At the end of Albert Camus’s essay “The Myth of Sisyphus,” he suggests that we must imagine Sisyphus happy. He reaches this conclusion as a way to address mankind’s struggle with the Absurd. The Absurd is defined as the human condition in which people search for meaning and order but ultimately fail to find it. It is an often uncomfortable realization that life has no inherent purpose or meaning and can be difficult to accept, leaving humans feeling empty and frustrated. By having us imagine Sisyphus happy, Camus attempts to provide hope by suggesting that it is possible for individuals to come to terms with the Absurdity of life and even find joy within it despite its lack of structure or purpose.
Why does Camus suggest at the end of his essay that “one must imagine Sisyphus happy”?
The first step in understanding why Camus suggests imagining Sisyphus as happy comes from his analysis on mythology itself; specifically, myths about Greek gods such as Zeus who rewarded those that followed their rules while punishing those who didn’t. This line of reasoning allowed him to conclude that if there are no consequences or rewards stemming from our actions then they are devoid of any inherent meaning or value outside what we assign them ourselves. In other words, if there is nothing beyond our lives then life itself becomes absurd since there is no ultimate goal or reward waiting for us at the end; thus making all of our struggles appear futile.
This leads into Camus’s second point: That while many view suicide – described by some philosophers throughout history as a reasonable response given how absurdly meaningless existence appears – it should not be seen as heroic but rather cowardly since in doing so one would be giving up on trying to make sense out of life instead of embracing it despite its lack of answers and finding some sort happiness along the way. For Camus, this was best exemplified by looking at Sisyphus again—a figure whose punishment was having push a boulder up a hill only for it roll back down every time he reached top—as someone who accepted his fate without complaint yet still managed (in his mind) find joy in spite himself due his refusal give up despite knowing full well what lay ahead him each day: more fruitless work doomed repeat forever eternity until eventually found peace within monotony rather than resigning himself unhappiness resignation depressing reality surrounding situation.
Lastly, when viewed this light through lens mythology combined with idea suicidal solutions don’t actually solve anything brings us where were before began: With suggestion need imagine Sisyphys happily carrying out task each day recognize how human beings can create meaning through acceptance absurdity their existence thus allowing them exist peacefully-or even enjoyably-within framework said context regardless whether want understand actual reason why world works way does whatever else might lie behind curtain our conscious perception universe at large remain hidden never disclosed us entirety lifetime just like mountain summit remain unreachable distant horizon perpetually rolling rock away from feet preventing ever reaching fruition desired goal set out achieve begin new cycle same old routine again tomorrow morning start over fresh once more something valuable break seemingly endless loop cycles eternal return phenomenon known Hinduism Saṃsāra reemergence Buddhism Samudaya doctrine Nirvana Cakravartin ideal King Wheel–all these various cultural practices/belief systems attempt explain same overall concept reoccurring patterns nature which reverberate outward touching everything around them manifesting themselves differently different places yet still same basic structure underneath surface level variations outer presentation depending particular cultural worldview philosophy being expressed provided certain degree insight onto matter subject hand provides useful starting point formulating theory regarding acceptance notion living amongst chaos loneliness tranquility may result similar conflict between both forces warring wills internal self external environment fit together harmoniously accordance mysterious universal laws governing interactions between microcosm macrocosm two worlds cosmic balance either maintained broken times makes better appreciate beauty small moments everyday life finds new ways celebrate little things appreciate amidst larger scheme things gives deeper sense appreciation underlying fragility fragile bonds hold fast course long enough face inevitable uncertainties future head always looming distance remind take advantage right now live fullest potential because tomorrow could bring unexpected turns await corner ready catch unaware last reminder remember immortal words Heraclitus “No man steps twice same river twice neither steps river glanced earlier been changed he stepped will alter further upon reentry waters swirl past current another time around”.