Reflection:
During this project, we studied human existence and the meaning of life, and attempted to encompass this deeply philosophical topic into an individual project. I began this project with the specified philosophy that individuals are responsible for finding and creating meaning in their own lives, and if anything, this project only strengthened that belief for me. Before this semester I had only heard the word “existentialism,” but didn’t know the complete ideology of what it entails. I quickly rejected the pessimism of the existential, and realized that I had an almost perpendicular philosophy. Ultimately, I’m not sure my personal philosophy (or anyone’s) can be completely confined to such a specific title. Instead, I learned that I pull pieces from each, and that is all thanks to this project and an activity that really helped me to formulate my ideology into words: Four Corners. Before this project, I was actively choosing to avoid talking about philosophy, because while I had opinions, I was unable to put them into words. I also didn’t fully understand what philosophy itself truly meant, and saw it as an inferior subject due to preconceived notions imposed upon me by family members. However, I now no longer shy away from having these difficult and imposing philosophical conversations. While some of my peers struggle with existential crises and knowing their place in the world, because of this project I have tackled these difficult questions, and am comfortable with myself and my life as a human.
I am fascinated by the development of each person’s personal philosophy, because they are all so different, and yet all still so human. Is your personal philosophy something that you are born with, or something that you develop as time goes on? I question whether or not it is founded based off of people’s personalities or experiences. This is the nature v.s. nurture debate. Individuals only have so much control over their own mindsets (whether they are positive or negative), but both internal and external forces can alter it so drastically. Could someone with a positive outlook on life who believes that human lives matter and do mean something be changed into an existentialist by something like depression? And does existentialist even necessarily mean negative? Can one change their philosophy based on a conversation or the development of new evidence, in the same way one might change a political belief? I am curious about how my personal philosophy will continue to develop in the coming years, now that I am aware of it, and know what I believe in.
I am fascinated by the development of each person’s personal philosophy, because they are all so different, and yet all still so human. Is your personal philosophy something that you are born with, or something that you develop as time goes on? I question whether or not it is founded based off of people’s personalities or experiences. This is the nature v.s. nurture debate. Individuals only have so much control over their own mindsets (whether they are positive or negative), but both internal and external forces can alter it so drastically. Could someone with a positive outlook on life who believes that human lives matter and do mean something be changed into an existentialist by something like depression? And does existentialist even necessarily mean negative? Can one change their philosophy based on a conversation or the development of new evidence, in the same way one might change a political belief? I am curious about how my personal philosophy will continue to develop in the coming years, now that I am aware of it, and know what I believe in.