Existentialism Review

I'm out sick today, so we can't finish watching Fight Club until I return tomorrow.  When I'm back we'll finish the movie and discuss how it connects with Nietzsche.

Unfortunately, the snow on Friday cut our already limited time left together short.  After Fight Club, we'll have one day of instruction before your Existentialism Test (on Thursday).  I'll attempt to give a quick rundown of Sartre and Camus with that time.

The bulk of your test will focus on Soren Kierkegaard, since we spent the most time on his ideas through the Either/Or Reading.  Prepare yourself to write an essay on Kierkegaard.

The exact question is still a deliberate mystery, but I'm going to give you a few hints on issues you'll need to be comfortable with:

You *will* have access to Either/Or on the test.
  - You will be expected to have quotes to back up your points
  - You should be able to find stuff in your document fast.  That's what the highlights & margin notes were for, but you should reread elements of it in advance so you are comfortable with it. 

Understanding the overall structure of the book, the differences between "A" and "B" / Judge William

Describe the aesthetic life
   - What's clever/good/useful about it

  - Specific examples, like being able to accurately describe crop rotation

Describe the ethical life
   - Based on the reading, what's the Judge's problem with A?
   - Based on our notes, what is the ethical life about?
   - Again, specific example, such as the five forms of despair.

Be ready to take a position on the relative benefits of an ethical vs. aesthetic life.  What is Kierkegaard's solution?
    - You can get into his ideas about religion, and knights of faith, etc.  Or you can briefly summarize them and move on.  This can be a primarily secular essay if you don't find the religious aspect persuasive.

During today's class, you have a few potential resources:

Read Mr. M's Kierkgaard essay which is found on the Public Drive under Philosophy of Knowledge.  If you can't find it, ask Max or Clare - they're CS students, so they should know how to find that.

Re-read / annotate your Either/Or Readings

Study your notes from the powerpoint

Discuss essay ideas with neighbors

Do other pressing work from another class while not disturbing others.  That's fine too.  Just make sure you're ready on Thursday.

I hope you all have an excellent day, and I will (hopefully) see you on Tuesday.