Question

Article on - Are humans devoids of humanity?​

Answer 1

Explanation:

This essay examines whether or not absurdity is intrinsic to human life. It takes Camus’ interpretation of ‘The Absurd’ as its conceptual starting point. It traces such thought back to Schopenhauer, whose work is then critically analysed. This analysis focuses primarily on happiness and meaning. This essay accepts some of Schopenhauer’s premises, but rejects his conclusions. Instead, it considers Nietzsche’s alternatives and the role of suffering in life. It posits that suffering may help people acquire meaning and escape absurdity. It then analyses the role of compassion in absurdity, in reference to Nietzsche’s work and Buddhist teachings. Lastly, it examines absurdity in relation to death, rejecting the notion that death exacerbates absurdity. This paper understands absurdity to be a natural part of the human condition, as characterised by suffering, death and an absence of meaning. It concludes that although human life is absurd by nature, it need not remain so.

This essay examines the notion of absurdity being intrinsic to human life. It takes Camus’ interpretation of ‘The Absurd’ as its conceptual starting point. This essay traces such thought back to Schopenhauer, whose ‘pain and boredom’ thesis and subsequent call for asceticism are then critically analysed. It then considers Nietzsche’s alternative solution to Schopenhauer’s dilemma. Lastly, this essay analyses the role of compassion in absurdity. It does so in reference to Nietzsche’s work and Buddhist teachings. It concludes that whilst human life is absurd by nature, it need not remain so, as we can project meaning onto life.