James Hoar Portfolio

     Albert Camus was an absurd man with absurd perspectives. Therefore, what would he think about the very absurd situation that humans have put themselves in? As the world grapples with the global water crisis, Camus’s existential philosophy offers a looking glass through which we can examine the complexities of this pressing environmental issue. We can draw insight through Camus’ life, personality, and philosophical framework to understand what Camus would think. Through analysis of his existential concepts of absurdity, commitment to moral integrity,  his reflections on absurdity and human resilience, and analysis of his work "The Plague” it can be predicted what Camus would think of the challenges posed by water scarcity and environmental degradation.

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     Camus would want to solve the water crisis based on his existentialist beliefs. Existentialism is a philosophical approach that emphasizes an individual's existence as a free and responsible agent, determining their actions through their own free will (Oxford English Dictionary). Albert Camus was a committed believer in existentialist philosophy as pointed out by Claude-Helene Mayer in her work “Albert Camus – A Psychobiographical Approach in Times of Covid-19”. Mayer is a Professor of Industrial and Organizational Psychology at the Department of Industrial Psychology (Mayer). In her work, she discusses how Camus’ teachings and writing can relate to the covid 19 pandemic, many of which can be translated to the global water crisis. One particular connection she draws is a theory based on Camus’ teachings called Terror Management Theory (TNT), which essentially states “The anxiety to die is overcome by believing in the meaningfulness of one's life, positive and peaceful relationships and uncertainty avoidance”(Mayer). This existentialist theory can be used to explain what we should do about the water crisis since humans are generally driven to survive, and, needless to say, if humans run out of water we will not survive. This fear will naturally drive humans to take action to survive and create positive change in the world. Due to this theory, Camus would also be likely to think that humans would naturally gravitate toward solutions to the water crisis.

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    Albert Camus's commitment to moral integrity and human decency also provides a framework for understanding his potential stance on environmental degradation. This moral integrity can also be classified as ethics, guidelines Camus did not specifically record but that are easily inferred from his affinity for sportsmanship and his belief of its effect on ethics as he stated “and he believes that the code of good sportsmanship is a fine teacher of decency”(Rolo). One facet of this philosopher's ethical framework includes the complexities of human solidarity. Humans seek shared experience, particularly when faced with concepts of the absurd. His writings seemingly urge society to recognize the value of support and empathy, qualities needed to solve the water crisis today. This ethical principle is supported by an article from the Atlantic magazine, May 1958, written by Charles J. Rolo who worked for several investment concerns, wrote two books, served as a war correspondent and spent 13 years as literary editor of the Atlantic Monthly. He claims, “... by revolting against oppression men affirm that they have a value in common, thereby establishing human solidarity”(Rolo). Camus learned from harrowing, personal experience that one of the most complex yet valuable parts of society is justice, equity, and compassion. His commitments to justice and equity would promote equal access to water in specific marginalized communities while his values of compassion would address the common interest of human suffering.

     

     Despite the absurdity, Camus claims that humans are capable of both resilience and hope, another ethical principle in favor of solving the water crisis by providing a common goal for humanity. Camus admitted, “This world in itself is not reasonable, that is all that can be said” as seen in an article from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Camus delicately navigates the dichotomy between the reflections on absurdity and the human capacity for resilience and hope, and this is particularly applicable in seemingly hopeless situations such as the global water crisis. This navigation summarizes the existentialism philosophy as a whole, grappling with the tensions of life's underscoring unmeaningfulness contrasted by humanity's need for purpose. This clash is the concept Camus defines as absurdity while still addressing the core values humanity must seek to thrive. Despite this acknowledgment, through years of analysis, researchers and enthusiasts alike can observe the hopeful tone that underscores the entirety of Camus’ writings. 

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     In his Work “The Plague” Camus addresses situations parallel to what humans might encounter through the global water crisis. In contrast to the previously stated notion that people will be naturally driven to correct the pressing concerns of the water crisis, their ignorance could naturally counteract this instinct. As Camus says in this work “But they are more or less ignorant and this is what one calls vice or virtue, the most appalling vice being the ignorance that thinks it knows everything and which consequently authorizes itself to kill”(Camus). In large, one of the main proponents of the water crisis is people’s ignorance of it. Since people do not know it is happening, they have no drive to solve the crisis. As humans, it is impossible to be completely without ignorance and Camus does address this and believes people should live with some degree of “calculated ignorance,”(Ronald). While humans can have some “calculated ignorance” it is also important to see beyond one’s personal sphere of knowledge as to avoid catastrophic predicaments like the global water crisis.

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     While Camus viewed existence as meaningless, his belief in the essential human values provided direction and ambition for the water crisis, suggesting that he would encourage society to take part in solving this denaturalization despite the resolve of human ignorance. To solve contemporary world affairs, one must first examine history to learn from mistakes or principles. Learning from philosophers is impertinent to solving international issues, providing insight and guidance without the burden of current policy.  As Camus famously said, “The only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion.” so we must make ourselves free of our mental constraints. However, he also shows the importance of seeing beyond the confines of one’s personal sphere so as to avoid the chains of ignorance. It is this encouragement that is needed to solve the global water crisis and call humanity to take action for the sake of the common good. 

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Works Cited

Aronson, Ronald. “Albert Camus.” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy, Stanford University,

13 Dec. 2021, plato.stanford.edu/entries/camus/.

Accessed 1 May 2024

Camus, Albert. The Plague. 1948. Penguin , 2002

The Plague by Albert Camus... Prologue. www.youtube.com. Audiobook.     

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ip7wqilZW_M. Accessed 1 Feb. 2023.

Accessed 1 May 2024

Mayer, Claude-Hélène. “Albert Camus – a Psychobiographical Approach in Times of Covid-19.” Frontiers,

 15 Feb. 2021, www.frontiersin.org/journals/psychology/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.644579/full.

Accessed 1 May 2024

"Existentialism, n1.” Oxford English Dictionary Online, June 2016,

oed.com.db29.linccweb.org/view/Entry/ 178498?rskey=KMsv72&result=1#contentWrapper.

Accessed 5 May, 2024.

Rolo, Charles J. “Albert Camus: A Good Man.” The Atlantic, Atlantic Media Company, 24 June

2022,www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/1958/05/albert-camus-a-good-man/640286/             Accessed 1 May 2024

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