Rejection and Awakening in the Shadow of the Tyranny of History: The Cause of Ireland in the Light of Camus’s Philosophy of Rebellion

Abstract

This research provides a comparative and analytical reading that links Albert Camus’s philosophy of rebellion with the conflict-ridden and oppressed history of the Irish people under occupation. Entitled "Rejection and Uprising under the Shadow of Historical Oppression: The Irish Question in the Light of Camus's Philosophy of Rebellion," the study seeks to answer a central question: How can Camus's concept of rebellion be utilized as a theoretical tool to understand Irish liberation movements?

To achieve this objective, the research highlights Camus’s profound critiques of historical determinism and absolute ideologies, in which humanity is sacrificed for future goals. Accordingly, the Irish Question is analyzed as a living example wherein the Irish individual, by uttering the word "No," ignites the first spark of rebellion; signifying a "No" to imperial oppression and a "Yes" to freedom and the preservation of national identity. This shifts the act of rebellion from an individual demand to a defense of collective human identity. Simultaneously, the study addresses Camus's warnings about the intellectual traps that transform genuine rebellion into a revolution, ultimately leading to a new tyranny.

Furthermore, the research applies Camus’s concept of "balanced thought" (the philosophy of limits) to the peace process in Northern Ireland and the compromise of the Good Friday Agreement. This is interpreted as a return to the foundational principles of genuine rebellion aimed at reconciling freedom and justice. In conclusion, the study finds that the Irish Question serves as a suitable testing ground for validating Camus’s theses. It demonstrates how historical oppression engenders the will to revolt; however, devoid of moral limits, such rebellion may precipitate the rise of a new tyranny. Thus, this research makes a novel contribution by bridging French political philosophy with Irish history, opening a new horizon for understanding national conflicts.