Original scientific paper

Albert Camus and the Ethical Epoché

Dragan Prole orcid.org/0000-0002-9305-4838 ; University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Philosophy, Novi Sad, Serbia

Abstract

The first part of the paper presents the phenomenological motives of Camus’ “theoretical” opus. Putting forward the problem of absurdity, the phenomenon of strangeness, and the possibility of rebellion, Camus emphasised that his phenomenological interest is not aimed at fulfilling the programme of strict science, but towards possibilities of thinking that arise after the critique of the absolute subjectivity. By rejecting the ideal of apodictic certainty, Camus brings forward the thesis on mutual entanglement of self-consciousness and experience of strangeness. Hence, his notion of thinking no longer speaks about reconciliation and correspondence, but about repeated learning to see and expansion of reason. In the second part of the paper the author indicates why the feeling of absurdity drives humans to search for a new morality. This search is phenomenologically inspired because absurdity, as a negation or a rejection of status quo, can be interpreted in the spirit of the ethical epoché. On the other hand, Camus’ revolt has the function of phenomenological reduction, because it points subjectivity towards a kind of ethical affirmation, towards intersubjectively shared solidarity. In the centre of this intersubjectivity is the rebellion against historically experienced evil, on the grounds of which Camus tried to encourage new ways of interpersonal solidarity and community.

Keywords

Albert Camus; absurdity; rebellion; solidarity; ethical epoché

Hrčak ID:

138246

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/138246

Publication date:

26.11.2014.

Article data in other languages: croatian french german

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