run! escaping escapism

French-algerian writer Albert Camus considered “philosophical suicide” as one possible reaction to the realization that life has no objective meaning. Philosophical suicide can be the result of many forms off escapism, all ways of muting thoughts about the meaninglessness of life. This can either be achieved by forcing yourself to believe in something that gives life an objective meaning or by “turning your brain off” by excessive media or drug consumption. The reason he discards it as an appropriate reaction to the irrationality and futility of life is, that it doesn’t actually offer a solution to it, it only makes you ignore or forget about it. He argued that humans should instead embrace the absurdity of life and accept the fact that life has no ultimate meaning. According to Camus, accepting the absurdity of life is actually an act of liberation, as it allowed humans to focus on the present moment and appreciate the beauty of life. He believed that embracing the absurdity of life was the only way to truly find joy in life and to avoid nihilism. Thus, Camus‘ philosophy of absurdism encourages humans to accept the absurdity of life, and to accept that life has no ultimate meaning. He argued that humans should instead appreciate the present moment and live life to the fullest, without the need to define their lives by an ultimate purpose. This is why he was against philosophical suicide, as he believed that it prevented humans from truly appreciating and living life to the fullest.