Pushing the rock

“The struggle itself towards the heights is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy.” - Albert Camus

The Myth of Sisyphus

Albert Camus on his book The Myth of Sisyphus introduced a thought experiment. Imagine if we are watching Sisyphus pushing a massive rock to the top of the mountain over and over again. Everyday to the end of time. For us, that’s absurd and pointless.

Imagine also that he stopped pushing for a while. To reflect on what he is doing. To ask what is the meaning of what he is doing. Most probably he will get the same result. Then he will have to continue pushing.

And about that, Camus is saying the only solution for Sisyphus is to choose to make this process of pushing the rock his all world. To decrease the desire of making meaning out of it. To make the rock “his thing.” To engage himself entirely in the process and “try” to enjoy the small details.

Of course, Camus meant that as a metaphor. The point is the reflection from time to time is right and essential. But overdoing it is a waste of experience and enjoyment. The solution for Sisyphus is to be engaged enough in the activities that can bring him joy, And if he doesn’t know any. Then his job is to try and try more things until he finds one. To find his rock then make it his thing.

See more:-

The Frankfurt school - Philosophize This!