Existentialism

Everyone wants freedom, to do what we want to do and to choose the life we

want. Existentialism believes that humans have no pre-ordained purpose.
Therefore, each of us is free to choose how we wish to live our life, and what
our life’s purpose shall be (Duignan, 2011; Guignon; Lawless).

There are seven themes of existentialism such as: Rejection of Meaning-giving

Narratives, Existence precedes Essence, Life is Absurd, Life of Despair, Freedom
and Choice, Responsibility to be Authentic, and Existentialism is Humanism.

Existentialists believe we have to choose for ourselves. They believe that we

have the power to choose and we can do that alone. There are things that have
to be no sense and meaning which are said to be ‘absurd’. Something nice about
existentialism is that you’re free to choose your own path. We are free to choose
our own life. But we must choose our own life.

There are few ways in existentialism in education and classroom teaching and
learning. Educators should help students find meaning for their own lives. We
as the second parent of the students should guide them in searching their own
paths. We should not force ‘right’ way to live onto students. Teachers should
encourage students to exercise individual choice. Teachers encourage students
to exercise their freedom and to choose what they think is right. However,
students must be mindful that their choices have consequences. As a student,
they need to be responsible for themselves regardless of their circumstances.

Some of the strength of existentialism in education give emphasis on choice

and freedom which is empowering for students. They have the right to choose
on what they what in life. Just like in a classroom set up, if they what a higher
grade they need to work hard for it. Students must work hard and make smart
choices to achieve what they want. Some of the weaknesses of existentialism in
education are messages about despair and the meaningless of life which may
be scary for young children. Some people believe existentialism do not have
moral core and could lead students to lack any sense of obligation to their
classmates or society. Key existentialists such as Nietzsche and Heidigger used
their philosophy to defend unethical behavior (Heidigger was a Nazi);
Existentialism shown that students have the power and right to choose their
own path. I can use this philosophy to influence every young generation to think
what they want and they can achieve it. This will be my guide in helping the
students in achieving their own lives. This philosophy gives the students variety
of options from which to choose and they can directed their lives the way they
want it with the guidance of their teacher.

References:

Duignan, B. (2011). The history of western ethics. New York: Encyclopaedia

Britannica Publishing.
Guignon, C. (2013). Existentialism. In: Craig, E. (Ed.) Concise Routledge
encyclopedia of philosophy. (p. 265). London: Routledge.