The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus

“The Myth of Sisyphus” is an essay written by French philosopher and writer Albert Camus. It was first published in French in 1942 as “Le Mythe de Sisyphe,” and later translated into English.

In the essay, Camus explores the concept of the absurd, which he defines as the conflict between humanity’s search for meaning and the universe’s indifference to that search. He uses the Greek myth of Sisyphus, a figure condemned by the gods to endlessly roll a boulder up a hill, only to have it roll back down again, as a metaphor for the human condition.

Camus argues that Sisyphus, despite his seemingly pointless and repetitive task, is able to find meaning and purpose in his struggle. He sees in Sisyphus a model for living in an absurd world, in which one must confront the meaninglessness of existence and create one’s own meaning through a commitment to living fully in the present moment.

The essay also explores the relationship between the absurd and suicide, arguing that suicide is a rejection of the struggle for meaning and a failure to accept the inherent absurdity of existence. Camus concludes that the only truly meaningful response to the absurd is to embrace it, to accept the challenge of living in a world without ultimate meaning, and to find joy and fulfillment in the struggle itself.

“The Myth of Sisyphus” is considered one of Camus’s most influential works and a key text of existentialist philosophy. It continues to be widely read and studied for its insights into the human condition and the nature of existence.