A Philosophy of Limits
“If, on the other hand, rebellion could found a philosophy it would be a philosophy of limits, of calculated ignorance, and of risk.” ALBERT CAMUS · THE REBEL
Yesterday a month of solidarity ended with a warning. Rebellion must respect the limit it discovers in itself. August is the month where we walk that line. Camus wrote The Rebel against the great systems of his century, ideologies so certain of where history was going that they gave themselves permission to do anything on the way. Against them he proposes something that sounds almost humble. If rebellion could found a philosophy, it would be a philosophy of limits, of calculated ignorance, and of risk.
Take the three parts one at a time. A philosophy of limits says there are things we will never do, no matter how good the cause. Calculated ignorance says we do not know everything, and we act knowing we might be wrong. Risk says that because certainty is not available, every commitment remains a wager, made with open eyes.
Notice what this rules out. It rules out the fanatic, who knows he is right and therefore recognizes no line. But it also rules out the cynic, who uses uncertainty as an excuse to do nothing. Camus asks for the harder posture, full engagement without total certainty.
Today, pick one conviction you hold strongly and say out loud what you do not know about it. Then act on it anyway, within the lines you will not cross. That is the whole month in one gesture.
