For Nagel, the sense that life as a whole is absurd arises when we perceive an inflated pretension or aspiration which is inescapable from the continuation of human life.

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Nagel argues that the sense of life's absurdity comes from the clash between the seriousness with which we take our lives and the perpetual possibility of regarding everything about which we are serious as arbitrary or open to doubt. This perception of an inflated pretension or aspiration is indeed seen as inescapable, contributing to the absurdity of life.

For Nagel, the Sense That Life as a Whole Is