Res. Asst. Dr. Merve Arlı Özekes from Üsküdar University Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Department of Philosophy, delivered a speech titled “A Philosophy of Absurd Existence” within the scope of World Philosophy Day held at İTÜ ETA Foundation Doğa College Bostancı Campus. Preference Promotion Specialist Ertuğrul Tut from the Corporate Communications Department also attended the speech.
“Existentialist philosophy evaluates human beings not as an “essence” but as an existence”
Speaking about the concept of “absurd” (absurd, nonsensical) which French philosopher Albert Camus introduced to existentialist philosophy, Res. Asst. Dr. Merve Arlı Özekes used the following expressions: “Existentialist philosophy evaluates human beings not as an 'essence' but as an existence. This primarily opens up a space of freedom for humans. Humans are not determined by external or transcendental powers. Therefore, their existence is in their own hands. This brings both freedom and responsibility.”
“Life itself is too absurd to fit into any mold of meaning”
Res. Asst. Dr. Merve Arlı Özekes continued her speech as follows: “Albert Camus explains the human relationship with the world through the concept of 'absurdity'. Absurdity, in fact, emerges in the human relationship with the world. It is primarily a feeling. This feeling manifests for the modern individual in the monotony of life. Life itself is too absurd to fit into any mold of meaning. But this does not make it worthless. On the contrary, for this reason, life is more valuable.”
“From the feeling of “absurdity” arises not despair, but a passion for life”
Emphasizing that the feeling of “absurdity” should not evoke helplessness, Res. Asst. Dr. Merve Arlı Özekes said: “The emergence of the feeling of 'absurdity' should not create an end or helplessness. Humans, merely by existing, must resist the monotony and ordinariness of life and persist in it with hope, just as Sisyphus persistently carried a rock to the top of a mountain forever, as told in The Myth of Sisyphus. Albert Camus states that true freedom lies in the attitude adopted against helplessness, monotony, and ordinariness. Thus, from the feeling of 'absurdity' arises not despair, but a passion for life.”
