Analyzing Tone and Style in a Philosophical Context

Consider the following excerpt from a philosophical essay on the nature of reality:

"In the labyrinth of human perception, truth wavers like a flickering candle, its light both illuminating and deceiving. The quest for an absolute reality is as Sisyphean as the longing for immortality; we push the boulder of understanding up the hill, only to watch it roll back into the abyss of uncertainty."

Based on the excerpt, which of the following options best describes the author’s tone and style?