Philosopher and author Albert Camus, as well as psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud, were known as two original thinkers. Though seemingly disparate, their works intersect at intriguing points, offering a rich tapestry for exploration. This blog explores the possible links between the psychoanalytic lens and Camus' absurdist philosophy.
The Absurd and the Unconscious
A key component of Camus' philosophy is his notion of the absurd. According to his theory, life has no intrinsic meaning and no inherent purpose or value. This encounter with absurdity can result in a defiant affirmation of life despite its absurdity or in existential despair.
On the other hand, psychoanalysis delves into the depths of the human psyche to reveal the unconscious drives and desires that influence our actions. Theories of the id, ego, and superego by Freud, along with his notions of sublimation and repression, provide a framework for comprehending the psychological foundations of human experience.
The Myth of Sisyphus
The famous essay by Camus, "The Myth of Sisyphus," uses the metaphor of a man destined to roll a boulder up a hill for all eternity only to have it roll back down as a representation of the human condition. Camus sees a kind of defiance in Sisyphus' acceptance of his fate, even though this Sisyphean task represents the absurdity of existence. To highlight the meaninglessness of life by nature, Camus presents the idea of the absurd. Sisyphus is the embodiment of this absurdity; he is doomed to push a boulder up a hill for all eternity only to have it roll back down. The task is futile, yet Sisyphus must continue. To quote Camus:
"The absurd is the confrontation between the irrational and the desire for absolute meaning."
The myth strikes a deep chord with the human experience of coming to terms with death's inevitable conclusion and life's meaninglessness. It forces us to face the absurdity of our existence and look for purpose in it.
"The struggle itself towards the heights is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy."
Even though Sisyphus's fate is bleak, Camus finds a way to accept it as a form of defiance. Sisyphus becomes a symbol of the human spirit, which never gives up even in the face of unfathomable adversity.
"The absurd man, who knows that his life is devoid of meaning, can find a meaning in the very act of recognizing that it is meaningless."
According to Camus, accepting life's absurdity is a liberating realisation rather than a reason for hopelessness. We can break free from the delusion of purpose and lead more genuine lives by accepting the meaninglessness of life.
"Hope is a betrayal of the absurd."
The myth is a call to action, even though it paints a gloomy picture. Camus exhorts us to accept life's absurdities and derive fulfilment from the small acts of creation, love, and existence.
"The essential point is that there is no meaning beyond human life. Man must create his own meaning."
"The Myth of Sisyphus" is a significant work that challenges us to confront the existential questions of life and find meaning in the face of absurdity. Camus's defiant affirmation of the human spirit continues to inspire and provoke thought.
Totem and Taboo
Published in 1913, Totem and Taboo is Sigmund Freud's groundbreaking work. Offering a distinctive viewpoint on the beginnings of human civilisation, religion, and morality, it is regarded as a seminal text in the development of psychoanalysis.
Origins of Civilisation
According to Freud, the origin of human civilisation can be traced back to the resolution of the Oedipus complex, a universal psychological conflict in which a child harbours animosity towards their same-sex parent and desires their opposite. He suggests that the founding event of the human A totem, a symbolic representation of the deceased father, was established after society was reduced to the collective patricide of a primordial father.
"Prehistoric man(...) is known to us through(...) monuments(...)implements (...) left behind legends, myths and fairytales"
Considered a basic social contract supporting civilisation, the incest prohibition—which Freud associated with the Oedipus complex—is enforced. Freud contends that internalising the father's prohibitions forms the superego, or moral conscience. In his interpretation, religious rituals function to uphold social order and allay guilt by symbolically reenacting the primordial patricide. Freud investigates how social norms and the collective conscience are maintained by taboos.
"The super-ego is the heir to the Oedipus complex."
By showing how unconscious conflicts and desires can be expressed through myths, rituals, and dreams, “Totem and Taboo” offers insights into the symbolic language of the unconscious. Although not stated directly, Freud's theories in this book can be considered forerunners of Carl Jung's theory of the collective unconscious, which is a shared storehouse of archetypal symbols. Anthropological research is used in Totem and Taboo to investigate the beginnings of cultural customs and beliefs.
"Civilisation is based on the renunciation of instinctual satisfactions."
External and Internal Absurdity of Existence
A foundational idea of psychoanalytic theory is Freud's Oedipus complex, which holds that young children subconsciously harbour animosity towards their same-sex parent and yearn for their opposite-sex parent. Despite its contentious nature—a topic I will not delve into now—this complex offers a framework for comprehending how personalities develop and how families function. Though they might not appear connected, these two ideas—the fight against meaninglessness (Sisyphus) and the intricate relationship between desire and conflict (Oedipus complex)—explore essential human experiences.
A fascinating line of inquiry lies at the intersection of Sigmund Freud's psychoanalysis and Albert Camus' philosophy of the absurd. While Camus emphasises the external absurdity of the world, Freud delves into the internal absurdity of the human psyche. We could better comprehend the human condition and our quest for meaning in an apparently meaningless world by combining these two points of view.