Quotes & Sayings


We, and creation itself, actualize the possibilities of the God who sustains the world, towards becoming in the world in a fuller, more deeper way. - R.E. Slater

There is urgency in coming to see the world as a web of interrelated processes of which we are integral parts, so that all of our choices and actions have [consequential effects upon] the world around us. - Process Metaphysician Alfred North Whitehead

Kurt Gödel's Incompleteness Theorem says (i) all closed systems are unprovable within themselves and, that (ii) all open systems are rightly understood as incomplete. - R.E. Slater

The most true thing about you is what God has said to you in Christ, "You are My Beloved." - Tripp Fuller

The God among us is the God who refuses to be God without us, so great is God's Love. - Tripp Fuller

According to some Christian outlooks we were made for another world. Perhaps, rather, we were made for this world to recreate, reclaim, redeem, and renew unto God's future aspiration by the power of His Spirit. - R.E. Slater

Our eschatological ethos is to love. To stand with those who are oppressed. To stand against those who are oppressing. It is that simple. Love is our only calling and Christian Hope. - R.E. Slater

Secularization theory has been massively falsified. We don't live in an age of secularity. We live in an age of explosive, pervasive religiosity... an age of religious pluralism. - Peter L. Berger

Exploring the edge of life and faith in a post-everything world. - Todd Littleton

I don't need another reason to believe, your love is all around for me to see. – Anon

Thou art our need; and in giving us more of thyself thou givest us all. - Khalil Gibran, Prayer XXIII

Be careful what you pretend to be. You become what you pretend to be. - Kurt Vonnegut

Religious beliefs, far from being primary, are often shaped and adjusted by our social goals. - Jim Forest

We become who we are by what we believe and can justify. - R.E. Slater

People, even more than things, need to be restored, renewed, revived, reclaimed, and redeemed; never throw out anyone. – Anon

Certainly, God's love has made fools of us all. - R.E. Slater

An apocalyptic Christian faith doesn't wait for Jesus to come, but for Jesus to become in our midst. - R.E. Slater

Christian belief in God begins with the cross and resurrection of Jesus, not with rational apologetics. - Eberhard Jüngel, Jürgen Moltmann

Our knowledge of God is through the 'I-Thou' encounter, not in finding God at the end of a syllogism or argument. There is a grave danger in any Christian treatment of God as an object. The God of Jesus Christ and Scripture is irreducibly subject and never made as an object, a force, a power, or a principle that can be manipulated. - Emil Brunner

“Ehyeh Asher Ehyeh” means "I will be that who I have yet to become." - God (Ex 3.14) or, conversely, “I AM who I AM Becoming.”

Our job is to love others without stopping to inquire whether or not they are worthy. - Thomas Merton

The church is God's world-changing social experiment of bringing unlikes and differents to the Eucharist/Communion table to share life with one another as a new kind of family. When this happens, we show to the world what love, justice, peace, reconciliation, and life together is designed by God to be. The church is God's show-and-tell for the world to see how God wants us to live as a blended, global, polypluralistic family united with one will, by one Lord, and baptized by one Spirit. – Anon

The cross that is planted at the heart of the history of the world cannot be uprooted. - Jacques Ellul

The Unity in whose loving presence the universe unfolds is inside each person as a call to welcome the stranger, protect animals and the earth, respect the dignity of each person, think new thoughts, and help bring about ecological civilizations. - John Cobb & Farhan A. Shah

If you board the wrong train it is of no use running along the corridors of the train in the other direction. - Dietrich Bonhoeffer

God's justice is restorative rather than punitive; His discipline is merciful rather than punishing; His power is made perfect in weakness; and His grace is sufficient for all. – Anon

Our little [biblical] systems have their day; they have their day and cease to be. They are but broken lights of Thee, and Thou, O God art more than they. - Alfred Lord Tennyson

We can’t control God; God is uncontrollable. God can’t control us; God’s love is uncontrolling! - Thomas Jay Oord

Life in perspective but always in process... as we are relational beings in process to one another, so life events are in process in relation to each event... as God is to Self, is to world, is to us... like Father, like sons and daughters, like events... life in process yet always in perspective. - R.E. Slater

To promote societal transition to sustainable ways of living and a global society founded on a shared ethical framework which includes respect and care for the community of life, ecological integrity, universal human rights, respect for diversity, economic justice, democracy, and a culture of peace. - The Earth Charter Mission Statement

Christian humanism is the belief that human freedom, individual conscience, and unencumbered rational inquiry are compatible with the practice of Christianity or even intrinsic in its doctrine. It represents a philosophical union of Christian faith and classical humanist principles. - Scott Postma

It is never wise to have a self-appointed religious institution determine a nation's moral code. The opportunities for moral compromise and failure are high; the moral codes and creeds assuredly racist, discriminatory, or subjectively and religiously defined; and the pronouncement of inhumanitarian political objectives quite predictable. - R.E. Slater

God's love must both center and define the Christian faith and all religious or human faiths seeking human and ecological balance in worlds of subtraction, harm, tragedy, and evil. - R.E. Slater

In Whitehead’s process ontology, we can think of the experiential ground of reality as an eternal pulse whereby what is objectively public in one moment becomes subjectively prehended in the next, and whereby the subject that emerges from its feelings then perishes into public expression as an object (or “superject”) aiming for novelty. There is a rhythm of Being between object and subject, not an ontological division. This rhythm powers the creative growth of the universe from one occasion of experience to the next. This is the Whiteheadian mantra: “The many become one and are increased by one.” - Matthew Segall

Without Love there is no Truth. And True Truth is always Loving. There is no dichotomy between these terms but only seamless integration. This is the premier centering focus of a Processual Theology of Love. - R.E. Slater

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Note: Generally I do not respond to commentary. I may read the comments but wish to reserve my time to write (or write from the comments I read). Instead, I'd like to see our community help one another and in the helping encourage and exhort each of us towards Christian love in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. - re slater

Sunday, December 24, 2023

Existentialism in Education: Themes, Philosophers, Pros and Cons



Existentialism in Education:
Themes, Philosophers, Pros and Cons



Existentialism is a philosophical movement that emphasizes individual freedom and choice, and the inherent meaninglessness of life. It has been a popular topic in academic circles for many years but has only recently begun to make its way into mainstream education.

This is due to the fact that existentialism can be seen as a response to existential angst – a feeling of anxiety and despair that comes from the realization of our own mortality.

In this blog post, we will explore existentialism in education, discussing the themes and philosophers associated with it. We will also look at the pros and cons of existentialism in the classroom.

Themes of existentialism

There are several existentialist themes, including freedom, choice, and responsibility. These themes are often explored through literature and philosophy, two subjects integral to existentialist thought.

One of the central themes of existentialism is freedom. Existentialists believe that humans are free to choose their own paths in life and that they are responsible for their own choices.

Another central theme of existentialism is choice. Existentialists believe that humans have the power to choose their own lives and that they are responsible for their own actions. This theme is often explored in literature, where characters must make difficult choices that determine their fate. In philosophy, existentialists focus on the concept of choice, and how it relates to human existence.

A third central theme of existentialism is responsibility. Existentialists believe that humans are responsible for their own choices and actions. This theme is often explored in literature, where characters must face the consequences of their decisions. In philosophy, existentialists focus on the concept of responsibility, and how it relates to human existence.

Famous existentialism philosophers

Existentialism is a philosophical movement that emphasizes individual freedom and choice, and the inherent meaninglessness of life. It was born out of the existential crisis of the 20th century, which was marked by two world wars, the Holocaust, and other tragedies.

Famous existentialist philosophers include Jean-Paul Sartre, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Martin Heidegger. These thinkers have had a profound influence on existentialism in education.

Jean-Paul Sartre was one of the most famous philosophers of the 20th century. He was a leading figure in existentialism and Marxist theory. He argued that humans are free and responsible for their own choices and that there is no inherent meaning in life.

Friedrich Nietzsche was another important philosopher of the 20th century. He believed in the concept of “the will to power,” which holds that humans are driven by a desire to dominate and control their environment. He also argued that there is no objective truth, only interpretations that vary from person to person.

Martin Heidegger was a German philosopher who is considered one of the founders of existentialism. He developed the concept of “being-in-the-world,” which holds that humans always exist in relation to their surroundings. He also argued that existence precedes essence, meaning that people do not inherit predetermined roles or identities, but must create their own meanings in life.

What existentialism teaches us

Existentialism can be seen as a liberating philosophy, as it emphasizes individual freedom and choice. It allows us to take control of our own lives and gives us the power to create our own meaning. This can be an empowering prospect, especially when we feel lost or overwhelmed.

Existentialism also encourages us to face death and our own mortality head-on. This can be a daunting task, but it can also be liberating. It helps us to realize that life is precious and that we should make the most of it while we can.

Finally, existentialism teaches us that life is ultimately meaningless. This may seem like a negative thing, but it can actually be quite freeing. It means that we are not bound by tradition or convention – we can create our own meaning in life, based on our own values and beliefs.

Existentialism in education

Though existentialism has been around for quite some time, it has only recently begun to make its way into mainstream education. This is due to the fact that existentialism can be seen as a response to existential angst – a feeling of anxiety and despair that comes from the realization of our own mortality.

Many people find existentialism to be a helpful philosophy when it comes to making sense of life. It allows us to confront the fact that life is ultimately meaningless, and yet we still have the power to create our own meaning. This can be a liberating realization, as it puts the responsibility for our lives squarely on our own shoulders.

Existentialism can also be helpful in terms of understanding our own emotions and motivations. It teaches us that we should not necessarily try to suppress or ignore our feelings, but rather should face them head-on and try to understand what they are telling us.

Overall, existentialism can be a valuable tool for both educators and students. It can help us to better understand ourselves and the world around us, and it can provide us with a framework for creating our own meaning in life.

Conclusion

So, what is existentialism? In short, it’s a philosophical movement that emphasizes individual freedom and choice, and the inherent meaninglessness of life.

It has been a popular topic in academic circles for many years but has only recently begun to make its way into mainstream education. This is due to the fact that existentialism can be seen as a response to existential angst – a feeling of anxiety and despair that comes from the realization of our own mortality.

Although there are many different interpretations of existentialism, all variants share one common belief: that humans must create their own meaning in life, as there is no inherent meaning given by God or nature. Some people view this as a bleak outlook on life, while others see it as an opportunity for liberation and growth.

What are your thoughts on existentialism in education? Do you think it offers students a valuable perspective on the world? Or do you think it’s too nihilistic and depressing?