Letter_to_a_European_Philosopher

November 8, 2010 Dear Mr. Albert Camus, I am writing to you because I found your reasoning on our “existential predicament” quite an interesting logic. From your teachings I have found that one of your principle theses includes your reasoning that life as we know it is absurd. It is my understanding that you came to this conclusion based on all the hatred and killings taking place all around the world. Although I agree with you on the fact that there is an immense amount of violence and murder in our society, I respectfully disagree with you to the extent that the world in nothing but this hatred you speak of. Perhaps you feel this way because of your personal experiences and struggles as a young child. However, I believe that there exist happiness and good in the hearts of many people. You argued that warmth and contact is an essential human need that is not met in this world of existence. Nevertheless, it has been proven that many people have come together to assist those in desperate need of help. This help provided warmth and comfort for those in need from complete strangers. Based on your analysis of the world, this act of compassion would not have taken place. This brings me to your other point, that suicide is an unacceptable offense committed by the weak-minded. I agree that suicide is an act that should not happen however, I believe that this act is done by people who are mentally sick and not weak-minded. Studies have shown that well more than half of all suicides are usually the result of a psychiatric disorder, the majority being from depression. Luckily, there are ways to treat and control these disorders and potentially prevent suicide from taking place. Despite our differences, I truly admire your way of thinking and how you portrayed your thoughts through writing plays and theater. I especially enjoyed one of your most famous works, The Plague, 1947. I could not help but see the similarities between an infections medical plague, and how you portrayed civilization suffering from a plague of hatred that kills many and sickens all. Thank you for your thoughts and contributions to our society, as well as the time you took to read this letter. Sincerely,