Shanteria Taylor
ENGL 1302
Professor Hammett
Rhetorical Essay 2
8/02/23 - Revised
Word Count 1569
Camus and Absurdity
Albert Camus, a prominent figure in the absurdist movement, was deeply interested in exploring the human condition and the inherent absurdity of existence. His philosophical essays and fictional works, like "The Stranger" and "The Plague," delved into existential themes and the complexities of human behavior. To understand how Camus might view the social epidemic of narcissism, we can turn to his influential essay, "The Myth of Sisyphus," where he discusses the concept of the absurd and its implications for human life.
In "The Myth of Sisyphus," Camus begins by addressing the fundamental question of whether life is worth living in a universe devoid of inherent meaning. He examines the myth of Sisyphus, a figure condemned by the gods to roll a boulder up a hill for eternity, only to watch it roll back down each time he nears the top. Camus finds an analogy in this tale to the human condition: the repetitive and seemingly meaningless nature of life.
The notion of absurdity in Camus's philosophy arises from the tension between humanity's desire for meaning and the indifference of the universe. The universe does not offer a preordained purpose or meaning to human existence, and yet individuals yearn for significance and coherence in their lives (The Universe Doesn’t Care About Your ‘Purpose’). This inherent conflict gives rise to the absurd, which Camus defines as the confrontation between human longing and the unreasonable silence of the world.
Turning our attention to narcissism, we can draw connections between Camus's concept of the absurd and the behavior of narcissists. Narcissists, by their very nature, seek to elevate themselves above others and place an excessive focus on their own needs, desires, and achievements (Winterbottom). They crave admiration and recognition, often at the expense of genuine connections with others. In doing so, they attempt to impose meaning and importance upon themselves, rejecting the notion of life's inherent meaninglessness.
However, Camus would likely view this self-centered pursuit of significance as an inadequate response to the absurdity of existence. Narcissism, rather than being an authentic rebellion against the meaningless universe, represents a form of escapism—a way to avoid confronting the reality of life's lack of inherent purpose (Winterbottom). It is a superficial attempt to create a self-aggrandizing identity that shields individuals from the discomfort of acknowledging the absurd.
In "The Rebel," another significant work by Camus, he explores the notion of rebellion against the absurd. While rebellion is essential in asserting human freedom and dignity, Camus would likely argue that narcissism is not a genuine form of rebellion (Camus). Instead, it represents a misguided and ultimately futile attempt to rebel against the absurd by constructing an artificial identity based on self-centeredness.
To bolster this analysis with direct research quotes, we can refer to Camus's own words from "The Myth of Sisyphus":
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In the quote, "The absurd is born of this confrontation between the human need and the unreasonable silence of the world," Camus encapsulates one of the central themes of his philosophical exploration. To understand this statement better, let's break it down into its key components.
"The absurd": In Camus's philosophy, "the absurd" refers to the inherent conflict or dissonance between the human quest for meaning, purpose, and significance in life and the universe's apparent lack of any intrinsic meaning or purpose. It is the condition in which individuals yearn for coherence and a sense of value in their existence, yet they are confronted with a universe that remains indifferent and silent to their desires (Melinda). This tension creates a state of existential absurdity, where human aspirations for meaning collide with the apparent futility and randomness of existence.
"Born of this confrontation": Camus suggests that the absurd arises from the encounter between the human need for meaning and the objective reality of the universe's silence. When individuals seek purpose, significance, and answers to life's fundamental questions, they are confronted with the reality that the universe does not provide clear or satisfying responses (Camus). This clash between human longing and the indifferent universe gives birth to the experience of the absurd.
"Human need": This phrase refers to the intrinsic and fundamental desire within human beings to find meaning and significance in their lives. Throughout history, humans have sought to understand their place in the world, the purpose of their existence, and the nature of reality itself. The search for meaning is a fundamental aspect of the human condition.
"Unreasonable silence of the world": Camus describes the universe as "unreasonable" and "silent" because it does not provide humans with explicit, predetermined meanings or answers to their existential questions (Camus). The universe operates according to its own natural laws, indifferent to human concerns and desires. Its silence refers to the lack of any inherent or inherent response to human inquiries about the ultimate meaning or purpose of life.
Now, applying this understanding to narcissism, we can see how Camus's ideas shed light on the motivations behind narcissistic behavior. Narcissists, driven by a strong need for validation and recognition, try to establish an exaggerated sense of self-importance and uniqueness (Camus). They seek constant admiration and praise from others to affirm their self-worth. In this sense, narcissism can be interpreted as an attempt to create meaning and significance in an otherwise indifferent and meaningless world.
The narcissist's self-centeredness and need for constant validation can be seen as a response to the absurdity of existence. By elevating themselves above others and seeking continuous admiration, they are trying to counteract the existential anxiety that arises from the lack of inherent meaning in life ("Selfish Vs Self-Centered Vs Self-Absorbed Vs Narcissist"). In their pursuit of self-aggrandizement, they are attempting to fill the void of meaninglessness with a self-created, exaggerated sense of importance.
However, Camus would likely view this as a flawed and superficial response to the absurd. Rather than genuinely confronting the existential dilemma of life's lack of inherent purpose, narcissism represents a denial of the absurd, a way to escape the discomfort of facing life's inherent meaninglessness (Winterbottom). It is a defense mechanism to shield themselves from the unsettling reality of an indifferent universe, rather than an authentic confrontation with the absurdity of existence.
The quote "The absurd is not in man nor in the world, but in their presence together" from Albert Camus's essay "The Myth of Sisyphus" is a key statement that sheds light on the nature of absurdity (Camus). To understand this quote in the context of narcissism and its relation to the absurd, we must delve into Camus's philosophy and examine how the interaction between individuals (like narcissists) and the world contributes to the experience of absurdity.
Camus's notion of the absurd arises from the conflict between human beings' search for meaning and purpose and the indifference of the universe. It is not a characteristic solely belonging to individuals or a quality inherent in the world, but rather a result of their coexistence and interaction (Winterbottom). The absurd emerges when humans, who long for significance and coherence in their lives, confront a world that remains indifferent to their desires, offering no inherent meaning or purpose.
Now, let's consider how narcissism fits into this framework. Narcissism is a psychological trait characterized by excessive self-centeredness, a grandiose sense of self-importance, a constant need for admiration, and a lack of empathy towards others. When a narcissist interacts with the world, they do so with a skewed perspective—one that places themselves at the center of their universe and often disregards the needs and feelings of others. In this sense, the absurd does not solely reside within the narcissist (man) or in the external reality of the world but rather in the dynamic interaction between the two (Melinda).
The absurdity of narcissism becomes evident in this interaction. The narcissist's relentless pursuit of self-importance clashes with the indifferent and often unpredictable nature of the world. The narcissist seeks admiration and validation, attempting to impose significance and meaning on their own terms, but the world remains unconcerned with their self-aggrandizing endeavors ("What Is Narcissism?"). The inherent conflict between the narcissist's self-centered desires and the world's indifference creates a profound sense of absurdity.
The absurdity of the narcissistic interaction with the world is further compounded by the fact that narcissism often leads to shallow and superficial relationships. The narcissist's self-absorption hinders their ability to form genuine connections with others, as their primary focus remains on themselves ("Selfish Vs Self-Centered Vs Self-Absorbed Vs Narcissist"). Consequently, they may find it difficult to establish meaningful relationships, exacerbating their feelings of isolation and disconnectedness from the world.
Moreover, narcissism's inherent self-centeredness prevents individuals from embracing the absurd in a genuine and authentic way. Instead of acknowledging life's lack of inherent meaning and embracing the challenges of existence, narcissists attempt to create a self-contained universe where they are the center of significance. This futile attempt to escape the absurd through self-aggrandizement represents a form of denial, rather than a courageous acceptance of life's uncertainties and lack of predetermined purpose.
Works Cited
Camus, Albert. The Modern Classics Myth of Sisyphus.
National Geographic Books, 2013.
Melinda. "Narcissistic Personality Disorder." HelpGuide.org, 2 Nov. 2018, www.helpguide.org/articles/mental-disorders/narcissistic-personality-disorder.htm.
"Selfish Vs Self-Centered Vs Self-Absorbed Vs Narcissist." UpJourney, 7 Apr. 2023, upjourney.com/selfish-vs-self-centered-vs-self-absorbed-vs-narcissist.
"The Universe Doesn’t Care About Your ‘Purpose’." The New York Times - Breaking News, US News, World News and Videos, 31 July 2017
www.nytimes.com/2017/07/31/opinion/the-universe-doesnt-care-about-your-purpose.html.
"What Is Narcissism?" WebMD, www.webmd.com/mental-health/ss/slideshow-mental-narcissism.
Winterbottom, T. Albert Camus, "The rebel," And the modern world: Rebellion and progress. 2019.
