Myth of Sisyphus
by Albert Camus, Daniel Ortega · first published 2016
51% recommend46% neutral3% critical
Why HN recommends it
Readable philosophical essay on the absurd: how to find meaning and live well in an indifferent universe. Recommended for anyone facing existential angst, and as a companion that deepens reading The Stranger.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
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…by Silvanus Thompson >>>> Nonfiction - The Personal MBA - The Element by Ken Robinson - Long Walk to Freedom (autobiography by Nelson Mandela) - So Good They Can't Ignore You by Cal Newport - The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus - A Briefd History of Time - The Google Story >>>> Fiction - Atlas Shrugged - The Fault in Our Stars - The Hobbit - Rose Madder by Stephen King - A Storm of Swords (Game of Thrones…
on “Tell HN: I live in Moscow and I want to give away some cool books” ↗""Or really bored with the work assigned." == lack of commitment to work." Ever read The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus? If not, you should Google it.
on “How good were you at college?” ↗…and it's neither my business nor my concern whether or not you pass on your particular genes, I just can't resist this discussion. Related reading if you're interested: Albert Camus (The Stranger, The Myth of Sisyphus), Sartre (Nausea, Being and Nothingness)
on “An Awesome Book” ↗The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus is extremely readable and a classic of modern nihilistic thought. I'd also recommend Nietzsche's The Genealogy of Morals. It's not his most famous work, but it's pretty widely acclaimed…
on “Ask HN: Can anyone recommend some philosophy reading?” ↗The Watchmen, although technically a comic book Alan Moore tackles a lot of complex existential issues. Also, The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus. How does one find meaning in life in a meaningless world? www.goodreads.com has a lot of great reviews/suggestions as well
on “What book has inspired you the most?” ↗Just read "Meditations" by Marcus Aurelius, and "The Myth of Sisyphus" by Albert Camus. This article hints at both - and they were my biggest eye-openers on the question of how* to live.
on “The Age of Absurdity: Why Modern Life Makes It Hard to Be Happy (2010)” ↗For existentialism/absurdism, you should probably include The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus
on “Ask HN: Learning about philosophy” ↗Albert Camus wrote a beautiful (IMHO, at least) book about it, The Myth of Sisyphus. His point, as I understand it, is that nothing matters in the sense that the universe is vast and empty does not care what happens to you or me. But that also means we get to choose what matters to us.…
on “The universe has already made almost all the stars it will ever make” ↗You might enjoy reading The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus. It changed my opinion on almost exactly this topic.
on “Under anesthesia, where do our minds go?” ↗…her books (makes me view other people in an entirely different light - maybe these books should be way on top of my list) Richard Dawkins - Blind Watchmaker (Evolution shows everywhere) Albert Camus - Myth of Sisyphus (although I only read the first couple of pages, still seems the only approach to the "meaning of life" possible. Helped me against depression) Walt Disney (or actually Carl Barks) - Donald Duck stories,…
on “Books That Changed My Life” ↗Albert Camus' Myth of Sisyphus had a profound influence on me. Very roughly, Camus says, the universe does not care about you (or anything) at all, and life has no meaning in the sense we were looking for. _But_ we can make our lives…
on “How to Be a Stoic” ↗“The Myth of Sisyphus” by Albert Camus, if you find yourself worrying about existential nihilism then this is the book for you. I found it extremely useful after an intense psychedelic experience. The School of Life has a…
on “Ask HN: Which books have made you introspect?” ↗Tao Te Ching by Lao Tzu, translated by Gia-fu Feng and Jane English. This book is wonderfully calming, don't worry about what it means, just soak in it. I'll also add another vote for The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus and for Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance by Robert Pirsig. On a darker note, if you had any illusions left, Gravity's Rainbow by Thomas Pynchon.
on “Ask HN: Which books have made you introspect?” ↗…Murakami talking about his decision to become an author and also his lifelong hobby of running. 2. Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls - David Sedaris Made me laugh for the first time in awhile. 3. The Myth of Sisyphus - Albert Camus Absurdity.
on “Ask HN: Which books have made you introspect?” ↗What helped me with regard to that was reading the first three pages of "The myth of Sisyphus" by Albert Camus. I never even read the book further than that.
on “Loving Someone with Depression” ↗