The Stranger

I like to read books and articles Existentialism because it is the branch of philosophy that makes the most sense to me. The idea of man having the rightful power to control the world is one that (for a lack of a better word) empowers me. At the same time though, Existentialism laments the fall of man and the absurdity of our existence, it laments our discarding of the idea of God ("the murderers of murderers" - Nietzsche) which was suppose to give us dignity. Hence the examples of the two world wars were seen to be indicators of the fall of man from a species of dignity (made in the image of God) to barbaric cannibals that feast on the blood of the weaker brother.

The book The Stranger by Albert Camus reflects on the absurdity of our existence and the events that play out in our lives that may imprison or liberate us. The book follows a man that is hermit-like in his existence in that he never leaves his second floor apartment as the first section of the book presents him as a highly critical person that denigrates and insults the "vermin" of people below him. It wasn't until a young lady that he fancies invites him out to the beach that we see the man being truly tossed into the "absurdity" of his existence. Camus gives his readers a series of events that include a random "murder", a conversation with a priest, and a climatic showdown between religion (order) and Existentialism (anarchy/randomness/absurdity) that depict the wavering, but stubborn ground of Existential followers.

This book is a must read for anyone interested in understanding the tenants of the modern Western world as Existentialism has permeated into understanding of history, economics, and even religion itself. The Stranger presents itself as a sort of manifesto for anyone interested in Existentialist thought.