In "The Rebel," Albert Camus discusses a troubling transformation in society where criminals manipulate philosophical justifications for their actions. He argues that unlike the innocent who once made emotional excuses, today's offenders are calculating adults armed with rationalizations to legitimimize their actions, creating a facade of moral high ground.

Camus highlights the disturbing irony that these individuals can elevate themselves from the status of mere criminals to that of judges by employing philosophical arguments. This shift raises profound ethical questions about justice and the nature of rebellion, suggesting that the line between right and wrong has become increasingly blurred in modern times.