In my constant quest to seek for inspiration to drive my commitments each day, I have now resorted to reading the works of infamous French Anarchists. I generally have distaste for mid 20th century French philosophers. There must have been a reaction to the very real threat of global world wars that caused the philosophers of that age to ponder a marxist view point that tended to believe that morality was relative and based on what population or majority group creates the definition.
Nothing against anyone that believes in post modern relativism, but I am not a fan. Anyway, one of French philosophers (and there were a lot of them, they are French after all) stood out. His name was Albert Camus. He was a member of French society when Nazi Germany invaded France. He became a member of the French resistance and wrote for an underground newspaper called “Combat.” He is known for his very firm stance on morality and his convictions in the good of people. He loathed the destructive forces of governments and was appalled at the rising totalitarian state in the Soviet Union. He was absolutely considered a liberal advocate of human rights, but was suspicious of the United States. He was very outspoken on the nuclear weapons use in Japan to end the war.
He has some interesting writings and his style of delivery and his passion are very akin to the way I react to things, albeit to never be as bold as he was. Anarchy in his mind was not the complete absence of government and religion, but rather the right and ability of humans to express themselves. He was a art critic as well and would comment on the artists of the day. He did not like it when people watered down their message, or used subtle references. He wanted artists to be bold, courageous and to be willing to address topics and issues that most people felt were too sensitive.
I read through some of his writings today, and I encountered one thought that impacted me. Some of us believe that there is life after death. Some of us do not. Neither matters, to Campus he believed that your only real way to live beyond this life was to create. To be involved in the act of creating, to produce something that would outlast you. That would stand the test of time. He offered that the only way you could do that was to live boldly, be courageous, take on big things and above all when you create – create dangerously.
I love that phrase. Adding it to my lexicon. Ride at Dawn, Embrace the Suck, Dance on the Edge and Create Dangerously!
Guy Reams
