Date of Award

1982

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Abstract

These two themes of happiness and justice are of a paramount importance in Camus' work. We shall study the correlation (if any) of both themes in different stages of the author's ideological development, defining their various combinations to determine Camus' scale of values.;In the first chapter we examine the happiness of being or self-recognition, with its ideal of authenticity.;In the the second chapter we analyse the notion of the absurd, the dual nature of the external world confronting reason.;In the third chapter we examine the three consequences of the absurd. What does the ideal of revolt imply? Individual happiness entails the happiness of all which in turn supposes a rational system of distributive justice guaranteeing individual and general happiness. Here begins the happiness of loving.;In the fourth chapter we examine the problem of evil which is at the heart of revolt.;In the fifth chapter we analyse Camus' attitude towards capital punishment, his symbol of human injustice.;In the sixth chapter we examine good and bad systems of combating the absurd.;In the seventh chapter we isolate La Chute. Is Clamence's treason that of Camus' humanistic values?;We conclude that Camus evolves from the happiness of being with its just ideal of authenticity, to the happiness of loving with that of a rational system of distributive justice, to reach the happiness of creating in which art proper endeavours to sublimate happiness and justice in the cosmic ideal of unity.

Share

COinS
 
 

To view the content in your browser, please download Adobe Reader or, alternately,
you may Download the file to your hard drive.

NOTE: The latest versions of Adobe Reader do not support viewing PDF files within Firefox on Mac OS and if you are using a modern (Intel) Mac, there is no official plugin for viewing PDF files within the browser window.