Abstract
This project explores multiple responses to the question of life’s apparent ultimate senselessness, which is essentially the notion that there are not reasons, from the human perspective, for many of the events of our lives. The first chapter, “Camusian Response to Life’s Senselessness,” focuses on Albert Camus’ The Myth of Sisyphus, which delves into the absurd nature of life. Camus provides revolt and persistence in response to life’s senselessness. The second chapter, “Stoicism as a Response to Life’s Senselessness,” focuses on Seneca’s stoic response, providing the virtue of temperance as a means of confronting life’s absurdity. These first two chapters mainly use the lens of tragedy to understand absurdity. The third and final chapter, “Gracious Playfulness as a Response to Life’s Senselessness,” focuses on finding a different avenue with which to explore life’s senselessness that engages with the humorous side of absurdity rather than only responding to tragedy.
Advisor
Riley, Evan
Department
Philosophy
Recommended Citation
Neal, Mary, "How Should We Respond to Life’s Senselessness?: Absurdity, Stoicism, and Playfulness" (2024). Senior Independent Study Theses. Paper 10876.
https://openworks.wooster.edu/independentstudy/10876
Publication Date
2024
Degree Granted
Bachelor of Arts
Document Type
Senior Independent Study Thesis
© Copyright 2024 Mary Neal