Angesichts des Absurden – Von der metaphysischen Revolte zur islamischen Revolution

Abstract

The author outlines the idea of the “revolt”, which was defined metaphysically by the writer and philosopher Albert Camus, and applies this theory to the Islamic Revolution in 1979 in Iran. Camus develops an “ethics of solidarity and revolution” against the destiny of humankind which shows how the postmodern inner void can be overcome. This philosophic theory starts with the experiences of the “absurd”, which arises from the discrepancy between the human demand and the earthly reality. The humankind possesses a metaphysical hunger after meaning, which cannot be sated by the world. This leads to a feeling of strangeness, which acts as the basis of the “revolt”, since one cannot find the expected harmony and satisfaction. The author considers the Islamic Revolution promising to re-establish the holy and giving a new meaning of life to the people. He sees this event as an example of history repeating itself, where the searching after meaning is like the labor of Sisyphus.