Philosophical Reviews: The Stranger (Albert Camus)

 

The Absurd is an insurmountable conflict between humanity’s search for answers and the silence of the universe. Meursault possesses no ideals and no morals; he simply lives for the moment. This is not a superficial existence—like that of a "couch potato"—but rather a different way of living: observing one's surroundings through a different lens. According to Camus, this awareness is a fundamental ingredient for surviving in an indifferent world.

In other words, wisdom is not derived from the sheer number of life experiences, but from the depth of the experiences we have. Here, light—unlike the Platonic ideal—is synonymous with absurdity and indifference. Meursault does not kill the Arab out of revenge; instead, in a state of semi-consciousness, he allows nature to pull the trigger through him.