Paulinian Philosophy Students’ Perceptions of Death, Life’s Absurdity, and Despair in the Light of Albert Camus’ Philosophy of the Absurd

In the realm of existential philosophy, the quest for life’s meaning has perpetually intrigued and challenged human intellects across generations. Among the notable figures in this discourse was Albert Camus, whose intellectual reflections on the absurdity of existence, the inevitability of death, and the confrontation with despair continue to provoke contemplation and debate. This study aimed to investigate how Paulinian Philosophy Students perceived Camus’ existential philosophy, particularly regarding themes such as the search for meaning in life through concepts like death, life's absurdity, and despair. To answer this, the researcher utilized the purposive sampling method with 51 respondents (e.g., second years, third years, and fourth years). They were purposely chosen because existential philosophy is introduced in the second year of the AB Philosophy curriculum at St. Paul University Surigao. The main tool used in gathering the data was a questionnaire made by the researcher. The gathered data were treated using frequency count and percentage descriptive statistical tools, mean and standard deviation, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient. The results showed that students understand and are open to existential themes, particularly those of Camus’. To deepen their engagement, educational strategies should include more discussions, critical analysis, and interdisciplinary approaches. Integrating Camus’ ideas into the curriculum will help students better grasp existentialism, enhancing the relevance and impact of