Simon holds a PhD in Philosophy and is the co-founder of the Albert Camus Society. Over the past twenty years he has worked helping to develop public interest in philosophy, philosophical literature, and theatre. His areas of special interest include Camus, Nietzsche, existentialism, absurdism, and mythopoesis.
Education
PhD Philosophy — University of Southampton, 2024
MPhil Philosophy — Lampeter, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, 2009
BA Philosophy — Lampeter, University of Wales Trinity Saint David, 2003
Areas of Expertise
Which English Translation Is Best? Camus’s Stranger (US) vs. Outsider (UK)
Camus’s novel is translated into English as "The Stranger" in the US and "The Outsider" in the UK. What difference does translation make?
Why Camus’s Play “The Misunderstanding” Is So Misunderstood
"The Misunderstanding" is a dark play, Camus’s bleakest. However, it contains a message of hope that is often missed.
How a Painting of Christ’s Resurrection Inspired Camus’ Philosophy
On a youthful trip to Italy, Camus was inspired by a Renaissance fresco to develop his philosophy of the absurd.
Albert Camus Did Not Think Everything Was Meaningless and Neither Should You
It is widely but erroneously believed that Camus thought life was meaningless. In fact, he argued that it was impossible to live a meaningless existence.
Is Meursault Really Incapable of Thought? Rereading Camus’ “The Stranger”
Scholars call Meursault cold, inept, and unreflective. But the novel tells a very different story. Here is what the text actually shows.
Camus and Columbo? The Unlikely Link Between European Existentialism and American Detective TV Series
The television series Columbo and Camus’ novel 'A Happy Death' were directly inspired by Dostoevsky’s classic novel of existential guilt, 'Crime and Punishment.'
Why Camus Was Obsessed with Smiling Mouths
Smiling mouths occur throughout Camus’s works. Despite the frequency and intriguing ways in which Camus employs the motif, few scholars have explored his use of imagery.
Why Simone Weil Claimed That All Political Parties Are Evil and Must Be Abolished
Simone Weil believed that all political parties were evil and ought to be abolished.
What Albert Camus Wrote About the Nauseating Reality of the Guillotine
Camus challenges the right of the state to choose who lives and dies.
Why ‘A Happy Death’ Was Albert Camus’s Most Shocking Novel
Camus completed a full draft of a novel with shocking content, but abandoned it to focus on The Stranger. This novel was A Happy Death.
Mark Fisher’s Capitalist Realism vs. Neoliberalism: What’s the Difference?
Mark Fisher makes strong claims about imagining alternatives to what he calls "Capitalist Realism," but can he defend them?
Camus’s Story of Humiliated Workers Who Cannot Express Their Feelings
Written during a time of personal crisis, "The Silent Men" explores the themes of narcissism, aging, and death.