- Begin to grapple with the question of existence
- Understand the fundamental definition of existentialism as a philosophy
- Analyze literature with an eye for philosophical message
Announcements
- Honors meeting at lunch tomorrow! (Wanna join the Book Club?)
- Next Tuesday, 2nd period: Dr. Sarah Roberts-Cady talk; PM class to the Commons during 2nd (You will have chem during my class! Raise your hand if you don't have Steve 2nd hour.)
Starter 1.20
To-morrow, and to-morrow, and to-morrow,
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day,
To the last syllable of recorded time;
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools
The way to dusty death. Out, out, brief candle!
Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more. It is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury
Signifying nothing.
— Macbeth (Act 5, Scene 5, lines 17-28)
- What does Macbeth mean? INTERPRET the passage.
- Do you agree with Macbeth? Why or why not?
4 Corners:
- Pursuing meaning is more important than pursuing happiness.
- In order to be happier, we should focus on the "now."
- Everything happens for a reason.
- Humans are the focus of the great cosmic mystery.
TED Talk: Why does the universe exist?
Key terms
Ontology: (simply) the philosophical study of the nature of being, becoming, existence, or reality
Deity: God, goddess or divine being
Transcript, if you want to follow along or review....
Takes notes on the following in your comp book....
- What different explanations does Holt mention that humans use to explain why the universe exists?
- Which explanation does he arrive at?
JOURNAL 1.20 Why Does the Universe Exist?
REACT! Review the transcript if you need to. Which pieces of his discussion do you agree with? Which do you reject? What do you personally believe about the universe and its existence? If you don't really know yet (as many don't), use this journal entry to wonder in words....
INTRO TO EXISTENTIALISM
1. Begin Existentialism PPT, Part 1
2. Discuss "Shades"
3. Define "existential crisis" and process your understanding of existentialism.
Homework: Read and Analyze "Mold of the Earth" by Boleslaw Prus
Compare this story to "Shades." What "existentialist" trends do you see in both these stories?