According to Scotty Hendricks, a freelance writer, Albert Camus is a well-known Algerian French existential writer who gained popularity for his philosophy about the absurd (Hendricks). Camus, growing up at the time of war, had a unique perspective on life. He defined his philosophy of the absurd as a “man’s inability to know [the meaning of life] if it were to exist” (Camus). With this philosophy in life, what would he have thought about the social epidemic of homelessness? After spending his early years in poverty, and fighting the feeling of being excluded from society, but having a great sense of morality, Camus might have considered homelessness as a serious social epidemic. Additionally, despite his distrust of the government, it is plausible that Camus supports the use of government aid to help the homeless population.
Homelessness is a growing social epidemic that needs to be addressed expeditiously. According to the Annual Homeless Assessment Report released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, there were more than 582,462 people experiencing homelessness in the year 2022 (“HUD Releases 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report”). In recent years, there has been an increase in rates of homeless older adults. These older adults face poverty and homelessness due to a multitude of reasons. One of these reasons include being unable to work because of age-related health issues such as hearing impairments and physical disabilities.
According to Cynthia Haven, a well-known author, and journalist, Albert Camus was born in “Algeria of French nationality and was assimilated into the French colony” (Haven). Although he was of French nationality, he was not accepted by French colonists because of his social status (Haven). This is very similar to how older adults, who experienced poverty and became homeless after the age of 50, feel today. Older adults facing homelessness due to unavoidable circumstances, such as health issues, might feel excluded from society due to their poverty-stricken situation. Being homeless has a very negative impact on an individual’s life. According to Phuntsho Om, a nurse educator with a research interest in topics like homelessness and aging, and his colleagues, homelessness is a major contributory factor to “poor emotional health related to social exclusion” that homeless individuals face (Om et al. 6). Being compelled to live on the streets takes on a heavy emotional burden because individuals who are homeless often have to go through demoralizing and depressing situations which can add on to their feeling of isolation. Camus, having seen both sides of the coin: poverty and wealth, has a more informed perspective about both. Hence, it is appropriate to imply that Camus would favor the homeless and feel empathy for them because he has been in their situation in the past.
Next, Camus was not fond of governmental intervention. Imagine being Camus in the 1940s, during World War II. During that time, it was easy to lose trust in the government and there was a rise in neo-liberalism ideologies. During this time, people wanted the government to have none to little control over trade and other things. Additionally, according to an article by David Simpson, associated with DePaul University, Camus’ writing attempts to apprehend the “atmosphere of malaise, corruption, demoralization, and anonymity” that he experienced while living in German-occupied France (Simpson). This acts as evidence that during those years, people, including Camus, had begun distrusting the government. Similarly, as stated in an essay by Camus and Phillip Thody, Professor of French Literature, Camus believed that the “government has no conscience” (Camus and Phillip). Rather, it only has policies. Stating that the government lacks conscience hints toward the idea that the government does not distinguish between right and wrong and suggests that the law contains no morals. In accordance with both of these pieces of texts, it can be inferred that Camus would not prefer the government to interfere with the issue of homelessness. For the deeply-enrooted epidemic of homelessness, one of the biggest solutions is to increase governmental assistance programs. Doing so can help aid the homeless and can help limit homelessness by providing the homeless with temporary shelters. Camus, however, being distrustful of the government and disliking government interference might be hesitant to turn toward the government. However, having been in poverty himself, he might have a change of heart and see the many advantages of having governmental assistance. He might approve of the solution of governmental aid to help those struggling with homelessness.
Albert Camus also had a high moral code and was justice-oriented. Along with morality and justice, he also believed that each individual deserves to receive love. Growing up in disparity and poverty with the ugly truth of war surrounding him, it is unsurprising the toll it took on his thought process and how he viewed the world. In a famous book called The Plague, Camus’ quote about love stands as evidence of why he would be sympathetic toward the homeless and possibly guide and comfort the homeless population. Camus states that “A loveless world is a dead world” (Camus). Through this quote, it can be implied that Camus believed love was an important factor in life. Love, not only in a romantic sense but also love for others around us. Hence, it can be inferred that Camus would have compassion and love for the homeless.
Although these pieces of evidence support why Camus would empathize with the homeless, some may oppose this claim. According to Thomas Salter, the founder and Chief Operating Officer of Netwealth, Camus had said that “Life is a sum of all your choices” (Thomas Salter). The life of an individual is indeed a result of the choices the individual makes. However, on the topic of homelessness, many may misinterpret this quote and claim that Camus does not believe in homelessness is a social epidemic. One of the commonly known causes contributing to homelessness is drug use. According to Rebecca T. Brown, an Assistant Professor of Medicine in the Division of Geriatric Medicine, drug use among younger homeless adults is almost 70% (Brown et al. 9). Individuals generally choose to do drugs or other forms of addiction and hence people may assume that becoming homeless through excessive drug use is something that the individual’s choice led them to. However, because this essay focuses on Camus’ thoughts on homelessness among older adults, it is feasible to imply that Camus would still feel empathy for the homeless because older adults generally do not become homeless due to the use of drugs but due to the inability to work.
In conclusion, Camus’ belief in the absurd, his experience of living in poverty, his feeling of exclusion, and his high moral code serve as evidence to imply that Camus would consider homelessness as a social epidemic and would feel empathy toward homeless adults. However, when it comes to solutions to help aid homelessness, Camus may feel hesitant toward the idea of using the government’s aid to improve the lives of the homeless. But it is plausible that he would be willing to support the use of governmental aid to help the homeless.
Works Cited
Brown, Rebecca T., Goodman, Leah., Guzman, David., Tieu, Lina., Ponath, Claudia., Kushel,
Margot B. “Pathways to Homelessness among Older Homeless Adults: Results
from the Hope Home Study.” PLOS ONE, vol. 11, no. 5, 2016,
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0155065.
Camus, Albert, 1913-1960. The Plague. New York: Vintage Books, 1991.
Camus, Albert, and Waller, Thody Philip Malcolm. Lyrical and Critical Essays. Knopf, 1969.
Haven, Cynthia. “Albert Camus: His Childhood, Poverty, and ‘the Solar Side of His Work.” The
Book Haven, Stanford University, 6 Aug. 2016,
https://bookhaven.stanford.edu/2016/08/albert-camus-his-childhood-poverty-and-the-sola
r-side-of-his-work/#:~:text=%E2%80%9CI%20was%20poised%20midway%20between,t
hat%20history%20is%20not%20everything.%E2%80%9D.
Hendricks, Scotty. “Albert Camus on Suicide, Absurdity, and the Meaning of Life.” Big Think,
20 Mar. 2023,
“HUD Releases 2022 Annual Homeless Assessment Report.” HUD.gov / U.S. Department of
Housing and Urban Development (HUD), 19 Dec. 2022,
https://www.hud.gov/press/press_releases_media_advisories/HUD_No_22_253.
Om, Phuntsho., Whitehead, Lisa., Vafeas, Caroline., Towell‐Barnard, Amanda. “A Qualitative
Systematic Review on the Experiences of Homelessness among Older Adults.” BMC
Geriatrics, vol. 22, no. 1, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-022-02978-9.
Salter, Thomas. “The Sum of Your Choices.” NetWealth, Netwealth Investments Ltd, 20 Jan. 2021, https://www.netwealth.com/ourviews/the-sum-of-your-choices/#:~:text=The%20Nobel%20Prize%2Dwinning%20writer,turn%20you%20take%20is%20cumulative.
Simpson, David. “Albert Camus (1913—1960).” Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy,
Life Without A Home
Leave a comment