PHIL 1100 Chapter 1: PHIL 1100 Richard Taylor CH. 1 Reading Notes
8 Feb 2016
School
Department
Course
Professor
Document Summary
Taylor emphasizes on the ancient myth of sisyphus. Some believe it symbols night and day, some believe it symbols the waves of the shores. Taylor states the most common intrepretation symbolizes our eternal struggle and unquenchable spirit and our determination of always trying to face the overwhelming discouragement. Taylor suggests this is a paradigm case of the meaningless existence. However, if there was an end to this myth, say after sisyphus rolling all the stones created a temple, then he reaches infinite boredom with nothing to do which is kind of like a hell. Taylor then adds another change to the myth: what if the gods created a strange substance in sisyphus which makes rolling stones desirable. Taylor calls this perverse and merciful because it is irrational as others will not see a meaning in it but it is precisely what sisyphus desires.
