Sleasman, B (n.d.). A Philosophy of Communication as the
Absurd: Albert Camus and the Ethics of Everyday. Tiffin, Oh: Tiffin University.
Absurdity:
-
When some concludes:
o
Who had thought a total explanation of existence
could be found by the mind.
o
Discovers a gulf between rationality and
existence.
-
It is the difference between how we wish the
world to be against the harsh reality of the world.
-
The reverse is true as well.
Essay Thesis:
-
How can the absurd help human communication in
engaging a historical moment form an ethical perspective.
o
Framework:
§
Metaphor of the absurd.
§
Philosophy of Communication.
§
Communication ethics.
We tend to replace politics with morality.
-
Camus was interested in deep philosophical ideas
revealed in everyday life.
-
He distanced himself form most labels.
-
He believed words and actions should be
consistent.
-
It is not just a word, but the human condition
is absurd.
It is important to understands one’s viewpoint:
-
Godamer:
o
The horizon – the range of vision from a
particular vantage point.
o
When one recognizes a bias, they see how they
fit in a larger narrative.
§
We limit our interpretation by our biases, but
once revealed
·
We become more open to other possibilities of
our biases.
Camus:
-
Absurdity is born at the confrontation between
the human cry and the world’s unreasoning silence.
o
This tension creates an effort to determine if
life holds any meaning.
o
This tension is prevalent in post-modern
thinking, but lacks a meta narrative.
o
The myth of Sisyphus reflects that life has no
meaning is illuminated by the metaphor of the absurd.
§
The differences between the search for clarity
and the character of an irrational world.
Realization of the absurd is a necessary step to generate
discovery that provides meaning.
However, applying ones narrative in context with a larger
narrative doesn’t necessarily work.
There is a tendency for our culture to seek a convenient
quick fix without taking time to consider the ethical impact.
-
Decisions based on personal desires and personal
preferences without considering the larger narrative.
-
If one is not grounded, then past decisions
affect future decisions.
o
One ground fallacy after another.
Camus wanted to use the absurdity metaphor to express his
foundation as well as provide a framework for meaning of his own existence.
-
Kept to everyday real experiences.
Camus used everyday experiences:
-
With the metaphor of the absurd
-
And in-line with his moment in history.
o
Turbulence of France (which is different than
post modern thought).
Philosophical Hermeneutics:
-
Theory of text interpretation.
-
Fundamental for our entire understanding of
things.
-
Derived from:
o
Interhuman communication to manipulation for
society.
o
Personal experience from society to how he
encounters society.
Point – Understanding comes from thoughts and experience.
Camus – Primary concern was on the content of communicative
exchanges more than the process.
-
Metaphor and response to the world was derived
from personal experience.
-
Believed content and actions should be the same.
-
Wanted to diminish bias to produce ethically
thoughtful responses to issues framed in the current historical narrative.
Exploring the metaphor of the absurd with the philosophy of
communication.
The decline of narratives create problems and opportunities
for effective communication.
-
The lack of universal awareness allows us the
opportunity to resituate.
-
Traditions develop through the emergence of
consistent patterns of social practices.
o
They are connected to private values.
-
Narrative and tradition play central roles in
understanding the post modern era.
-
Post modern – Meaning is found through
narratives or human experience.
Camus’s time was
between the modern and post modern eras.
-
Camus asked the right question – Where is
meaning found?
-
But came up with the wrong answer – From the self
over narratives and stories.
The metaphor of the absurd:
-
Provides a framework:
o
To approach the post modern world.
o
To make ethically informed decisions when
confronted with numerous options.
-
Approaching it through the Philosophy of
communication allows a reflective choice to be made by an informed participant
of the moment.
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