Sober Philosophy: Camus's The Myth of Sisyphus (Gabriel presents)

It is often said we are in the middle of a meaning crisis. Religiosity in developed countries is at a historic low, irony and nihilism thrive on the internet in fractured online spaces, and yet one yearns for meaning in this world of silence.

Camus wrestles with the consequences of this divide between humanity's desire for meaning and the lack of objective meaning in the universe, which he calls "the Absurd", in his essay "The Myth of Sisyphus", which opens by asking whether the Absurd obliges us to give up: is suicide the logical response? He sketches the idea of "the absurd man", who refuses both suicide and the false comfort of religion or hope, and finds freedom by living with the Absurd. What can we take from him?

OPENING ROUNDTABLE FORMAT (ORF):

1. The topic presenter begins the discussion by explaining why they are interested in the topic and some introductory thoughts on it.
2. Each participant in turn going clockwise from the presenter describes their general thoughts on the topic.
3. If one is not ready to speak they can just say “pass” and the next person speaks.
4. After we've gone around once anyone who passed will get a second chance to comment.
5. Once everyone has given opening remarks or passed twice, Opening Roundtable is completed and the meeting shifts into its main format.

TIMED DIRECTION FORMAT (TDRF>4):
If there are more than 4 people present we will use the format below.

1. We will divide up the timed direction discussion time by the number of participants plus one (for a buffer). A timer will be set for this amount of time.
2. Each participant in turn will become a Discussion Director and lead the group discussion.
3. If one is not ready to direct they dimply say “pass” and the next person becomes the Discussion Director.
4. Anyone who arrives after step 1 (above), may participate but will not get a turn as Discussion Director.
5. The Discussion Director can make statements or ask questions, or interrupt or redirect the discussion at their discretion.
6. The discussion participants can state their own opinions only when asked by the Discussion Director, not Interrupt others and accede to the Discussion Director’s interruptions or redirections.
7. When the timer goes off the person speaking finishes their thought and then the next participant clockwise becomes the next Discussion Director.
8. After we've gone around once anyone who passed will get a second chance to direct.

At the end of the meeting, participants will have an opportunity to vote on the topic and format for the following meeting.