Albert Camus : filozof ludzkiej (bez)nadziei

The aim of the following essay is to present the concept of hope included in the philosophic work of Albert Camus. In the essay, I contest the classification of Camus as an atheistic thinker; without interpreting the sum of his work as theistic philosophy, similarly to Thomas Merton, I define Camus as a "religious thinker". After describing the most important concepts of the French philosopher of the absurd and of metaphysical rebellion, I move on to the characteristics of a concept closely associated with the two aforementioned ones - hope. Hope, as understood by Camus, springs from rebellion against the pervasive evil that is defined in interpersonal injustice, indifference, and hatred, and which concludes in death. It is precisely the issue of death and the inability to provide absolute answers regarding the existence or nonexistence of God that lead to the theme of hope, which is fulfilled in interpersonal love and ethical heroism towards the overwhelming despair, strictly related to death.