Good Morning Everyone!!

Happy Friday! The boulder is at the top of the hill, and now we can rest and watch it fall back down. Speaking of that boulder, let’s get into today’s topic.

Today we’ll be closing off our week of existentialism with Albert Camus’ message of courage. Putting it to good use, we’re going to reflect on the meaning of “revolt” in our own lives. Wrapping up this week with our Book Nook, we’re going to open up Camus’ The Myth of Sisyphus. I had a lot of fun this week and I hope you did too. Existentialism can be a scary but empowering rabbit hole to fall down and I really enjoyed exploring it with you all.

So let’s get into it! Thought Breakfast is served!

When we say the “absurd,” we mean the human longing for meaning in a silent, indifferent world. It’s not depression. It’s clarity without illusion. You’re escaping that matrix, as Neo would say. It’s part of the human experience to be aware of this kind of existential indifference, but most people make the mistake of trying to escape the tension. That manifests as false hope, denial, cynicism, etc. But the absurd is something to live with, not solve.

Albert Camus rejects two things: giving up and philosophical escape (false certainty). He introduces the idea of revolt. This doesn’t mean rebellion, but refusal to surrender consciousness. Revolt means staying awake, saying yes to life, and choosing engagement over withdrawal. It’s not loud, but a quiet, daily faithfulness.

In comes Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned, but not unconscious. When he is punished with the task of repeatedly pushing the boulder up the hill, he is still empowered. His power isn’t in hope, but in awareness. He knows that the task is endless, but still returns to it. This is Camus’ radical claim: the struggle itself is enough to fill a human heart. Meaning isn’t found at the top of the hill; it’s lived in the act of pushing.

Now we have the necessity of courage. Camus doesn’t describe courage as optimism, but as loving life unconditionally. That means creating meaning locally, choosing dignity in the face of uncertainty, and living fully even when answers never arrive.

Camus doesn’t promise us fulfillment. His philosophy promises honesty and dignity.

Ask yourself:

This helps us choose to live without asking why.

“The struggle itself toward the heights is enough to fill a man’s heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy.”
— Albert Camus, The Myth of Sisyphus

This is my witty reference at the beginning and end of every week. We are Sisyphus. Of course, more waits for us at the top of our hills. We go to work every day to be able to eat, live comfortably, support those we love, etc. But at some point, the daily task that we must complete becomes somewhat like Sisyphus’ boulder. We push through the week, and then feel content with the work we’ve done when the week is over. That’s the “struggle toward the heights” that Camus is talking about here.

“Happiness” here does not mean pleasure. The happiness that Camus awards Sisyphus is lucidity and consent. Sisyphus is free because he knows exactly his purpose—pushing the boulder. He doesn’t hope; he inhabits his situation.

So now we’ve spent a whole week talking solely about existentialism. Kierkegaard taught us responsibility. Dostoevsky taught us about the weight of freedom. Heidegger showed us that anxiety can actually provide clarity. Nietzsche showed us that we must create meaning through authorship. Now Camus sends us off, giving us the courage to live anyway. Existentialism isn’t meant to give us answers. It gives the world its spine, and where we go with it depends on ourselves.

Munch on that for today. Again, I had a lot of fun with this and I’m probably going to dive into these thinkers more in the future because it definitely left my thought belly full and content. I hope you all feel the same.

Remember, we’re on Instagram, Threads, and X! If you want me to cover any specific topics, ideas, or you just have any questions my DMs are open!! Have a great weekend, and come back on Monday for another, steaming hot Thought Breakfast menu!!

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Chef Ricky - Thought Breakfast