Existentialism... The
challenge of finding meaning
within existence.
Imagine this...
How is high school an exercise in “figuring it all out” and “finding
out who you really are”? Do you think it is possible to really be
able to say, This is who I am deal with it… as a high school aged
person? Or do you need to go through life and experience tragedy to
figure it all out?
Please respond to these questions in a 9-11 sentence journal entry.
Background Information...
Though reduced now to the level of cliché, Rene Descartes’
famous maxim sums up perfectly the philosophical
underpinnings of existentialist thought.
Existentialism has its roots in the writings of several
nineteenth and twentieth century philosophers, among them
Friedrich Nietzsche, Martin Heidegger, and Søren
Kierkegaard.
The philosophy is by most standards a very loose
conglomeration of perspectives, aesthetics, and approaches to
dealing with the world and its inherent difficulties.
Background Information...
In the most general sense, existentialism deals with the
recurring problem of finding meaning within existence.
From this perspective, there are no meanings or structures
that precede one’s own existence as one finds in organized
religion.
Therefore, the individual must find or create meaning for
his or her self. Existentialist thought has garnered an unfair
reputation for pessimism – to the extreme extent.
Background Information...
 The idea of created meaning strikes some as ultimately meaningless or even absurd.
Some of the popular tropes associated with existential philosophy, such as angst,
boredom, or fear, likewise strike the average observer as dripping with pessimism.
 Nothing in the philosophical train of thought of existentialism dictates a negative view
of humanity or reality. In fact, much of the philosophy revolves around the limitless
capacity for ethically and intellectually engaged persons to enact change in the world.
 Positive change is then an imperative for the true existentialist; otherwise existence is a
complete void. To put it another way, it is not simply enough to “be.” One has to be
“something” or life truly lacks meaning or purpose. From this point of view,
existentialism has the potential to indeed be a very positive means of approaching
reality.
Words to own...
Nihilism: the belief that all values are baseless and that nothing can be
known or communicated. It is often associated with extreme pessimism
and a radical skepticism that condemns existence. A true nihilist
would believe in nothing, have no loyalties, and no purpose other than,
perhaps, an impulse to destroy.
Angst: a strong feeling of being worried or nervous : a feeling of
anxiety about your life or situation
Boredom: the state of being weary and restless through lack of interest
Remember Me Film Study
A Study in Existentialism
Existentialism... The
challenge of finding meaning
within existence.
WARNING!!!!
If you have seen this film,
please do not spoil the ending
for your classmates. You will
be given an alternative
assignment to complete if you
spoil the film.
Part 1: While watching the film
For Tyler and Ally create a list of 10 examples where they
demonstrate ANY of the following: angst, boredom and deeprooted fear. This is a list BUT it needs to be clear that you can
specifically recall the event you are referencing in the film.
 Select one of the minor characters: Aiden, Caroline Hawkins
(Tyler’s sister), Charles Hawkins (Tyler’s dad) or Sgt. Neil Craig
(Ally’s dad) and create a list of 5 examples where he or she
demonstrates any of the following: angst, boredom, and deeprooted fear.
Part 2: After you have watched the film
Q1: Identify how the movie examines Tyler’s personal quest to
define himself and to figure out who he is and where he fits in
with the rest of the world. (7-9 sentences)
Q2: Discuss how the film makes a social commentary on the
perils of figuring out who one is and finding meaning after
experiencing loss and tragedy (11-15 sentences)
Part 3: Class Discussion April 10
You will have a graded class discussion on
existentialism and the film on Thursday April 10.
More information will be made available to you
about this next week!
Points
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Part 1: 40 points
Part 2: 50 points
Part 3: 50 points
Journal: 10 points
Total: 150 points