningless universe by embracing life with vigour and defiance.

This absurd hero's revolt against the universe is empowering. There’s a certain dignity in accepting our fate and continuing to push forward anyway, making the best of what we have. Camus doesn't advocate for resignation; rather, he encourages us to live with full awareness of our limitations and still strive for joy, connection, and meaning, however fleeting they may be.

The Relevance of Revolt: A Personal Reflection

Albert Camus photographed by Henri Cartier-Bresson (1957)

Revolt, in Camus’ terms, does not mean mindless rebellion or nihilism; it is about finding purpose in the very act of living. The concept of revolt has taken on deeper meaning for me as I’ve gotten older. What struck me at 14 as an act of rebellion against societal norms has evolved into a philosophy of resilience. As I got older, I often find myself reflecting on the absurdity of modern life — the ceaseless rush, the endless pursuit of career, wealth, and success — all of which seem, at times, disconnected from what truly matters. In such moments, Camus’ notion of revolt offers a sort of grounding force.

For instance, in times of personal struggle or existential questioning, I turn to Camus' assertion that it is in our refusal to give in to despair that we find meaning. When confronted with a world that seems indifferent to our struggles, Camus’ message is clear: revolt against the absurd by continuing to engage with life, to seek joy and purpose even if those things are fleeting or impermanent. The act of rebellion becomes not just an intellectual exercise but a lived experience. This is the beauty of Camus' philosophy: it invites you to live authentically, despite the odds, and without the expectation that any part of your existence will ever fully “make sense.”

The Rebel and Resistance to Injustice

In The Rebel, Camus extends his ideas about the absurd, applying them to the human experience of rebellion against oppression. Here, Camus argues that the absurd man must not only accept the meaninglessness of existence but also recognise the absurdity in the systems of power that govern human lives. Camus critiques both fascism and communism, illustrating how both ideologies, while promising to provide answers, ultimately lead to systems of oppression. Furthermore, he critiques ideologies that promise absolute truth or ultimate meaning, pointing out the dangers of systems that justify violence and oppression in the name of some higher cause. For Camus, the revolt against the absurd extends into the struggle for justice, particularly the defence of human dignity and freedom. His philosophy thus offers a framework for resisting oppressive systems without succumbing to the totalitarian temptation to impose meaning or morality onto others. In Camus' vision, the individual’s rebellion against the absurd becomes a call to uphold human dignity, to rebel not just against the meaninglessness of the universe but also against unjust structures in society.

While Camus’ philosophy focuses on the individual’s confrontation with the absurd, it also offers valuable insights into broader social issues, including justice and the human condition. Camus himself was deeply involved in political causes, most notably in his resistance to both fascism and communism. His notion of revolt extended beyond personal existential concerns and into the realm of social justice.

For Camus, rebellion is not about violence or overthrowing the existing order for the sake of power, but about standing against oppression and injustice with dignity. The absurd rebel, according to Camus, is one who resists not by fighting for an idealised utopia, but by fighting against cruelty, injustice, and the suffering that pervades the human condition. The absurd rebel does not expect to find ultimate meaning in their rebellion but engages in the struggle because they cannot accept the cruelty of the world as it is.

This resonates with me deeply, particularly when I think about movements for social justice today. The fight against inequality, racism, and systemic injustice often feels like an uphill battle. And yet, in Camus' view, it’s in that very struggle — in the ongoing, seemingly pointless battle against systems that perpetuate suffering — that we find meaning. It’s about resistance for resistance’s sake, not because we expect to change everything, but because the act of resistance itself affirms human dignity.

Camus and the Absurd in the Modern World

Camus' philosophy challenges us to think about how we live in a world that doesn’t offer easy answers. In our increasingly chaotic and uncertain world, where questions of identity, purpose, and morality are more complicated than ever, Camus' call to live authentically and resist injustice is as relevant as it ever was.

Take climate change, for instance. It often feels as if no matter how hard we try, the boulder of environmental destruction is still rolling down the hill. But Camus would encourage us to continue the fight anyway. He would urge us to find meaning in the struggle, even when the end result seems uncertain. It’s the act of living fully and embracing the absurdity of our situation that makes life worth living — even if, in the grand scheme of things, our efforts may not yield the results we hope for.

In the face of overwhelming challenges, it’s easy to feel like we are just rolling our own boulder uphill. But Camus’ philosophy gives us the tools to keep pushing forward with dignity and determination. As he famously said, “The struggle itself… is enough to fill a man’s heart.”

Camus' Legacy: Embracing the Absurd

Camus' ideas about the absurd and the revolt against it offer profound insight into the human condition. His emphasis on finding meaning through personal rebellion, rather than in external validation or hope for an afterlife, remains as relevant today as it was when he first wrote. For me, Camus has become a guiding philosophical presence, someone whose work continues to challenge me to live authentically, even in the face of life's inherent uncertainty.

In the end, Camus teaches us that while the absurd may define the human experience, it is not a reason to retreat into nihilism or despair. Instead, it is an invitation to live more fully, to create meaning in our own lives through the rebellion against the very forces that would otherwise reduce us to mere passivity. In embracing the absurd, we find freedom, and in that freedom, we can live a life of integrity and purpose.

So, even when things seem to spiral into the chaos of the absurd — whether that’s dealing with the struggles of modern life, questioning existential meaning, or simply trying to make sense of it all — Camus reminds us with a shrug (and probably a cigarette dangling from his mouth) that the key is to live, revolt, and laugh a little at the absurdity of it all. After all, if we’re going to push that boulder uphill, why not do it with a bit of style?

Source: Henri Cartier-Bresson

Embrace the Absurd, Live Fully

In conclusion, Albert Camus offers a vision of life that is both sobering and inspiring. By confronting the absurd and embracing the revolt against meaninglessness, we are given the freedom to live fully, to find joy in the struggle, and to stand against injustice with dignity. Camus does not promise that life will be easy, but he invites us to find purpose in the process, no matter how absurd it may seem.

At 14, I didn’t understand all of this when I read The Stranger. But as I’ve revisited his work over the years, I’ve come to appreciate Camus' message: life is absurd, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth living. In fact, it may be the absurdity itself that makes life worth living — as long as we continue to push the boulder uphill, with style.

Camus’ philosophy presents us with a paradox: life is absurd, yet we must rebel against the absurd by living it fully. This is not a call for nihilism or despair, but rather for an authentic engagement with the world, one that recognises its meaninglessness and yet finds joy, meaning, and purpose in the struggle itself. The absurd hero, whether in the form of Sisyphus, Meursault, or the modern activist, teaches us that we do not need to find a grand answer to life’s questions. Instead, we find meaning in how we engage with the world around us, how we rebel against the absurd, and how we live authentically in the face of a meaningless universe.

Camus’ philosophy is one of defiance, freedom, and rebellion. It challenges us to reject the false security of imposed meaning and embrace the liberation of accepting life’s inherent absurdity. So, while Descartes might say “Cogito, ergo sum” (“I think, therefore I am”) … I think Camus might add, “I relate, therefore I am... and I rebel, therefore I truly live.”

S xoxo

Written in London, England

13th January 2025