{"id":5294,"date":"2019-07-20T02:29:31","date_gmt":"2019-07-20T02:29:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/?p=5294"},"modified":"2024-05-30T21:03:44","modified_gmt":"2024-05-30T21:03:44","slug":"existentialism-in-education","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/existentialism-in-education\/","title":{"rendered":"Existentialism in Education &#8211; 7 Key Features"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignwide size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"724\" src=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/existentialism-definition-and-themes-1024x724.jpg\" alt=\"existentialism definition and themes\" class=\"wp-image-17403\" srcset=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/existentialism-definition-and-themes-1024x724.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/existentialism-definition-and-themes-300x212.jpg 300w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/existentialism-definition-and-themes-768x543.jpg 768w, https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/existentialism-definition-and-themes.jpg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:10px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Existentialism in Education<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Existentialism is a philosophy developed by Jean-Paul Sartre, Kierkegaard and others. At its core it is about rejection of the idea that there is a higher power or god controlling our destiny. With this knowledge we are liberated to make decisions for ourselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In education, it is used as a <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/teaching-philosophy\/\">teaching and learning philosophy<\/a> that focuses on the student&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/agency-examples-sociology\/\">freedom and agency<\/a> to choose their future. Existentialist educators believe there is no god or higher power guiding their students. Thus, they encourage all students to exercise personal agency and create their own meaning for life life.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Definitions of Existentialism<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are three clear scholarly definitions of existentialism:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.ca\/books?id=G05h3H0Zq7cC&amp;pg=PR9&amp;dq=encyclopedia+of+philosophy&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=0ahUKEwi2n8GC68HjAhXiGjQIHUMID4wQ6wEIKzAA#v=onepage&amp;q=existentialism&amp;f=false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Guignon (2013)<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> writes that \u201cexistentialists hold that humans have no pregiven purpose or essence laid out for them by God or by nature; it is up to each one of us to decide who and what we are through our own actions.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.ca\/books?id=W-9NNTtd9NUC&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;dq=introduction+to+philosophy&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=0ahUKEwj7sOnc7MHjAhW8GDQIHbkVDDoQ6wEIPDAD#v=onepage&amp;q=existentialism&amp;f=false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Lawless (2005, p. 326)<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> writes that existentialists believe that \u201cthere are no universal standards for a human life: we are what we do, the sum of our actions.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?isbn=1615303014\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>Duignan (2011, p. 113)<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> writes that existentialists believe that \u201cthere is no God, and therefore human beings were not designed for any particular purpose\u201d. As there appears to be no pre-ordained meaning of life, humans \u201care free to choose how they will live.\u201d<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\"><a href=\"#4_Existentialism_in_Education_and_Classroom_Teaching_Learning\">[Jump to: Relevance of Existentialism for Education]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Seven Themes of Existentialism<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Rejection of Meaning-giving Narratives<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Existentialists do not believe that there is a God who gives life meaning.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We were not designed with any purpose set out for us.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Interestingly, some existentialists are still religious. For religious existentialists, there is a God &#8211; but he hasn\u2019t left any trace or evidence of how we should live our lives. It\u2019s up to us.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Other existentialist do not believe there is a god at all. This has made them pause and wonder: how can I give meaning to my own existence?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\"><a href=\"#4_Existentialism_in_Education_and_Classroom_Teaching_Learning\">[Jump to: Relevance of Existentialism for Teachers]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Existence precedes Essence<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>Essence: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Who we are. Our identities.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Existence:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The fact that we are alive, right now.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u2018Existence precedes essence\u2019 is Jean Paul Sartre\u2019s famous phrase.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Existentialists believe we have to choose for ourselves who or what we will become. Remember: they don\u2019t think God left any clues about how we should live our lives. It\u2019s up to us.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cStop searching for the purpose of life!\u201d they would scream. \u201cYou must create purpose for yourself.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that you exist (existence), you must create your own meaning of life (essence).<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s how Guignon (p. 256) explains it:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u201cWhat this means is we first simply <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">exist<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> &#8211; find ourselves born into a world not of our own choosing &#8211; and then it is up to each of us to define our own identity or <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">essential <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">characteristics in the course of what we do in living out our lives.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Life is Absurd<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Things that make no sense and have no meaning are said to be \u2018absurd\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You might have used this term when hearing a man screaming nonsense on the bus. \u201cHe makes no sense to me,\u201d you might say. \u201cThis man is absurd!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Well, to existentialists, life is absurd. It makes no sense to them at all.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. We live a Life of Despair<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;When we realize our lives have no meaning and no purpose, and that our existence doesn\u2019t make any sense, we might despair. It is, after all, an overwhelming thing to come to terms with.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But, to existentialists, there is no point hiding from the meaningless of life. Just because it\u2019s an unfortunate truth, it doesn\u2019t mean you should run off and find solace in something that\u2019s untrue.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Perhaps, your dusty professor in the cafe by the Seine would say, we use religion to give ourselves meaning because we can\u2019t handle the fact that life is meaningless? How many people in this world have succumbed to this self-delusion out of despair and fear?<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. We always have Freedom and Choice<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Now that you know life is absurd and meaningless, what are you going to do about it?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Something nice about existentialism is that you\u2019re free to choose your own path. Existentialists strongly believe that we have the free-will and \u2018agency\u2019 to choose our own path in life.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How will you make meaning out of your own life?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Will you sit around and play video games all day? Or will you get up, get motivated, and find a way to create something of yourself?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><b><i>Maybe we should be teaching children this empowering \u2018pick yourself up by your bootstraps\u2019 message?<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. We have a Responsibility to be Authentic<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We are free to choose our own life. But we <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">must<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> choose our own life.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Therefore, we are \u201ccondemned to be free\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/quotes\/\">quote<\/a> from Jean Paul Sarte highlights that making choices is very difficult. How do we know that we are making the right choices for our own lives?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The freedom to make choices is a big responsibility.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><b>What are the right choices for our lives?<\/b><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to existentialists, our responsibility is to make <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">authentic <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">choices. This means that we need to make choices that are true to ourselves. We must always reflect on whether our choices are the right ones for ourselves and for creating a personally meaningful life.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What would give you fulfillment in your life?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to existentialism, you need to make choices that will help you obtain that fulfilment. We will call the choices that lead you in the direction of a fulfilling life \u2018authentic\u2019 choices.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Existentialism is a Humanism<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Humanism is a philosophy that believes we should focus on enhancing human life. We should ensure humans\u2019 emotional, social, psychological and physical health is paramount in our minds.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many other philosophies try to focus on one thing, like psychology or cognition. But not existentialism. Existentialism keeps its focus on the whole range of human emotions, and how the human being can create a meaningful life for themselves.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Therefore, existentialism is said to be a form of humanism.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/humanist-theory-in-education\/\"><b>&gt;&gt;&gt;Related Post: Humanist Theory in Education<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right\"><a href=\"#4_Existentialism_in_Education_and_Classroom_Teaching_Learning\">[Jump to: Existentialism in the Classroom]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Key Existentialist Philosophers<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of the great existentialists, only Jean Paul Satre and Simone de Bouvoir ever accepted the characterization. There are many existentialists (or people who influenced the theory) &#8211; in fact, too many to list here. They include: Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidigger, Sartre, de Beauvoir, and Camus.&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are three important figures:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group softborder is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Soren Kierkegaard (1815 &#8211; 1855)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kierkegaard is considered the \u2018father of existentialism\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Below are three ways Kierkergaard influenced existential thought:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>Rejection of organized religion:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Kierkergaard believed that organized religions tried to assign meaning and order to a disorganized world. He found this to be inauthentic and intellectual overreach. Some things about life cannot be explained because they are simply absurd.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/free-will-examples\/\">Free will<\/a>: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kierkergaard also believed all humans have the freedom to choose how to live their lives. These people are obliged to choose how they will live their own lives.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Despair and anxiety: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kierkergaard also believed that the absurdity of life and our responsibility to choose meaning for ourselves will likely lead people into despair.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group softborder is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Friedrich Nietzsche (1844 &#8211; 1900)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nietzsche very strongly influenced existentialism with the following beliefs:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>God is dead: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Kierkergaard believed in god but thought the church was incapable of understanding God. Nietzsche did not believe in God and declared God dead. As a result, a lot of Nietzsche\u2019s writing was concerned about how to live life without the guidance of a God;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Truth is subjective:<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> We all need to make our own meaning in life.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group softborder is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Jean-Paul Sartre (1905 &#8211; 1980)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sartre is the single biggest existentialist philosopher. He believed:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>There is no fundamental meaning to life:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Humans were not made for any purpose.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Existence precedes essence: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We exist, and now that we exist, we must choose our essence (our purpose and identity).<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Condemned to be free: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We all must make decisions in our lives. Even making no decision is a choice made out of our own free will.<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bad faith:<\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Bad faith occurs when we lie to ourselves to reassure ourselves. We often tell ourselves that we have no choice in a situation to make ourselves feel better. However, Sartre thinks we always have free will and should acknowledge this at all times.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Existentialism in the Classroom<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, how would an existentialist approach education?<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here are a few ways:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Educators should help students find meaning for their lives<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students attend school to find out who they are and what they want to do with their lives.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The role of the existential educator is to nurture a child as they seek out ways of living that are meaningful to them. Each child may find meaning in different activities.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">By the end of their education, children should be able to identify how they want to live their lives. They will then be able to make informed decisions about how to live that live which has personal meaning to them beyond the school grounds.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. We should not force \u2018right\u2019 way to live onto students<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Existentialists do not believe we all have a predetermined essence. This means teachers will not try to teach girls to act like ladies and boys to act like men.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Instead, we can each seek out a way of behaving that has most meaning to us as individuals.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Teachers should encourage students to exercise individual choice<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Activities in classrooms that encourage choice are desirable. Teachers can encourage students to make choices by:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><b>Project based learning:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Having children come up with their own project based on personal interests;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Negotiation of rules:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Allowing children to choose the rules that they would like to be seen in the classroom;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><b>Student led curriculum: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The curriculum should be determined in part by the children and with their input to encourage responsible decision making<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Students must learn that their choices have consequences<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Students may make decisions in the classroom that lead to negative consequences. The existentialist educator should show students how the decisions they made led to that result.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When children observe that their choices have an impact, they become more aware of their \u2018agency\u2019. In other words, they\u2019ll realise that their choices really do influence outcomes in their lives and the lives of their classmates.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When saying \u2018choices have consequences\u2019, I am not referring to punishments from teachers. Rather, I am referring to the fact that teachers can point out to students that what just happened in the classroom (good or bad) was in fact a result of a choice they made earlier in the day.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/high-expectations-for-students\/\"><strong>>>>Related Article: How to Set High Expectations in the Classroom<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Students need to accept responsibility for themselves regardless of their circumstances<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many children will come to school with many disadvantages and disabilities, including:<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Poverty;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Physical disability;&nbsp;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mental disability;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Social difficulties;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And so on<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nonetheless, an existentialist would let a child know that they always can overcome adversity through the choices they make.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is an empowering message!<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It shows students that they should have a growth mindset. Instead of saying \u201cI can\u2019t\u201d they can say \u201cI can &#8211; and these choices will move me toward my goals\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A good idea is to present students with case studies of people who overcame adversity by choosing to make an effort and work hard.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/how-to-motivate-yourself-to-study\/\"><b>>>>Related Article: How to Motivate Yourself to Study<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Educators should make students aware of the infinite choices they have in their lives<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Situations in which students claim that they have been hard done by or lack choice or opportunity are teaching moments.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Teachers should help children brainstorm choices they have. They should also encourage students to make decisions based on the best available evidence.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Teachers can also present students with various alternative and non-traditional pathways through life beyond seeking a safe career choice.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Expression of an authentic self should be encouraged<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Student self-expression that is authentic should be encouraged. When children express themselves authentically through art, behavior or school work, they are acting in \u2018good faith\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When students express themselves in ways that they think will make themselves look \u2018cool\u2019 or to impress others, they are acting in bad faith. This is particularly true when the behavior does not reflect the student\u2019s private self.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Strengths and Weaknesses of Existentialism<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Strengths of existentialism include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The emphasis on choice and freedom is empowering for children;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Children are shown that they must work hard and make smart choices to achieve what they want;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/authenticity-examples\/\">Authenticity is encouraged<\/a> which may help with inclusion of LGBTQI students;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Traditionalist and conservative models of education like <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/rote-learning\/\">rote learning<\/a> are discouraged, while more <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/active-learning-pros-cons\/\">active forms of learning<\/a> like project-based learning are encouraged.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container\">\n<p><strong>Weaknesses of existentialism include:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Messages about despair and the meaningless of life may be scary for young children;<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some people believe existentialism does not have a moral core and could lead students to lack any <a href=\"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/obligations-examples\/\">sense of obligation<\/a> to their classmates or society. Key existentialists such as Nietzsche and Heidigger used their philosophy to defend unethical behavior (Heidigger was a Nazi);<\/span><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Existentialism lacks structure and direction as there is no clear life course that students have laid out before them.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">References and Further Reading<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Duignan, B. (2011). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The history of western ethics. <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New York: Encyclopaedia Britannica Publishing. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?isbn=1615303014\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google books preview here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flynn, F. (2006). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Existentialism: a very short introduction. <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Oxford: Oxford University Press. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?isbn=0192804286\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google books preview here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Guignon, C. (2013). Existentialism. In: Craig, E. (Ed.) <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Concise Routledge encyclopedia of philosophy. <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(p. 265). London: Routledge. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?isbn=1134593910\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google books preview here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lawless, A. (2005). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Plato&#8217;s sun: an introduction to philosophy<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.ca\/books?isbn=0802038093\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google books preview here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Magrini, J. (2012). Existentialism, phenomenology, and education. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Philosophy scholarship, 30<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Retrieved from: <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/dc.cod.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1031&amp;context=philosophypub\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">http:\/\/dc.cod.edu\/cgi\/viewcontent.cgi?article=1031&amp;context=philosophypub<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">&nbsp;<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mahini, F. &amp; Yahyaei, D. (2017). The Influence of existentialism on teaching methods. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">International Journal of Learning and Teaching, 9<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(3): 354-363. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.academia.edu\/35003287\/The_Influence_of_existentialism_on_teaching_methods\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">free access here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Koirala, M. P. (2011). Existentialism in Education. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Academic voices: a multidisciplinary journal, 1<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(1): 39 &#8211; 44. Doi: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3126\/av.v1i0.5309\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3126\/av.v1i0.5309<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nepjol.info\/index.php\/AV\/article\/view\/5309\/4408\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">free access here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Panza, C. &amp; Gale, G. (2008). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Existentialism For Dummies. <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New Jersey: Wiley Publishing. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?isbn=0470436891\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google books preview here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sharma, A. P. (2010). <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Indian &amp; Western Educational Philosophy. <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">New Delhi: Unicorn Books. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.ca\/books?id=2o4bTpFQtdIC&amp;printsec=frontcover&amp;dq=philosophy&amp;hl=en&amp;sa=X&amp;ved=0ahUKEwjwyNLc9sHjAhXCFzQIHSlpBhc4MhDoAQhaMAk#v=onepage&amp;q=existentialism&amp;f=false\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jump to Chapter 8<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yue, A. R. (2010). Existentialism. In: Mills, A., Eureops, G., &amp; Wiebe, E. (Eds.) <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encyclopedia of case study research. <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(pp. 362 &#8211; 366). Los Angeles: SAGE. (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/books.google.com\/books?isbn=1506320279\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Google books preview here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This guide outlines 7 ways existentialism can be used in the classroom. If you&#8217;re writing an essay about existentialism and education look no further!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":5306,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"default","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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If you're writing an essay about existentialism and education look no further!","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5294","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5294"}],"version-history":[{"count":39,"href":"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5294\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":38544,"href":"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5294\/revisions\/38544"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5306"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5294"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5294"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/helpfulprofessor.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5294"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}