Albert Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus | A Sketch: Conquest and the Conquerer | Philosophy Core Concepts

Summary

In this video, Dr. Gregory Sadler dives into Albert Camus' 'The Myth of Sisyphus', focusing on the concept of conquest and the conqueror as depicted through Camus' philosophy. He outlines the paradoxical nature of modern conquerors, who are no longer defined by territorial gains but by their existential struggles and philosophical alignments. Sadler explores how contemporary conquerors, aware of the futility of their efforts, choose action despite knowing it can't alter their human condition fundamentally. Through this lens, Camus is seen critiquing the nature of modern existence, where human connections and actions are valued despite their transitory nature.

Highlights

• Camus shifts the concept of a conqueror from territorial to existential struggle. ✨
• The modern conqueror acts knowing actions are futile yet necessary. 🎭
• Human connections are rich due to their fleeting nature. 📅
• Intelligence and action are prioritized over mythical genius. 🧠
• Revolution is seen as a revolt against eternal forces, inspired by Prometheus. 🔥

Key Takeaways

• Modern conquerors are defined by existential struggles rather than territorial gains. 🌍
• Action, despite its futility, is central to the modern conqueror's mission. 🔄
• Human relations hold vivid meaning due to their transitory nature. ❤️
• The notion of genius is dismissed in favor of intelligence and thoughtful action. 🧠
• Camus portrays revolutions as acts against the eternal, inspired by figures like Prometheus. 🔥

Overview

In Albert Camus' 'The Myth of Sisyphus', the idea of conquest is re-evaluated through a philosophically rich lens, contrasting traditional notions of territorial domination with existential conquests. This pivot reflects a broader critique of the modern age's mechanized and mobilized nature, urging a rethinking of what it means to be a conqueror amidst awareness of life's absurdities.

Dr. Gregory Sadler breaks down Camus' sketches, focusing particularly on 'Conquest and the Conqueror', illustrating how individuals today are confronted with choices between isolated contemplation and active engagement. Today’s conquerors, aware of the futility of their ambitions, embrace action to forge meaning despite knowing it cannot rewrite the human condition. This ironic embrace of action underscores Camus' philosophy around the Absurd.

Sadler further discusses Camus' dismissal of genius - preferring intelligence and deliberate action as the hallmarks of modern greatness. Through figures like Prometheus, Camus models modern revolutions as existential defiance against eternal constraints. In this light, the conqueror is not just the master of lands, but an individual embodying the paradox of existence—striving for meaning in a transient world.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction to Philosophy and Educational Consulting The chapter introduces Dr. Gregory Sadler, a philosophy professor and the president of an educational consulting company named Reason IO. The company aims to apply philosophical concepts practically. Dr. Sadler discusses the challenges people face when reading classic philosophical texts, noting that despite their complex language or structure, the concepts might not be that difficult to grasp. He emphasizes his role in assisting students and lifelong learners in understanding these philosophical ideas.
• 00:30 - 01:00: Shorter Video Series Focused on Core Philosophical Concepts The chapter introduces a new series of shorter videos that focus on core concepts from important philosophical texts. This series is launched alongside the longer lecture videos that have been made available on YouTube. The aim is to provide concise and focused insights into specific philosophical ideas. The chapter also briefly mentions "the myth of Copus," which is part of the second section of a particular philosophical work.
• 01:00 - 02:00: Camus' Concept of the Conqueror in Modern Times The chapter explores Camus' view on the concept of the Conqueror in modern times, specifically through the lens of ethics based on quantity. Camus adds a unique twist by relating this concept to the idea of conquest, using the figure of Don Juan as a focal point. The discussion delves into how conquerors or adventurers embody these ideas, reflecting on their motivations and philosophies as portrayed by Camus.
• 02:00 - 04:00: Action vs. Contemplation and the Role of the Individual The chapter explores the themes of action versus contemplation, highlighting the evolving role of conquerors in modern society. It suggests that conquerors now operate in a different world, with changed dynamics compared to the past. The narrative warns that certain possibilities that were once open to conquerors are now restricted, emphasizing a transformation in the ways conquerors apply their intelligence and strategies. The chapter begins with an address or discourse from the perspective of a conqueror, setting the tone for the discussion on individual roles in this new configuration of the world.
• 04:00 - 06:00: Modern Challenges and Uncertain Future In this chapter, the character Conqueror reflects on the importance of balancing action with thought. Conqueror emphasizes that having a strong belief or a single guiding truth is crucial. This belief, if clear and obvious, is enough to steer one's life. The chapter delves into the realization that over a lifetime, one often comes to recognize and commit to a singular truth, which can serve as a guiding principle.
• 06:00 - 08:00: Conqueror's Commitment to History Over Eternity The chapter opens with a discussion on how to speak about individuals, advocating for bluntness and, if necessary, contempt when addressing their character.
• 08:00 - 11:00: The Nature of Modern Conquerors and the Absurd The chapter discusses the contrast between modern conquerors and historical figures, focusing on societal virtues and individual judgment, and how these have been prioritized throughout history.
• 11:00 - 13:00: Revolution and Human Contradiction The chapter 'Revolution and Human Contradiction' explores the persistent theme of human hierarchy and power dynamics. It discusses the inherent contradiction in human nature, where people are driven by a desire to either dominate or be subservient. This underlying motif of asserting one's position over another is highlighted as a fundamental component of human relationships and societal structures.
• 13:00 - 16:00: Human Relations as True Riches The chapter explores the theme of human relations and their value as true riches. It delves into the notion of conflict between societal virtues and individual virtues, explaining that such conflict arises because neither society nor the individual has fully realized their capabilities. It suggests that, while we live in a time where not all capacities are revealed, we do possess considerable knowledge about human and societal potential.
• 16:00 - 18:00: Critique of Genius and Preference for Intelligence In this chapter, the author explores the seeming contradiction between secular turmoils and eternal values. For instance, despite the chaos and turmoil of bloody wars in Flanders, Dutch painters produced masterpieces, and religious mystics composed deeply moving prayers. This illustrates how eternal values and human creativity can persist even amidst tremendous external conflicts.
• 18:00 - 20:00: Death and the Absurd in the Rebel's Universe This chapter explores the existence of beauty and religious experiences amidst the devastation and violence of wars, such as the 30 Years War. It questions the seemingly paradoxical coexistence of the absurd and faith within human societies, pondering whether this duality is accessible to modern individuals. The narrative touches on the retreat into personal dreams or hopes when faced with societal desolation, exploring themes of rebellion against an absurd universe through the lens of individual experience.
• 20:00 - 20:30: Conclusion: Rethinking the Conqueror in the Modern Age The conclusion chapter titled 'Rethinking the Conqueror in the Modern Age' contextualizes the modern era as a time of unprecedented change and uncertainty. It reflects on the Machine Age following the tumultuous periods of World War I and World War II. In this chapter, the focus is on understanding the evolving concept of what it means to be a conqueror in contemporary times. The chapter highlights the atrocities of past wars, suggesting a critical examination of our history and the path that lies ahead. It calls for a reexamination of traditional notions of conquest in light of modern developments and the uncertain future facing the world.

Albert Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus | A Sketch: Conquest and the Conquerer | Philosophy Core Concepts Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 hi this is Dr Gregory Sadler I'm a professor of philosophy and the president and founder of an educational consulting company called reason iio where we put philosophy into practice I've studied and taught Philosophy for over 20 years and I find that many people run into difficulties reading classic philosophical texts sometimes it's the way things are said or how the text is structured but the concepts themselves are not always that complicated and that's where I come in to help students and lifelong Learners
• 00:30 - 01:00 I've been producing longer lecture videos and posting them to YouTube many viewers say they find them useful what you're currently watching is part of a new series of shorter videos each of them focused on One Core concept from an important philosophical text I hope you find it useful as well the third of the sketches or examples that kamu is providing to us in the second part of his work the myth of Copus illustrating different potential
• 01:00 - 01:30 ethics of quantity is titled conquest and it is about the Conqueror but there is a very interesting set of twists that kamu is going to bring to this topic what we might imagine particularly with the you know beginning with Dan juanism focusing on Dan Juan is we're going to look at people who are in fact conquerors or adventurers and that's where they're Laing their ideas and Kam
• 01:30 - 02:00 kamu is going to say well you know conquerors live in a different world now a different configuration if they are actually using their intelligence then they had been in the past there are certain possibilities that have been we might say closed off so he's going to begin with this address or discourse in quotes from the Conqueror and the
• 02:00 - 02:30 Conqueror says don't assume that because I love action I've forgotten how to think on the contrary I can thoroughly Define what I believe I believe it firmly I see it surely and clearly and he goes on and says I don't have many opinions at the end of a life a person notices they've spent years becoming sure of a single truth but a single truth if it's obvious that's enough to guide an existence as for me I decide ly
• 02:30 - 03:00 have something to say about the individual one must speak of him bluntly and if need be with the appropriate contempt and then he goes on and says a person is more a person through the things they keep to themselves than those uh which they say there are many things I shall keep to myself but I firmly believe all those who have judged the individual have done so with less experience than we on which to base their judgment so what is going to be
• 03:00 - 03:30 his his Judgment of the individual he's going to contrast our modern era with earlier times so he says um it was possible for ancient Nations and even for more recent ones down to our age to weigh one against the other virtues of society so something acknowledged as social and the individual and which would take priority which would serve
• 03:30 - 04:00 the other as he says and he says that um that was possible by virtue of that stubborn aberration in man's heart According to which human beings were created to serve or be served there's a kind of motif that runs throughout human relations and connections that creates a hierarchy that that asserts one over the other one will serve one will be served
• 04:00 - 04:30 one will rule one will be ruled but he points out another important feature as well it was possible to have this conflict between the virtues of the society and the individual and trying to figure it out why because neither Society nor the individual had yet revealed all their ability we live in a time when we can't say that society and the human individual revealed all of their capacity ities but we know a lot
• 04:30 - 05:00 more now than we did then things have become more interconnected and he talks about a seeming contradiction between what he calls secular uh turmoils and eternal values and he gives you a few examples I've seen bright Minds Express astonishment at the masterpieces of Dutch painters born at the height of bloody wars in Flanders I've been Amazed by the prayers of Ian Mystics brought up during the
• 05:00 - 05:30 frightful 30 Years War so these were some really devastating battles and wars that were going on and yet people could paint these beautiful religious themes or write about their religious experiences in the very heart of that is that still available to us now I mean some people do withdraw from society into their dreams or hopes or things like that but he uses terms like our
• 05:30 - 06:00 Modern Age our Machine Age our mobilized age and you know this is coming after a World War I you know World War II is is you know took a long time to develop and all sorts of atrocities were taking place as well and there's an uncertain future that you know runs ahead of us you could say in our own time and we haven't actually finished up with this
• 06:00 - 06:30 right there there are people who when for example the Cold War ended and the Soviet Union you know broke up into different nations and the Velvet Revolution happened and Eastern Europe was freed of uh Warsaw PCT and the Soviet yoke and they were there were people who were like ah end of History everything's going to be great going forward from now on is that the case no and so kamu is talking about our time just as much as his time he says the
• 06:30 - 07:00 painters of today are deprived of such Serenity even if they have the heart the Creator needs a closed heart it's of no use for everyone including the saint himself is mobilized at every form that miscarries in the trenches every outline metaphor of prayer crushed under steel the Eternal loses around and then here's where the Conqueror uh is going to commit
• 07:00 - 07:30 himself conscious I cannot stand aloof from my time I've decided to be an integral part of it so this is going to be a different kind of conqueror this is why I esteem the individual because he strikes me as ridiculous and humiliated knowing there are no Victorious causes I have a liking for lost causes they require an uncontaminated Soul equal to its defeat as to its temporary victories and he goes on to say for anyone who feels bound up with this world's Fate
• 07:30 - 08:00 The Clash of civilizations has something agonizing about it I have made that anguish mind and at the same time I wanted to join in between history and the Eternal or contemplation and action I have actually made my choice I've chosen history because I like certainties I can be certain of it and you know I can't deny this Force crushing me choosing between
• 08:00 - 08:30 contemplation and action he says this is called becoming a man these wrenches are Dreadful but for a proud heart there can be no compromise there is God or this time the Eternal or history the cross or the sword this world has a higher meaning that transcends its worries its concerns its anguish or nothing is true but those worries I will go with those worries and
• 08:30 - 09:00 he says that you know you can compromise and live in the world while believing in the Eternal that's called accepting lots of people do that that's not for me I refuse to do that I want all or nothing if I choose action don't think that contemplation is an unknown country to me but it cannot give me everything and deprived of the Eternal I want to Ally myself with time he says so we get a
• 09:00 - 09:30 picture of a very different sort of conqueror and then the next section he begins by saying conquerors know that action is in itself useless so why do they devote themselves to action he says there's only one useful action and it is remaking man and the Earth and then he says I'll never remake man I'll never change human nature or you could say fundamentally reorder Society or the
• 09:30 - 10:00 relations between countries or anything like that that's not going to happen but I must act as if I can still do things those are not bereft of meaning allog together even if I can't change the trajectory of History it's not going to have some you know guaranteed Eternal meaning to the things that I do but I have to behave as if I have to commit myself he says even
• 10:00 - 10:30 humiliated the flesh is my only certainty I can live only on it this is why I have chosen this absurd and ineffectual effort this is why I'm on the side of the struggle the Epic lends itself to this and again he's going to make a really important contrast between previous conquerors and the Conqueror of the present he says before the greatness of a conqueror was geographical it was measured by the extent of the conquered
• 10:30 - 11:00 territories there's a reason why the word has changed in meaning and ceased to signify the Victorious General the Conqueror is no longer Alexander the Great you know Conquering the entire Persian Empire pushing all the way to the boundaries of India being stopped there coming back to Babylon oh he dies what a shame what would he have accomplished if he had lived well just more territories he wouldn't have changed human
• 11:00 - 11:30 nature as a matter of fact he was trying to do some sort of interesting project of fusing Greek and Persian culture together but let's say he'd succeeded in that let's say he' lived to 60 and started diplomatic relations between his massive Empire which hadn't broken up into successor States and the uh Indian states that he was engaged in or he'd even gone west and conquered Rome or something like that well
• 11:30 - 12:00 great but that's irrelevant for the present we can have people who want to conquer they can conquer in terms of land they can conquer by being CEOs of Mega corporations that buy up all of their competitors that's not what Kimu is talking about here so what does the Conqueror actually look like he says greatness has changed Camp it lies in protest and the the blind alley
• 12:00 - 12:30 sacrifice it's not through a preference for defeat this is not being sad you know pitying oneself uh being a you know taking on the role of the loser or anything like that no it's trying to do something but realizing the conditions in which one works he says Victory would be desirable but there's only one victory in it's Eternal I'm not going to have that nobody's going to have that frankly and so he t talks about
• 12:30 - 13:00 Revolution um he uses the the example of Prometheus A revolution is always accomplished Against The Gods the Eternal beginning with the revolution of Prometheus the first notice this the first of modern conquerors you might say well how the hell is Prometheus a modern conqueror first of all he doesn't exist he's a made up you know Greek God we don't believe in any of that stuff today and even if you did exist he would exist
• 13:00 - 13:30 way back then in ancient times well he's eminently modern because he does Revolt even knowing that his Revolt is not going to be successful and he doesn't Revolt just to be a jerk or to stir things up he revolts in favor of humankind who the gods are not behaving towards as they should he gives them fire to help them out so he he goes on and he says that I can seese the spirit
• 13:30 - 14:00 of you know the time only in its historical act that's where I make contact with it and he says don't assume I take pleasure in it Opposite the Eternal contrad or the essential contradiction I maintain my human contradiction so there's more than one kind of contradiction in play this is what later on kamu will call metaphysical Revolt right so maintaining the human contradiction through Revolt
• 14:00 - 14:30 through not placing um sort of a value in Hope for something better to come along um acting in the present he talks about Lucidity here at this point he says that I establish my Lucidity in the midst of what negates it I exalt man before what crushes him my freedom my Revolt my passion come together then in that tension that Lucidity and that vast
• 14:30 - 15:00 repetition then he talks about vanquishing and overcoming so you know old school conquerors would Vanquish overcome other nations perhaps the people struggling with power in their own Nation they take it over they become the ruler and kamu says well I mean people still do that today but true vanquishing or overcoming now is is of
• 15:00 - 15:30 oneself he says every man has felt himself to be the equal of God at certain moments but this comes from the the fact that in a Flash he felt the amazing Grandeur of the human mind the conquerors are merely those among men who are conscious enough of their strength to be sure of living constantly on those Heights and fully aware of that Grandeur they are capable of more but they are capable of no more than man himself when he wants so they never leave the human
• 15:30 - 16:00 Crucible he says they don't become Gods right and here he'll talk about transitory riches we we can experience riches Within action within this life but they're always going to be just of a certain time he says that there is one luxury for them that of human relations we find meaning in our relations with other human beings he
• 16:00 - 16:30 says how can one fail to realize that in this vulnerable universe everything that is human and solely human assumes a more Vivid meaning taught faces threatened fraternity strong and Chase friendship among men these are true riches why not because they are Eternal values they are transitory it is their very transitoriness that makes them Val valuable he says in their midst the mind
• 16:30 - 17:00 is most aware of its powers and limitations its e efficacity its ability to do something even if just for a moment and then he says something that I really like some have spoken of Genius but genius is easy to say I prefer the intelligence right it lights up this desert and dominates it it knows its obligations and illustrates them genius is a throwaway term that so many people use in the present they just blather on
• 17:00 - 17:30 about it kamu is saying hey in my own time people are using this what I prefer is to see people thinking thinking things through through their action not some mythical genius thing that is basically just for you know PR people and public consumption and then he's going to say we're not ignorant of the fact that all churches are against us and all churches Divine or political l claim to the Eternal happiness and
• 17:30 - 18:00 courage retribution or Justice are secondary ends for them it's a Doctrine they bring we're interested in happiness and courage retribution and justice but we're not going to see those happen entirely within the lifetime we have and we're not going to get another lifetime after this where those are going to happen either and so he says at the end of everything is death death and graveyards so you know H what should we make of these he's going to contrast
• 18:00 - 18:30 ugly and beautiful graveyards against each other and he says that people beautify what they Love and Death repels us so you know um he goes on and he says in the rebels Universe this is a very interesting line death exalts Injustice it is the Supreme abuse death of many who have that death imposed on them taking away all of their possibilities death of even the
• 18:30 - 19:00 Conqueror who is going to die like everybody else then he goes on any talk ask about others without compromising have chosen the Eternal and denounced the illusion of this world their Cemetery smile amidst numerous flowers and birds and he says the Conqueror is fine with that they don't need to like destroy that that gives them an image of what it is that they've actually rejected they've they've chosen the black iron fence or The Potter's
• 19:00 - 19:30 field The Potter's field is where people are buried who are poppers or not identified uh you know you could also say it's where uh the soldiers or revolutionaries often get buried as well there's no memory of them and the Conqueror is okay with them winding up there because that is a certain sort of solidarity with everybody else he says
• 19:30 - 20:00 that you know the best among the men of God sometimes are seized with fright fingle mingled with consideration and pity for Minds that can live with such an image of their death um Our Fate stands before us and we provoke God him less out of Pride than out of awareness of our ineffectual condition so the Conqueror winds up being somebody very different than what we might at First Imagine they
• 20:00 - 20:30 we could actually call them the committed person of action that might be a better title but kamu is choosing this to you might say revalue and have us rethink what it is to be a conqueror in this modern mobilized mechanized age which is marked by awareness of the Absurd e