Finding Meaning in Life - Essay Example

Camus and Walker Introduction Philosophers have exhibited efforts towards defining the critical of finding meaning in life. Whereas some philosophers highlight that life presents absurdity and meaninglessness, others have been highlighting aspects that present meaning to life. Camus presented his description of the absurdity in life and how this cause suicide. On the hand, Walker sought to describe how religion was critical in presenting life with meaning. This paper will summarize the views of these philosophers and reflect on them. Summary of Camus Article on Absurdity Albert Camus was a philosopher who sought to explain the absurdity that is evident in life. According to him, life is an irrational experience that presents no meaning at all. After highlighting his conviction on the absurdity of life, he embarked on addressing the most critical question ‘why not commit suicide?’ He then embarked on presenting the issue of absurdity and suicide. According to him, answering this question required an individual to choose distinctly whether it was a worthy venture to stay alive (Pojman, and Lewis 547). He also highlighted that the majority of the approaches to the suicide issue have considered it a social phenomena. In his view, the decision to commit suicide emanated from the heart, although the person remained unaware of the surging problem. In such ignorance of the issue, the undermining effect that surrounded thinking about a certain issue overwhelms the undermined person culminating in suicide. According to him, suicide translated to a confession by a person that there was no valid reason for facing life. People who committed suicide often indulged in undermining thought that gave them the conviction that life lacked meaning. In elaboration, choosing a voluntary death meant that the person had deciphered the ridicule inherent in the habit used to validate the existence (Pojman, and Lewis 548). Usually, a person resulted to committing suicide if there was evidence of the uselessness accompanied by suffering. In such a state, the person only experiences agitation resulting from the habits defining existence, and such agitation often becomes overwhelming. The absurdity of life is the sole cause of suicide according to Camus. Sometimes, a person seeking adjectives of describing the world only find negative ones, and this has become a familiar occurrence. Such a world presents deprivation of illusions and lights that serve to make people have a sense of belonging. The deprivation results in alienation of human from the world they live in. Apparently, as Camus explained, the alienation then triggers a separation of a person from life causing absurdity. This pattern is evident in people who contemplate suicide. Camus sought to elaborate the exact point where by absurdity caused suicide. For many people, collapsing of the stage that they base their lives on brings about weariness. This kind of weariness has the potential of triggering consciousness that causes the person to question why things happen. Such consciousness serves to highlight a high level of indifference in the future persuading the person to concentrate on the quantity of life rather than quality. He defined meaning in life as having a focus on the quality of life. Moreover, Camus also developed his argument on how presented the potential of teaching people. He then highlighted that life presented the same number of experiences for people of the same age, but the individual perception of the opportunities determined whether life presented meaning or absurdity. For those perceiving meaning, they concentrated on quality scales, while lucidity caused these scales to fade. Camus then proceeded to present a myth that served as an analogy to the absurdity in life. He used the myth of Sisyphus to illustrate the meaningless ventures of life (Pojman, and Lewis 550). Sisyphus had received a mandate from the gods to push a certain stone up a mountain, and watch it roll down, compelling him to repeat the futile process again. According to the view of Camus, life had many of such meaningless situations that introduced a great deal of absurdity. When Camus says that one should imagine Sisyphus happy, he implies that this can only happen in imagination because of the extreme absurdity in his life. Camus seems to be highlighting the fact that achieving happiness is not any easy venture in an absurd life. Summary of ‘Religion Gives Meaning to Life’ Walker presented his arguments against the views of atheists that religion deprived people of freedom, and autonomy that would help them find purpose in life. In the beginning, Walker highlighted that atheist considered autonomy as the most important aspect of life. For them, autonomy presented them with the chance to their goals and make decision that led to the fulfillment of their goals. Moreover, they viewed religion as an aspect that limited their autonomy, hence limiting their growth as well. For atheists, the recognition of a supreme being was equivalent to defining a limit to their potential growth. Their failure to recognize the position of God gave them an opportunity to utilize their autonomy and grow to attain the level of gods. However, Walker sought to refute these claims by proving logically that theism dies present purpose to life. In his argument, he highlighted that both autonomy and purpose are critical aspects in life, and both are a possibility within the realms of religion (Pojman, and Lewis 550). Walker then proceeded to illustrate how mistaken the atheists were in their conviction that autonomy could override all the good purposes, making it the most important aspect in life. According to him, having all the autonomy without a sense of purpose would be senseless. He reasoned that having all the freedom without a purpose to pursue adds no value to life. He opined that religion is the only aspect that can present people with a purpose to pursue in life. Religion presents minimal restrictions but a purpose for life. This motivates theists to forgo a few aspects of the autonomy, but have the conviction of a purpose that determines how they use their happiness (Pojman, and Lewis 551). In order to highlight that religion presents a realm where an individual can exercise a level of autonomy, and a purpose for life, he outlined eight theses to support his argument. Theists have the understanding on the origin of the universe and life, a factor that is critical in helping an individual establish a purpose for life. Theism offers the understanding that the physical world exhibits a connection with a higher spiritual realm that serves to highlight a form of transcendence. Moreover, the conviction that a Supreme Being will cause the triumph of good over evil serves to reassure theists that suffering will have an end because God has the power to cause this to happen. People who adhere to religion derive motivation from the love of God to exhibit altruism and extend good deeds to others. The outcome of this has been people who have the commitment to serve others introducing a level of comfort in the world (Pojman, and Lewis 552). Walker also highlighted the fact that theists have an explanation on why they should exhibit morality. According to them, morality presents good to both those expressing it and others. Theism also highlights the cosmic justice that exists in the world. This form of justice has been explained resulting from the balance of scales inherent in the universe. An additional thesis surrounds the equality of all humans before God because of the universal paternity of God as father to all humans (Pojman, and Lewis 553). Moreover, adherents to religion have faith that forgiveness and grace can suffice to pardon their errors doing away with the guilty conscience that people suffer. The final thesis surrounds life after death, and serves as a fundamental basis for a hope beyond the current life. In the conclusion, Walker presents a Pascalean argument to support his views that theism is true. From the superiority that theism exhibits over atheism, he mentions that it is only rational to appreciate that God is the universal father. Reflection Camus highlights that absurdity surrounds many of life’s realms. Although it is true that some people opt to commit suicide confessing that they do not recognize any valid reason that suffices to make life a worthwhile adventure. However, it is rational to highlight that only a few people embrace the voluntary culmination of their lives via death. This poses a new question concerning the number of people who experience an alienation from life, and choose to commit suicide. If life is as absurd as Camus makes it seem. One begins to question how the other percentage of people manages to find reasons worth living for in a world deprived of any illusions or hope (Pojman, and Lewis 548). Critical examination reveals that people who commit suicide had the choice to refrain from the undermining thinking that overwhelms them, and adopt a positive attitude to counter such thinking. Such a mindset that focused on establishing the scales of quality in life has the potential to present meaning in life. Moreover, the myth of Sisyphus does not suffice to present an analogy to the real situation of situations surrounding human beings. The dynamism evident in real life cannot match the repetitive venture of Sisyphus. Evidently, Walker develops a logical argument that supports the fact religion is fundamental in giving people a sense of purpose. Walker highlighted that atheists considered autonomy as the most important aspect of life. To them, autonomy presented them with the chance to their goals and make decisions that led to the fulfillment of their goals. Moreover, they viewed religion as an aspect that limited their autonomy, hence limiting their growth as well. From the argument he develops, it becomes evident that ultimate growth cannot occur if people lack a purpose. Purpose is a critical driver of growth, and religion can offer many perspectives of a purpose driven life. Since autonomy does not prove to exhibit superiority above all purposes, then Walker’s argument suffices to highlight why atheists need to recognize the role of religion (Pojman, and Lewis 552). His illustrations in depicting that the few restrictions inherent in religion are tolerable with the promise of a purpose serve to make the argument realistic. Logic is evident in the argument, and this serves to ascertain religion can offer a framework for both purpose and autonomy. According to him, having all the autonomy without a sense of purpose would be senseless. He reasoned that having all the freedom without a purpose to pursue adds no value to life. The two philosophers describe issues that surround the search for a meaning in life. It becomes evident that human exhibit a need to find reasons worth living for. According to Camus, those who do not find such meaning experience an alienating absurdity that may motivate the individual to result to committing suicide as a solution to evade it. On the other hand, Walker highlights that religion is a fundamental in presenting life with meaning. However, Walker sought to refute these claims by proving logically that theism dies present purpose to life. In his argument, he highlighted that both autonomy and purpose are critical aspects in life, and both are a possibility within the realms of religion. Work Cited Pojman, Louis P, and Lewis Vaughn. Philosophy: The Quest for Truth. New York: Oxford University Press, 2012. Print. Read More