1. April 1 – Death Agenda: Quick-write and Discussion
Existentialism & Absurdism
Kagan Reading and Questions
Distribute Texts and Reading Schedule
Homework:
Complete the Kagan Reading and Questions
Take out:
Pen/Pencil
Notebook

2. Quick-write
Is death bad for you? Why?

3. Two Philosophical Movements
Existentialism:
Absurdism:
Based on the belief that the universe is irrational and meaningless and that the search for order brings the individual into conflict with the universe
Human need for meaning is greater than the ability of the universe to be meaningful, making all philosophical positions absurd
Centered on the analysis of individual existence in an unfathomable universe
Considers the plight of the individual who must assume ultimate responsibility for acts of free will without any certain knowledge of what is right or wrong or good or bad
It is:
A belief that neither human beings nor the universe has any essential, predetermined nature.
Therefor human beings construct their natures through their choices.

4. Camus’ Existential Moralism
Human beings inhabit a moral universe in which there are no absolute guidelines
Nonetheless, we have an ethical sense that we try to live up to
Most of us want to be “good people,” though it is difficult to define exactly what this means
Life constantly presents us with moral choices without giving us the right answers
The various ways that we try to define a moral code and live by it constitute our moral being
We define ourselves as moral beings by the choices that we make within the ethical system that we construct

5. The Stranger (L’ Etranger)
Main character/narrator: M. Mersault
Takes place in Algiers (Northern Africa)
Algiers was controlled by the French from
The Arabs in the story are a reflection of the native population, while the French are the foreigners
Story follows M. Mersault – an “odd” young man
Complete a single dialectic journal entry for each chapter that you read
Read part 1 (NOT chapter 1 – part 1) this weekend