Megan Curran

English 1213

Project Two

Professor Hammett

05 May 2024

Word Count: 1595

Albert Camus: Champion of Absurd Morality

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       Albert Camus was an absurd fiction author whose philosophical and political ideas continue to resonate with readers around the world. He won the Nobel prize in 1957 for “a body of work which sheds light on the problems presented in our times to the conscience of men”, predicting today’s societal problems mimicked from the past (“Camus Beliefs” 7). As a staunch moralist, he was known for his criticism of totalitarianism and advocacy for social justice, arguing for a balance between individual freedom and social responsibility. According to her journal article “Prison and Absurdism in The Stranger”, author Kumari Shikha states, “Camus does not advocate a stoic acceptance of the difficulties and problems of life” (3). Absurdist literature often digs into the human condition and the absurdity of existence, offering a unique perspective on social phenomena, like the one that plagues this country, specifically in this beautiful state of Oklahoma: the concerning soaring rate of female incarceration.

       America, renowned as the home of the brave and land of the free, holds the title for highest incarceration rate in the world with just the United States accounting for, “for nearly 20% of the global incarcerated population with roughly 2.3 million incarcerated people as of 2020” with, “Oklahoma alone has a world leading female incarceration rate of 106 females incarcerated per 100,000 citizens, which is higher than or equal to other leading incarcerators including China, Qatar, and the U.S. itself” (Doerge 6). Absurdist authors, like Albert Camus, would perceive this surge of women’s imprisonment as emblematic of the inherent absurdity of today’s social structures. Deeply concerned with issues surrounding human nature, he would find these statistics appalling. Author Kumari Shikha maintains that "Camus believed life to be valuable and worth defending, dedicating his life to assisting the poor and the oppressed" (3). Camus would agree that this was a social epidemic due to his firm stance against injustice, his bleak outlook and criticism of societal structures, and his virtuous empathy and compassion.

       Considering his strong opposition to injustice, Camus would be unsettled by the social inequity that has contributed to this unprecedented prison spike. As someone who valued dignity, he would see this as a glaring example of societal failure. He believed in the importance of challenging unjust systems and working towards a fairer and more just world; society has an obligation to uphold the rights and welfare of its citizens. Camus demonstrates ambiguity by acknowledging that unchecked freedom can lead to chaos and anarchy, while also recognizing that a rigid bias can lead to restriction of individual freedoms. According to authors Ambrose Arinze and Ignatius Onwuatuegwu, "Camus struggled with the question of whether it is really true that one can simply shrug off any 'horror' or injustice. Nevertheless, with his notion of freedom he maintains that this effort is possible" (“Notion of Absurdity” 537). This suggests that while freedom allows for the possibility of confronting injustice, it also entails the responsibility of navigating its complexities. However, seeking fairness without understanding life's complexities or considering individual situations can lead to harsh punishment. Absolute justice can sometimes be disguised as authoritarian, imposing strict rules without considering the nuances of unique circumstances. Aligned with Camus's perspective, it is clear that he understands the different paths people take when faced with the need to make important decisions. Camus focuses on the consequences of various approaches to social problems, from superficial interests to a lack of moral foundation or a genuine pursuit of meaningful action:

Again, we may decide to substitute tragic dilettantism for action and in this case human lives become counters in a game. Finally, we may propose to embark on some course of action which is not entirely gratuitous. In the latter case, in that we have no higher values to guide our behavior, our aim will be immediate efficacy. Since nothing is either true or false, good or bad, our guiding principle will be to demonstrate that we are the most efficient- in other words, the strongest. (“The Rebel” 5)

Camus argues that absolute freedom and absolute justice are both inadequate in their own, and that true societal progress comes from finding a balance between the two, where each serve as a check on the other's excesses. It is probable that he would propose constructive ways to find common ground while addressing this issue with measures like comprehensive bill reform and upgrading to fair and equal legislation.

       Additionally, Camus would critique the societal structures that contribute to this viral trend of women’s excessive prison sentences. In addressing the sad reality of societal issues such as poverty, lack of access to education, substance abuse, and gender discrimination, he could easily identify their role as root causes. Camus once said, "absurdism, like methodical doubt, has wiped the slate clean," suggesting that society should rethink societal norms, particularly regarding crime, prompting humanity to question the status quo and contemplate innovative methods of achieving justice (“The Rebel” 10). This implies that amid societal challenges, there is an opportunity to reassess our approaches and align them more closely with evolving principles of fairness and equity. Thorough scrutiny of these broken systems and their leadership is essential to fixing the disconnect between authorities and the common person. Camus proposes a comparable idea in the Myth of Sisyphus: “everything is ordered in such a way as to bring into being that poisoned peace produced by thoughtlessness, lack of heart, or fatal renunciations” (7). However, he would be more than capable of presenting viable alternatives. Since substance abuse and addiction seem to be the main contributing factors, he would support more effective options than rigid prison sentences. Drug courts, mental health treatment, and tailored rehabilitation programs are all feasible and beneficial solutions; he would champion the need for a more humane approach that prioritizes holistic support over prison chains.

       Lastly, despite grappling with the absurdity of existence, Camus demonstrates deep sensitivity to the struggles and suffering of others. His moral-centric philosophy centered around the importance of every person’s liberty, making it plausible that he would approach this issue with empathy and compassion while recognizing the futility of those impacted by incarceration. As established in an excerpt, Camus believes universal rights should be perceived as fundamental and shared among all people: “If he prefers the risk of death to the negation of the rights that he defends; it is because he considers these rights to be more important than himself. Therefore, he is acting in the name of certain values which are still indeterminate but which he feels are common to himself and to all men” (“The Rebel” 15). Camus defended the transformative power that freedom and opportunity creates, offering people a chance for self-improvement and growth. Communities should help provide women with the resources and support they need to overcome the obstacles that lead to their arrest, rather than prolonging harsh penalties. This mammoth undertaking is achievable, and it could start with raising public awareness, promoting vocational training, and parenting classes, and involving women in decision-making processes.

       Camus' concept of the absurd man exemplifies confronting life's inherent absurdity with courage and defiance. Unlike those seeking solace in religious or philosophical explanations, he embraces existence's absurdity, asserting freedom through integrity and passion. This mentality is epitomized when Camus explains that “in a world devoid of higher meaning, the human nature becomes as close to absolutely free as is humanly possible”, shedding light on how imprisoned women cope with the justice system's challenges (“The Rebel” 536). Camus' philosophy underscores the importance of maintaining authenticity amidst life's senselessness, applicable to those striving to preserve dignity and identity within the flawed legal system, illustrating the need for reform.

       Albert Camus’ viewpoint questions the moral reasoning behind mass incarceration raises doubts if these actions fit with the fundamental ideals of fairness and the respect for human worth. His existentialist perspective urges recognition of the absurdity in our criminal justice systems, pushing the need to address and solve this country’s systemic failure. Additionally, his insights call for a reevaluation of biased, kneejerk responses to crime, advocating for alternative strategies focused on rehabilitation and reintegration. Lastly, and most importantly, our society should follow Camus’ mentality, as he “believed life to be valuable and worth defending and all his life he did engage in helping the poor and the oppressed” (Shikha 3). As we confront the paradox of imposing moral order on a chaotic world, let us heed Camus's call for critical examination of this cultural phenomenon and advocate for compassionate and equitable responses to crime.

 

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Works Cited

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Arinze, Ambrose Tochukwu, and Ignatius Nnaemeka Onwuatuegwu. “The Notion of Absurdity and Meaning of Life in Albert Camus Existentialism.” Open Journal of Philosophy, vol. 10, no. 04, 27 Nov. 2020, pp. 528–538, www.scirp.org/pdf/ojpp_2020112614245174.pdf. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.

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Camus, Albert. “The Myth of Sisyphus.” Edited by Heather Wilburn. Translated by Justin O’Brien, Philosophical Thought, Tulsa Community College, 12 Aug. 2022, open.library.okstate.edu/introphilosophy/chapter/the-myth-of-sisyphus/. Accessed 29 Apr. 2024.

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Camus, Albert. “The Rebel: An Essay on Man in Revolt.” Translated by Anthony Bower, Google Books, Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group, 2012, books.google.com/books?id=t_3yQrhdxwUC. Accessed 3 May 2024.

“Camus Beliefs”. ENGL 1213, 30 Dec. 2022, file:///C:/Users/Hp/Downloads/Comp2CamusBeliefs.pdf. Accessed 28 Apr. 2024.

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Doerge, Michael Gerard Jr. Culture of Honor and Female Incarceration. 2023 University of Oklahoma, Master of Science thesis. file:///C:/Users/Hp/Downloads/2023_Doerge_Michael_Thesis.pdf. Accessed 16 Mar. 2024.

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Shikha, Kumari. “Prison and Absurdism in The Stranger.” International Journal of Creative Research Thoughts (ICJRT), vol. 10, no. 7, 7 July 2022, pp. d697–d701, file:///C:/Users/Hp/Downloads/CamusPrison.pdf. Accessed 27 Apr. 2024.