Eclipsing the Self: Unveiling Nietzschean Existentialism in Camus’s ‘The Stranger”
The thought-provoking landscape of Albert Camus’s “The Stranger” finds itself deeply entangled with the philosophical tenets of Friedrich Nietzsche, particularly those expressed in “Beyond Good and Evil.” Both works explore existentialism — a philosophy focused on individual freedom, choice, and subjectivity — in nuanced ways.
Nietzsche’s aphorism, “He who has a why to live can bear almost any how,” addresses the existential quest for meaning. The meaning or the ‘why,’ according to existentialist philosophy, is not given but must be created by the individual.
Meursault, the protagonist in “The Stranger,” exemplifies a lack of a defined ‘why,’ leading him into a state of existential angst. This angst becomes a disorienting experience that Nietzsche argues can render life meaningless or absurd.
Delving into the concept of pride, Nietzsche suggests that authentic self-worth is elusive: “One’s own self is well hidden from one’s own self; of all mines of treasure, one’s own is the last to be dug up.” In philosophical terms, this addresses the idea of self-deception, a pervasive obstacle in attaining self-understanding.
Meursault’s nonconformity to social mores — such as his indifference at his mother’s funeral — reveals a form of authentic pride derived not from societal validation but from internal autonomy. His pride, in existential terms, is an act of “bad faith,” a concept used by existentialists like Sartre to describe self-deception or inauthenticity.
In tackling prejudice, Nietzsche’s philosophy echoes an existentialist notion: the contingency of truths. He states, “There are no eternal facts, as there are no absolute truths.” which correlates with existentialism’s emphasis on the relativity of human values and beliefs. Meursault’s life becomes a case study in confronting the prejudices of society that label him as ‘other,’ thereby challenging established norms and questioning moral relativism.
The intertwining themes of “The Stranger” and Nietzsche’s “Beyond Good and Evil” encourage us to dissect existential concepts like individualism, authenticity, and the relativity of moral values. Together, they force us to confront the discomforting idea that life’s traditional compasses — pride, prejudice, and morality — may be constructs we should deconstruct.
I’ve found the interplay between Nietzsche’s existential philosophy and Camus’s “The Stranger” enlightening and eerily relevant. I live in a world saturated with social anticipation, constant digital feedback, and the allure of conforming to make life seemingly ‘easier’. Don’t these challenges posed by both Nietzsche and Camus resonate deeply?
They beckon us to question: How authentic is our individualism? Where does personal freedom end and social responsibility begin? And most importantly, how do we maintain our individual selves without falling into the abyss of existential despair?
These are not just academic questions but vital considerations for anyone grappling with the complexities of modern life. As we collectively chart our course through an ever-changing society, the themes extracted from Nietzsche’s philosophy and Camus’s narrative can serve as signposts, warning us of the perils of sightless conformity and the potential isolation that can come from radical individualism. In that tension, perhaps, lies the secret to a meaningful existence.
Sidenote –
Go Auburn University football!
