Existentialism: Flipped learning: Ask Questions

Existentialism: Flipped learning: Ask Questions 

Hello Readers! This blog is a response to the Thinking Activity assigned by Dr. Dilip Barad sir, Department of English, MKBU. In this blog we were given a task based on Existentialism and Flipped learning to watch a video and understand them. Further, we have to write our thoughts which impressed us the most in the video, the video we liked the most with a reason and ask 5 questions in the class which are written below. 

Flipped learning:-

What is flip learning ?

Flip learning is an instructional strategy in which students are first exposed to new material outside of the classroom, typically through pre-recorded videos or readings, and then use class time for activities such as problem solving, discussion, and assessment. The idea is to "flip" the traditional classroom model, in which lectures are given in class and homework is used for practice, so that students come to class prepared to engage with the material in a more active way. For more understanding about flip learning read this blog. ( Click here )

What is Flip Classroom ?

A flipped classroom is an instructional strategy in which students watch video lectures or complete reading and other homework assignments outside of class and then use class time for hands-on activities, discussions, and problem - solving. This approach is designed to make better use of classroom time and at their own space. The idea behind this approach is that students can watch the lecture on their own time and come to class with any questions, which can then or classmates, allowing for a more interactive learning experience.

Existentialism:-

Existentialism is a form of philosophical inquiry that explores the issue of human existence. It is the view that humans define their own meaning in life, and try to make rational decisions despite existing in an irrational universe.  It focuses on the question of human existence, and the feeling that there is no purpose or explanation at the core of existence. ( https://blog.dilipbarad.com/2016/09/existentialism-video-resources.html )

Existentialism is associated with several 19th  and 20th century European philosophers who shared an emphasis on the human subject, despite often profound differences in thought. Existentialist Philosophers explore the problems related to the meaning, purpose and value of human existence and personal agency. Key Existentialist Philosophers are below.

• Soren Kierkegaard
• Friedrich Nietzsche
• Martin Heidegger
• Jean-Paul Sartre
• Albert Camus 
• Simone de Beauvoir

Existentialism is a catch- all term for those philosophers who consider the nature of the human condition as a key philosophical problem and who share the view that this problem is best addressed through ontology. This very broad definition will be clarified by discussing seven key themes that Existentialist thinkers address.

• Philosophy as a way of life
• Anxiety and 
• Freedom
• Situatedness
• Existence
• Irrationality
• Absurdity
• The Crowd
• Authenticity 

Many Existentialists considered traditional systematic or academic philosophies, in style and content, to be too abstract and removed from concrete human experience. A primary virtue in Existentialist thought is authenticity. Existentialism would influence many disciplines outside of philosophy, including theology, drama, art, literature, and psychology.

The moral purpose of Existentialism is to help individuals find meaning and purpose in their lives through the exploration of their own existence and freedom. Existentialists believed that individuals must create their own values and meaning, as there no inherent meaning or purpose of self-discovery and self-creation can lead to a more authentic and fulfilling life. Now we discuss about video's which are based on Existentialism.

Video 1

What is Existentialism?

This video is based on Existentialism. The video began with the basic introduction of Existentialism and gave three sides of Existentialism; freedom, Passion and individuality. Existentialism came after world war I.  It is a philosophical and cultural movement that emphasises individual freedom and choice, and the inherent meaninglessness of life. It posits that individuals must create their own meaning in life and take responsibility for their choices. The movement emerged in the 1940s and 1950s, and was popularised by Philosophers such as Jean Paul Sartre and Martin Heidegger and Albert Camus. According to Albert Camus one should embrace and understand absurdity rather than start believing in God. Believing is god means escaping from the real situations and leaving everything in God. This is philosophical suicide. I suppose this video is about philosophical suicide.

Video 2

The Myth of Sisyphus: The Absurd Reasoning ( Feeling of the Absurd )

This video  talks about the myth of Sisyphus. The Myth of Sisyphus is a 1942 philosophical essay by Albert Camus. In this essay Camus introduces his philosophy of the absurd. The myth of Sisyphus centres around a man who is punished by the gods to roll a heavy boulder up a steep hill, only for it to roll back down again as soon as he reaches the top. He must repeat this task for eternity as punishment for his deceitfulness and cunning.

Myth of Sisyphus teaches us to never give in to circumferential disappointment or try to escape from failure, rather accept failure the same way we accept our achievements. Along with it Absurd Reasoning is talking about an relation to suicide. Absurd is illogical, the understanding which i got from this video is when one is feeling low and absurd things of no worth and finds no meaning in life is driven towards suicide, and all this reasoning before suicide in Absurd Reasoning. Through this myth we can say that accept what you got like achievements and search for hope. This essay concludes,

"The struggle itself is enough to fill a man's heart. One must imagine Sisyphus happy."

Stay is a 2005 American Psychological thriller movie. The movie represents an intense relationship centering on reality, death, love and the afterlife. Movie 'Stay' is also talk about suicide is divorce between man and this life embracing the truth, compromising, understanding are better than divorce.

The absurd reasoning in this myth is that Sisyphus' punishment is endless and seemingly pointless. He is not given any chance for redemption or release from his punishment, and the task itself is physically and mentally gruelling with no end in sight. The repetition and futility of his punishment highlights the absurdity of the human condition and the lack of meaning in life.

Video 3

The Myth of Sisyphus: the notion of philosophical suicide

What is Philosophical suicide:

Philosophical suicide refers to the act of giving up one's belief in the meaning and value of life. It is a concept that has been explored in philosophy and literature, and can refer to a variety of different actions or attitudes, such as abandoning one's moral principles, rejecting the concept of free will, or embracing nihilism. The term can also refer to the idea that the rejection of certain  values leads to a loss of purpose or direction in life.

This video is talk about the notion of Philosophical suicide. In this video we can observe that one needs to confront problems which are leading one to absurdity. When you confront a problem and try to fight it; there will be the total absence of hope, continued rejection and dissatisfaction but all this is not equal to despair, renunciation and immature unrest. Camus has denied being an Existentialists because Existentialist suggest having faith in God while Camus suggests embracing absurdity.

Video 4

Dadaism, Nihilism and Existentialism

This video talks about the three theories of Dadaism, Nihilism and Existentialism. Dadaism emerged after world war I which questioned every traditional value and tried to destroy its base. It was a quest for change and Existentialism came into Existence after world war II which was trying to awaken people and make them understand their own worth and individuality.

Dadaism:-

Dadaism was an artistic and literary movement. It is emerged during world war I, characterised by a rejection of traditional societal norms and conventions. Dada artists sought to challenge the status quo and create art that was irrational, illogical, and non-representational. The movement was primarily active in Europe, and later in the United States, between 1916 and 1922. Dada artists experimented with a wide range of mediums, including painting, sculpture , performance art, and collage, and their work often incorporated elements of satire, parody, and political commentary. Key Figures associated with the movement include Marcel Duchamp, Francis Picabia, and Hannah Hoch. For more about Dadaism click here.  ( Click here )

Nihilism:-

Nihilism is a philosophy that holds that life lacks meaning, purpose or intrinsic value. It is often associated with Friedrich Nietzsche, who argued that traditional mortality and religious beliefs had lost their credibility and that the concept of truth was nothing more than a human construct. Nihilism can take various forms, but it generally holds that traditional beliefs and values are unfounded or meaningless. Existential nihilism, which is belief that life lacks inherent meaning or purpose, is a common form of nihilism. 

Video 5

Existentialism - a gloomy philosophy

This video talks about a gloomy philosophy. Existentialism is not a narcissist philosophy it talks about becoming, who you are not love yourself. In this video we can observe that it is  a gloomy philosophy because it pulls anxiety, despair, absurdity thoughts into life. One needs to have these feelings in life to understand one's own existence. 

Video 6

Existentialism and Nihilism: is it one and the same?

This video talks about Existentialism and Nihilism. This video explains that Existentialism and Nihilism are not the same things. Every Existentialist has fought against nihilism in one or another way. So we can say that both are different things.

Video 7

Let us introduce Existentialism again!

This video talks about difference between Existentialism and Nihilism. Why am i here? What does it mean to be human? How should I live my life? It says Existentialism is not a Psychological system or set of rules, it is a movement. 

Video 8

Explain like I am five: Existentialism and Nietzsche

This video is talk about Existentialism and idea of Nietzsche. I like the concept of this video because through  fun the children learn the idea of Nietzsche.

Video 9

Why do I like Existentialism? Eric Dodson

This video  talks about Existentialism and daily life. In this video, there is a combining mind and heart, and Holism and honesty. Existentialism is also a Rebellious way of thinking about life. Honesty in Existentialism - it removes the shyness of accepting the negative aspect of life. Holism- it provides the power of acceptance, acceptance of strength and weakness of life. It also talks about suffering. Suffering helps us to be more loveing  and compassionate. It is  teaches us  to live life with suffering and to open to oneself. In the last part of the video, it give a list of top 10 things you can do to live more Existentially. This list is below.

1. Remember that you're born to a brilliant and terrifying universe...
2. Build responsible community
3. Recover the ability to play
4. Inhabit the present moment
5. Learn to live with passion
6. See how free you can be
7. Lay claim to your power in life
8. Honour life's difficult experience
9. Start relating to the big picture
10. Question what you've been told

Video 10

Let us sum up: From Essentialism to Existentialism

This video talks about Essentialism to Existentialism. 

Essentialism and Existentialism are two distinct philosophical Concepts. Essentialism is the belief that things have an inherent nature or essence that determines their identity and characteristics. Essentialists believes that the essence of a thing is fixed and unchanging, and that it can be discovered through observation and analysis. Existentialism, on the other hands, is a philosophy that emphasised individual freedom and choice, and the idea that individuals create their own meaning and purpose in life. Existentialism believe that individuals are not determined by their nature or essence, but by their actions and choices. They also believe that individuals are ultimately responsible for creating their own sense of meaning and purpose in life. In summary, essentialism is focused on the inherent nature of things, while Existentialism is focused on the freedom and choices of individuals, and the idea that individuals create their own meaning and purpose in life.

Conclusion:-

Thus, we can say that the moral of Existentialism is that individuals are responsible for creating their own meaning and purpose in life, as there is no inherent meaning in the universe. This can lead to feelings of freedom and empowerment, but also anxiety and despair. It also emphasises the importance of authenticity and living in alignment with one's values and beliefs. And also we work with rules so we need to follow them. Life is full of conflict but working against external forces is necessary to be an Existentialist. The concept of Existentialism is  hard to understand but after watching these videos I understand the concept. 

'Be yourself. Live in your own way.'

Questions:-

1. In what ways does Camus's work differ from the Existentialist ideas of Jean Paul Sartre?

2. How has the concept of Philosophical suicide been represented in literature or art?

3. In what ways can the acceptance of nihilism lead to a more fulfilling life, according to Existentialism?

4. How do Nietzsche's ideas of the "will to power" and the "eternal recurrence" relate to Nihilism and Existentialism?

5. How do contemporary Philosophers interpret and build upon the ideas of Nihilism and Existentialism?

6. What is the meaning of Authenticity in Existentialism? How does Existentialism view the concept of morality and ethics? ( A gloomy philosophy )

Thank you for visiting and reading....

Word Count: 2,233

Images: 5

Videos: 11