Albert Camus

Albert Camus (7 November 1913 – 4 January 1960) was a French-Algerian philosopher, author, and journalist. He is best known for his contributions to philosophy during the 20th century, particularly the philosophy of the absurd. His works, including novels, essays, and plays, explore themes of existentialism, absurdism, and humanism, reflecting on the human condition and the absurdity of life. Camus was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1957.

Early Life

Albert Camus was born in Mondovi, present-day Drean, in French Algeria. His father, Lucien Camus, died in World War I, leaving Camus to be raised by his mother, Catherine Hélène Sintès Camus, in a state of poverty in the Belcourt section of Algiers. Despite his impoverished upbringing, Camus excelled academically, particularly in philosophy, under the mentorship of his teacher, Jean Grenier, at the University of Algiers.

Career

Camus's literary career began in the 1930s, but he gained major recognition with the publication of his novel The Stranger (L'Étranger, sometimes translated as The Outsider) in 1942. This novel, along with the essay The Myth of Sisyphus (Le Mythe de Sisyphe), laid the foundation for his philosophy of the absurd. His other notable works include The Plague (La Peste), The Fall (La Chute), and a collection of short stories, Exile and the Kingdom (L'Exil et le royaume).

Camus was also a member of the French Resistance during World War II and edited the underground newspaper Combat. His political views were complex and evolved over time, but he consistently advocated for human rights and opposed totalitarianism.

Philosophy

Camus is often associated with existentialism, but he himself rejected this label, preferring to be known as a thinker of the absurd. He argued that life is inherently devoid of meaning, a concept he described as "the absurd," but he also insisted that individuals can and should create their own meaning through their actions and choices. Camus's philosophy is encapsulated in the allegory of Sisyphus, a figure from Greek mythology condemned to repeat forever the meaningless task of pushing a boulder up a mountain, only to have it roll down each time it reaches the top. Camus concludes that, despite its inherent absurdity, life can be lived with passion and rebellion.

Death

Albert Camus died on 4 January 1960 in a car accident near Sens, in north-central France. His untimely death at the age of 46 ended a prolific career that continues to influence philosophy, literature, and the arts.

Legacy

Camus's work remains influential in contemporary philosophical thought and literature. His writings on the absurd and humanism have inspired numerous thinkers and writers. Camus's commitment to individual freedom and his opposition to authoritarianism have made him a symbol of resistance against oppression.