Existentialism... The challenge of finding meaning within existence.

Imagine this...  How is high school an exercise in “figuring it all out” and “finding out who you really are”? Do you think it is possible to really be able to say, This is who I am deal with it… as a high school aged person? Or do you need to go through life and experience tragedy to figure it all out?  Please respond to these questions in a 9-11 sentence journal entry.

Background Information...  Though reduced now to the level of cliché, Rene Descartes’ famous maxim sums up perfectly the philosophical underpinnings of existentialist thought.  Existentialism has its roots in the writings of several nineteenth and twentieth century philosophers, among them Friedrich Nietzsche, Martin Heidegger, and Søren Kierkegaard.  The philosophy is by most standards a very loose conglomeration of perspectives, aesthetics, and approaches to dealing with the world and its inherent difficulties.

Background Information...  In the most general sense, existentialism deals with the recurring problem of finding meaning within existence. From this perspective, there are no meanings or structures that precede one’s own existence as one finds in organized religion.  Therefore, the individual must find or create meaning for his or her self. Existentialist thought has garnered an unfair reputation for pessimism – to the extreme extent.

 The idea of created meaning strikes some as ultimately meaningless or even absurd. Some of the popular tropes associated with existential philosophy, such as angst, boredom, or fear, likewise strike the average observer as dripping with pessimism.  Nothing in the philosophical train of thought of existentialism dictates a negative view of humanity or reality. In fact, much of the philosophy revolves around the limitless capacity for ethically and intellectually engaged persons to enact change in the world.  Positive change is then an imperative for the true existentialist; otherwise existence is a complete void. To put it another way, it is not simply enough to “be.” One has to be “something” or life truly lacks meaning or purpose. From this point of view, existentialism has the potential to indeed be a very positive means of approaching reality. Background Information...

 Nihilism: the belief that all values are baseless and that nothing can be known or communicated. It is often associated with extreme pessimism and a radical skepticism that condemns existence. A true nihilist would believe in nothing, have no loyalties, and no purpose other than, perhaps, an impulse to destroy.  Angst: a strong feeling of being worried or nervous : a feeling of anxiety about your life or situation  Boredom: the state of being weary and restless through lack of interest Words to own...

Remember Me Film Study A Study in Existentialism Existentialism... The challenge of finding meaning within existence.

WARNING!!!! If you have seen this film, please do not spoil the ending for your classmates. You will be given an alternative assignment to complete if you spoil the film.

 For Tyler and Ally create a list of 10 examples where they demonstrate ANY of the following: angst, boredom and deep- rooted fear. This is a list BUT it needs to be clear that you can specifically recall the event you are referencing in the film.  Select one of the minor characters: Aiden, Caroline Hawkins (Tyler’s sister), Charles Hawkins (Tyler’s dad) or Sgt. Neil Craig (Ally’s dad) and create a list of 5 examples where he or she demonstrates any of the following: angst, boredom, and deep- rooted fear. Part 1: While watching the film

 Q1: Identify how the movie examines Tyler’s personal quest to define himself and to figure out who he is and where he fits in with the rest of the world. (7-9 sentences)  Q2: Discuss how the film makes a social commentary on the perils of figuring out who one is and finding meaning after experiencing loss and tragedy (11-15 sentences) Part 2: After you have watched the film

 You will have a graded class discussion on existentialism and the film on Thursday April 10.  More information will be made available to you about this next week! Part 3: Class Discussion April 10

1.Part 1: 40 points 2.Part 2: 50 points 3.Part 3: 50 points 4.Journal: 10 points 5.Total: 150 points Points