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Originally Posted by theapportioner
Not to say that the question isn't serious (it is), but Camus's answer to the question of an individual life's absurdity is what Nagel takes aim at. Nagel suggests taking a more ironic, amused attitude, if I recall.
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I agree that that's a valid solution, too. I think Camus was more concerned with answering the heavily dramatic, depressive types who would rationalize suicide--so he answered in dramatic terms.
I haven't read enough of Nagel, so correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't see how he and Camus' beliefs about what makes life absurd can't be reconciled. Nagel claimed that the subjective importance we place on our endeavours clashes with the objective futility of them, rendering life ridiculous. I don't understand how that isn't compatible with the idea that death will ultimately render our labors futile.
At any rate, both seem to draw the same conclusions, though their approach to handling the Absurd is a little different.