Learning From Camus’ Sisyphus: Responding to Absurdity With Joy

• In Event: Roundtable Session 15
  In Roundtable Session: Navigating With Wisdom the New Educational Landscape

Abstract

In this paper presentation, I wish to expand on Camus’ interpretation of Sisyphus as the absurd hero who exhibits joy rather than cynicism or despair. Specifically, I will explore how joy and humor can help people respond to the little absurdities that they face in their lives as well as to the more general notion that human existence is absurd. Drawing on the works of scholars such as Thomas Nagel, John Morreall and Ted Cohen, I argue that joy and humor constitute healthy and educationally beneficial responses to the absurd. I show that since absurdity is an integral part of the human condition responding to this condition with joy makes a great deal of sense.

Author

• Mordechai Gordon, Quinnipiac University