Camus' reception of Nietzsche's mythopoesis

Abstract

Nietzsche uses mythopoesis in order to communicate a number of related ideas that can only be expressed in the medium of myth. His aim is to establish a rapport with his readers who through his mythopoeic works are called upon to act. The ideas Nietzsche attempts to communicate concern an attitude and disposition towards life he calls the Dionysian and the action his readers are called upon to perform relate to the social stratification of society with the aim of facilitating the emergence of 'great individuals'. However, Nietzsche also employs mythopoesis to communicate ideas concerning the mythopoeic method itself and the process of pursuing philosophical ideas in depths greater than usually attempted. In other words, Nietzsche uses mythopoesis in an attempt to make clear how mythopoesis works. To successfully establish a rapport with Nietzsche and correctly answer his calls to action one must receive his mythopoeic works as mythopoesis and not something else.

Albert Camus carried out his philosophical inquiries in the medium of myth. His early works, those in his 'Absurd' cycle, can be read explicitly as responses to Nietzsche's mythopoesis. In his works Camus always invites the readers to join him in his philosophical investigations. Reading Nietzsche in the light of Camus' work brings us much closer to discovering the meaning of his calls to action. However, Camus is neither merely a follower nor guide; his work brings out the meaning of Nietzsche's call but not uncritically. Careful study of Camus' response to Nietzsche's mythopoesis reveals those insights that are invaluable and those which require correcting.

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ORCID for Christopher Janaway: orcid.org/0000-0002-9600-8837

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