It is befitting that our group should have another Frenchie. This has been our theme after all.
We discussed Camus's various philosophical thoughts in the limited time that we had to discuss and decided upon a factual question. I will post all the discussion questions.
The factual question:
Camus Factual:
Who wrote "Myth of Sisyphus?"
A Mark Twain
B Albert Camus
C Thomas Paine
D Emma Goldman
"B" Albert Camus
The factual question:
Camus Factual:
Who wrote "Myth of Sisyphus?"
A Mark Twain
B Albert Camus
C Thomas Paine
D Emma Goldman
"B" Albert Camus
Discussion Questions (in the order of Tim, Lacey, Shannon, and Megan).
How is it that consciousness is what makes humanity victorious and how is the idea of human consciousness constructed within our society?
Discussion: Do you agree with the words of Camus when he says, "The workman of today works every day in his life at the same tasks, and his fate is no less absurd. But it is tragic only at the rare moments when it becomes conscious." Why or why not?
Do you think, as Camus claims, that "acknowledging the absurdity of the human condition is what saves us"? That by recognizing and confronting the setbacks we encounter, we can discover our own individual paths to contentment in life? Or are there too many external and uncontrollable factors acting against us that make true happiness unachievable?
Do you agree with Camus's point when he says Sisyphus finds happiness in knowing that "his rock is his thing?" Is knowing that our life or burdens are our own create a sense of happiness or is it too overwhelming?
So, that is it! I have personally enjoyed my group because we are the best. I would not have had this class any other way. Thanks for being awesome ladies!
And so now, I think that I should leave my personal philosophical reflection. I have many thoughts on philosophy especially concerning social philosophy. But beyond the social, that is our existence, I think that this is a nice way to sum up the absence of existence, which we must all face:
Remember, we can't always be. One day we will all be sand on a beach by the sea.
How sad...
ReplyDeleteBut it's been fun ^~^ (with the Frenchies! and other countries' philosophers who need not be mentioned).
I'll answer Megan's question:
I think that Camus is stressing that Sisyphus found happiness not only by knowing that his rock is his "thing" in life, but also by making a conscious choice every time it rolls back down that hill that it makes himself happy - somehow - to retrieve it and try again. If he got frustrated with it, then the rock would be controlling him, and his existence would be a choice of misery because he allows the eternal suffering of never completing that one task to bring him down. In that way, I think it's knowing and recognizing our own individual setbacks in life and choosing how to encounter or face them throughout every day life even when they never go away. It's only overwhelming if you choose to look at it in that way, and it's only frustrating if you choose to be oblivious to your own choice in the matter and allow the eternal rolling rock to doom and control you. I think it's conscious choice - acknowledging the situation - one way or the other that spurs happiness.
[...end speech :)]
I will miss you guys!
ReplyDeleteI agree, Shannon. I think for the most part it is our own choice that determines whether life is too overwhelming, or if we make that which overwhelms us a source of our own happiness. It also makes it easier to realize that everyone on Earth has their own rock to push up the hill, too.
Obviously we will just never see each other again!
ReplyDeleteI must agree with that too Shannon. In the end, it is a personal reflection that makes society seem overwhelming or not so much in that regard. Everyone has his/her own problem yet these personal troubles are also interwoven with others making them public issues as well. Through this, we can better understand how society can be overwhelming.