10.20 - Life Philosophies

We started today's class with a writing prompt based in some of the figures of speech that we have been studying that was also meant to start helping us think about the roles that we play in society. Everyone responded to this question in their writer's journal:

Synecdochically and metaphorically speaking, if you were a part of a car, what part would you be and why?

Clarification added to this question in class:

In responding to this question, see how far you can extend this metaphor by creating as many connections as possible between the role you play in your community and the role the car part plays in the function of the car.

In explaining why, provide an example of a time where you exhibited these characteristics.

After everyone had a chance to respond to this prompt, we went around the room and people explained what car part synecdochical metaphor they had created for themselves.

Next, we looked at how the role a person plays in life is also determined by their outlook and overall philosophy of life. To consider this, we reviewed ten major life philosophies (see handout below). We read the quotes exemplifying these philosophies together as a class and then everyone had five minutes to choose and write about a quote. We then discussed what people said about these quotes.

Following this discussion, people sorted themselves into four groups based on general groupings of these philosophies. The groups were as follows (with the common uniting theme):


Nihilism, Absurdism, Determinism - Life has no greater meaning.

Utilitarianism, Epicureanism - The purpose of life is to find joy.

Solipsism, Existentialism, Secular Humanism - Individuals determine the value of life.

Objectivism, Positivism - There is an underlying truth in life discovered by rational thought/science.


In these groups, people then discussed what the purpose of school is and why they come to school when they have this particular life philosophy. The gist of these responses was as follows:


Nihilism, Absurdism, Determinism - We're here because society says we should be, but it is otherwise pointless.

Utilitarianism, Epicureanism - Going to school means we can get a job and earn money to afford us the things we find pleasurable in life (pizza, so many wonderful books)

Solipsism, Existentialism, Secular Humanism - In school we learn about different perspectives and ideas to help us make sense of the world.

Objectivism, Positivism - In school we learn the truths that prior generations have discovered and we begin to build on and refine this knowledge.


Handouts:

Ten Philosophies

Individualism v. Collectivism activity (for homework)


Homework:

Complete the Individualism v. Collectivism activity for tomorrow's class.