The concept can be understood through the lenses of philosophical theories such as absurdism, the philosophical understanding of miracles, and the concept of courage as a form of madness.
Absurdism, a philosophical theory, suggests that the universe is irrational and meaningless, and that attempts to find meaning often lead to conflict. This conflict can be between rational humans and an irrational universe, or between intention and outcome. The absurd arises when human aspirations for a higher form of meaning in life are ignored by an indifferent world. This implies that the absurd is not in humans or the world, but in their presence together. Therefore, the nature of humanity can be seen as absurd due to the inherent conflict between our desire for meaning and the indifference of the universe. It also calls upon the duality of life, a belief held by eastern philosophies, in which two opposing elements can be true at the same time.
The existence of humanity can be viewed as a miracle, a concept often associated with violations of the laws of nature. The usual theistic view of the world presumes the existence of an omnipotent God who, while transcending nature, is able to act within the natural world. This view suggests that the existence of humanity, with its complex biological, psychological, and social structures, could be seen as a chance happening, an exception to the ordinary course of nature.
Courage, in this context, can be seen as an act of madness. This perspective is rooted in the idea that courage often involves going against our basic survival instincts, which can be seen as a form of madness. Courage is often associated with selflessness and sacrifice, which can involve walking towards a personal loss or away from a personal gain in favor of doing the right thing. This act of going against our survival instincts for the greater good can be seen as a form of madness, thus framing courage as an act of madness.