If this video was interested or helped you in any way please like it and leave a comment. If you want more videos like this please let me know below. Also, if you want more information using Absurdism to better your life visit the link in the description.
I had a Eureka moment 50 years ago. I was a wife and mother of grade school children. Some women from the kid's school were putting together short bios of the parents for the school newsletter. They visited one afternoon and asked about what my husband did and then asked, "and what do you do"? Well, I was a musician, violin and drums at the moment, I read a great deal, my husband and I were remodeling and building our house, I jogged, and the list of what I do spun through my head with the realization that I was paid for none of what I do and that much of it was, in the eyes of the world, rather along the lines of a dilettante. And the answer came to me, "I'm a bum!" I was thrilled! I'd finally defined my life to myself. After that, my husband remarked, "ever since you decided you're a bum you've been impossible to live with". And it was true. I'd started living for myself. I didn't much care what anybody else had to say about it. So in a nutshell, I divorced, moved to London to study violin for 6 years with a fabulous teacher, practiced Buddhism with some awesome people, changed my last name to one that reflected my heritage rather than the men in my life, and that was just the first10 years of being a bum. Since then I've had my ups and downs but it's always punctuated by awesome adventures in both my work life and my free time. I celebrated my 70th year on the planet by hiking 800 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail then came home to act my age. I've knitted a lot of sweaters and afghans, and I've listened to a million audiobooks. I eat what I like, and drink and smoke when the spirit moves me. I took up classical guitar and got pretty good, and pretty good is good enough for me so I took up bass guitar and drums just to become more acquainted with other genres. But I find now, that just sitting in my chair doing nothing is a thrill. Just being alive. I can feel/hear my cells humming along and it thrills me. You don't need to be "doing" anything at all to be passionate about being alive. When I die, the energy that is me will go somewhere and do whatever energy does on its own. I'm fine with that. Until recently, when I found it on your channel, I had no idea what to call my personal philosophy but I think now, I was born an absurdist. Thanks! Love your way of "Thinking Deeply". And by the way, those women who came to my house to get our short bios? In the newsletter, I was listed as "Housewife".
really appreciate you sharing this, i kinda feel lucky to have read this. it's really got me thinking about my own life. again, thank you for sharing ❤
@scottfree2b and what about your kid how they took the divorce I feel bad for the kid whose mother left them children need mothers and stable living situations to grow to be healthy and happy or they grow up im not impressed to see such selfishness from a MOTHER
I quit a career in the Legal profession and eventually became a cabinet maker - for me it was a question of finding something that I enjoyed the doing of, hour after hour, day after day, month in/month out, year after year. Two decades later, I still enjoy the doing, and, although I recognise the ultimate futility of being, I rarely suffer feelings of pointlessness. If I had to analyse exactly what it is that shields me from despair and the death of hope, I think it would all boil down to the 'pursuit of beauty', a quest to find find beauty in all things, an appreciation of it wherever it occurs, and a desire to create beautiful things. And by creating beautiful things, do we not add 'form' to a chaotic universe?
I enjoy your videos but I have to listen to them on 0.75 speed because my brain doesn't work as fast as yours and I don't want to miss anything you say, which in this video was quite helpful. Thanks!
It would be best to consider the pros and cons of each step and each prescripted concept of his philosophical system. For example for the scoundrel in life freedom is to be free from any constraint that stops the scoundrel from rape theft murder intoxication and so on. I also suspect that Camus philosophy is an attempt to accept defeat in the search for meaning. Not only does it poke at rationality but it also gives up on objectivity. I think it is a stop hold for people who live in despair and tries to get them to accept brute facts and move forward without suicide which is commendable. How ever it does in a way seduce us into giving up on philosophy on some level and for that I would say to accept it for life would be philosophical suicide as it asks you to accept a static as opposed to a dynamic frame of thought. Good place to start bad place to stop. Examine each concept like freedom and objectivity for example. Each concept has pros cons and exceptions to the rule. That philosophy is meant to be a starting point where you can catch your breath and begin to think afresh. It is anti suicide good but it is also static which can be both good bad and ugly. It does hold good clues. Think about it more and use it as a reference point. It's useful that way I think.
Excellent channel. The philosophies are explained very clearly. I have a better understanding of them now. I like the way you also analyze the theories and their relevance. One little suggestion I would make would be to speak a little more slowly. Occasionally I have to replay some items because I couldnt easily ollow clearly some points you were making. Another suggestion I might make is what about including more illustrations of the philosophical concepts . Have you read Sophies world. That author provides lots of examples to illustrate his points.
If you believe that the talk of god actually means life not an individual it adds so much meaning to ones life.Replace the word god with life in its enormity from the smallest thing to the vast universe everything appears amazing
Do True Absurdists Seek a Better Life? Is true absurdism possible in the first place? I feel that we can only define ourselves in the context of personal memory, history, religion, science, philosophy, etc., in other words, in fiction. In other words, meaning is generated the moment we recognize ourselves. Even if we recognize that "my life is meaningless," such meaning has been generated.
The heart of man is the center of the cosmos. The physical world is devoid of meaning, yet man is as much meaning-maker as meaning-seeker. I see no conflict between embracing the absurd and becoming the overman.
Thanks for the video. Made me think of a question. What about absurdism view of positivism and science? Are them also philosophical suicides like God where a search for ultimate meanings based on cause and effect relationships is made? Or to put it in another way "Can science be absurdist?"
I don't know why religion is a bad source of a meaning. Abandoning moral objectivity for freedom is a false premise, because we aren't free, and the funny thing is that we live in society where the boundaries are mostly from religions. To be honest I think that faith is the simplest and compatible with our nature solution. Camus doesn't convince me. Not everyone is a playboy who can just enjoy the life. I think the virgin Nietzsche had better grasp of the reality.
Interesting that you think faith is the most natural solution. My thinking has been going along those lines as well recently. Since absurdism inevitably runs into limtitations such as societal expectations, morality, questions about the afterlife
I prefer to take a responsible life with an absurdist attitude. Even if there is no inherent meaning to the world, i find being good for my community gives me a deep sense of meaning. To me, freedom is not an absence of responsibility, but the choice of who/what I am responsible to. Who cares what anyone else thinks as long as those are fulfilled to the best of your ability. I spent a good amount of my twenties lost in mindless hedonisim, and I found it to be fruitless. If you eat nothing but sugar, your teeth are gonna rot, and you'll just pointlessly suffer. Rather than find my solace in faith, I find it in the fact that the world is really fucking funny. I know it's not a completely absurdist way to live, but it's the most applicable balance I've been able to find so far. There's probably a better name for it, and I'd love to know what that is.
If this video was interested or helped you in any way please like it and leave a comment.
If you want more videos like this please let me know below.
Also, if you want more information using Absurdism to better your life visit the link in the description.
You did an amazing job thank you.
Since I have embraced absurdism and deterministic ideas my life has been much more peaceful and content
I had a Eureka moment 50 years ago. I was a wife and mother of grade school children. Some women from the kid's school were putting together short bios of the parents for the school newsletter. They visited one afternoon and asked about what my husband did and then asked, "and what do you do"? Well, I was a musician, violin and drums at the moment, I read a great deal, my husband and I were remodeling and building our house, I jogged, and the list of what I do spun through my head with the realization that I was paid for none of what I do and that much of it was, in the eyes of the world, rather along the lines of a dilettante. And the answer came to me, "I'm a bum!"
I was thrilled! I'd finally defined my life to myself. After that, my husband remarked, "ever since you decided you're a bum you've been impossible to live with". And it was true. I'd started living for myself. I didn't much care what anybody else had to say about it. So in a nutshell, I divorced, moved to London to study violin for 6 years with a fabulous teacher, practiced Buddhism with some awesome people, changed my last name to one that reflected my heritage rather than the men in my life, and that was just the first10 years of being a bum. Since then I've had my ups and downs but it's always punctuated by awesome adventures in both my work life and my free time.
I celebrated my 70th year on the planet by hiking 800 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail then came home to act my age. I've knitted a lot of sweaters and afghans, and I've listened to a million audiobooks. I eat what I like, and drink and smoke when the spirit moves me. I took up classical guitar and got pretty good, and pretty good is good enough for me so I took up bass guitar and drums just to become more acquainted with other genres. But I find now, that just sitting in my chair doing nothing is a thrill. Just being alive. I can feel/hear my cells humming along and it thrills me. You don't need to be "doing" anything at all to be passionate about being alive. When I die, the energy that is me will go somewhere and do whatever energy does on its own. I'm fine with that.
Until recently, when I found it on your channel, I had no idea what to call my personal philosophy but I think now, I was born an absurdist. Thanks! Love your way of "Thinking Deeply".
And by the way, those women who came to my house to get our short bios? In the newsletter, I was listed as "Housewife".
Love this. Thank you for sharing! You helped someone today:)
Yes Housewife ha ha I hate labels soooo restrictive
really appreciate you sharing this, i kinda feel lucky to have read this. it's really got me thinking about my own life. again, thank you for sharing ❤
My wife has a job, and I manage the household (shopping, cooking, laundry, repairs, upkeep). I call myself a "homemaker".
@scottfree2b and what about your kid how they took the divorce I feel bad for the kid whose mother left them children need mothers and stable living situations to grow to be healthy and happy or they grow up im not impressed to see such selfishness from a MOTHER
I quit a career in the Legal profession and eventually became a cabinet maker - for me it was a question of finding something that I enjoyed the doing of, hour after hour, day after day, month in/month out, year after year. Two decades later, I still enjoy the doing, and, although I recognise the ultimate futility of being, I rarely suffer feelings of pointlessness. If I had to analyse exactly what it is that shields me from despair and the death of hope, I think it would all boil down to the 'pursuit of beauty', a quest to find find beauty in all things, an appreciation of it wherever it occurs, and a desire to create beautiful things. And by creating beautiful things, do we not add 'form' to a chaotic universe?
Good to see you back!
Found your channel not too long ago. Definitely valuing your content, and would love to learn more about absurdism
Live in the moment. Be happy with what you got and how you live
going through a rough time and this video certainly helped
Really appreciate the refresher. Enjoying it is a constant battle. You forget how to fight sometimes.
Thanks Ben. It would be great to have more videos like this. I seldom write comments, thanks again!
Welcome back, great suggestions. Happy new year 🎉
I enjoy your videos but I have to listen to them on 0.75 speed because my brain doesn't work as fast as yours and I don't want to miss anything you say, which in this video was quite helpful. Thanks!
I need more of this for my life 😅 15:41
Excellent, constructive advice. Thank you.
Very good content! I think Camus is right. There is no meaning and we should all embrace it. Thank you very much for this video.
Really good video. Can you do a video on thus spoke zarathustra?
Brilliant take on absurdism Ben! Really needed a fresh perspective on this philosophy and life in general
Ayeee happy u bacl
Nice to see another one of your videos 😃
It would be best to consider the pros and cons of each step and each prescripted concept of his philosophical system. For example for the scoundrel in life freedom is to be free from any constraint that stops the scoundrel from rape theft murder intoxication and so on. I also suspect that Camus philosophy is an attempt to accept defeat in the search for meaning. Not only does it poke at rationality but it also gives up on objectivity. I think it is a stop hold for people who live in despair and tries to get them to accept brute facts and move forward without suicide which is commendable. How ever it does in a way seduce us into giving up on philosophy on some level and for that I would say to accept it for life would be philosophical suicide as it asks you to accept a static as opposed to a dynamic frame of thought. Good place to start bad place to stop. Examine each concept like freedom and objectivity for example. Each concept has pros cons and exceptions to the rule. That philosophy is meant to be a starting point where you can catch your breath and begin to think afresh. It is anti suicide good but it is also static which can be both good bad and ugly. It does hold good clues. Think about it more and use it as a reference point. It's useful that way I think.
Excellent work
Excellent channel. The philosophies are explained very clearly. I have a better understanding of them now. I like the way you also analyze the theories and their relevance. One little suggestion I would make would be to speak a little more slowly. Occasionally I have to replay some items because I couldnt easily ollow clearly some points you were making. Another suggestion I might make is what about including more illustrations of the philosophical concepts . Have you read Sophies world. That author provides lots of examples to illustrate his points.
Thank you for this great video!
If you believe that the talk of god actually means life not an individual it adds so much meaning to ones life.Replace the word god with life in its enormity from the smallest thing to the vast universe everything appears amazing
For the algorithm
I'm curious to compare absurdism with Viktor Frankl's thoughts on meaning. Now, just to read "Man's Search for Meaning."
Damn been a while
Do True Absurdists Seek a Better Life? Is true absurdism possible in the first place?
I feel that we can only define ourselves in the context of personal memory, history, religion, science, philosophy, etc., in other words, in fiction. In other words, meaning is generated the moment we recognize ourselves. Even if we recognize that "my life is meaningless," such meaning has been generated.
Where you been dude?
The heart of man is the center of the cosmos. The physical world is devoid of meaning, yet man is as much meaning-maker as meaning-seeker. I see no conflict between embracing the absurd and becoming the overman.
Thanks for the video. Made me think of a question. What about absurdism view of positivism and science? Are them also philosophical suicides like God where a search for ultimate meanings based on cause and effect relationships is made? Or to put it in another way "Can science be absurdist?"
😍👍
I enjoyed this and would like to hear more. Subbing so i dont miss if you do.
👏🙂
I don't know why religion is a bad source of a meaning. Abandoning moral objectivity for freedom is a false premise, because we aren't free, and the funny thing is that we live in society where the boundaries are mostly from religions.
To be honest I think that faith is the simplest and compatible with our nature solution.
Camus doesn't convince me. Not everyone is a playboy who can just enjoy the life. I think the virgin Nietzsche had better grasp of the reality.
Interesting that you think faith is the most natural solution. My thinking has been going along those lines as well recently. Since absurdism inevitably runs into limtitations such as societal expectations, morality, questions about the afterlife
I prefer to take a responsible life with an absurdist attitude. Even if there is no inherent meaning to the world, i find being good for my community gives me a deep sense of meaning. To me, freedom is not an absence of responsibility, but the choice of who/what I am responsible to. Who cares what anyone else thinks as long as those are fulfilled to the best of your ability.
I spent a good amount of my twenties lost in mindless hedonisim, and I found it to be fruitless. If you eat nothing but sugar, your teeth are gonna rot, and you'll just pointlessly suffer.
Rather than find my solace in faith, I find it in the fact that the world is really fucking funny. I know it's not a completely absurdist way to live, but it's the most applicable balance I've been able to find so far. There's probably a better name for it, and I'd love to know what that is.
Epicureanism
That’s budha
Good to see you back!