Definition

A philosophical theory or approach which emphasizes the existence of the

person as a free responsible agent determining their own development through
the act of will.
 Following are some meanings of existentialism:
 An antiphilosophy.
 Against the principles of traditional philosophy.
 Rationalism, Absolutism, Universalism are opposed by existentialist.
 Objects are simply present and man interprets them.
 Man makes man.
 Man is total sum of his actions.
 A philosophical theory or approach that emphasizes the existence of the individual person
as a free and responsible agent determining their own development through acts of the will.
 It is subjective.
 Humans possess free will and stand in an absurd and meaningless world or universe.
 Every individual is unique and the sole judge of his or her own actions.
 Choice is vital and inevitable to human existence; even the refusal to choose is a choice.
Freedom of choice entails risk, responsibility, and commitment.
 It is mainly European philosophy that is originated from the turn of 20 th century, but
become popular after world war 2(1939-1945).
 It emphasizes individual existence , freedom and choice.
 Siren Kierkegaard is known as the father of the existentialism.
 The term existentialism is first used by the French philosopher Gabriel Marcel around
1943 and adopted by Jean-Paul Sartre in 1945.
 OBJCTIVES

After this presentation student will be able to discuss about:

Free individuality.

They have no confidence in team spirit.

Any of the child may join any group without compulsion.

Education should help individual to make him human.

Development of introspective powers - self observations .

 Fundamental Principles

 To be or not to be great importance.

 The essence of man lies in existence.
 Freedom is the watch word in existentialism which stands for complete, undiluted
freedom.
 Human define their own meaning of life.
 Focused on existentialism.
 They place more emphasis upon humanities i.e. poetry, drama ,music and art because
they exert human impact in revealing man's inherited guilt , suffering, tragedy , hate and
love.
 Not against religion because religion keeps them aware of death.
Metaphysical
This branch deals with the questions related to existence and reality. Its
main concern is nature of ultimate reality.

 Concept of God
 Concept of Self
 Concept of God
In this Fedric Neitzsche says:
 God is dead.
 Where is God gone?
 What are our churches now?
 God is responsible for evil in the world.
 God do not have all authority and power.
Concept of self
It includes differ view points like:

Jean Paul Sartre says:

 Man is nothing else but what he make of himself.

 Man has no nature but he must create his own essence.
 Uniqueness of man comes from his emotions, feelings , perception a thinking.
 Man is not alone in the world.
 Man cannot be taught what the world is about.
 Man is not connected with others by brotherhood or to any group.
Epistemological
This area deals with knowledge ,its concepts and sources.

This area includes some contributions of existentialists:

 The existentialist approach to knowledge is known as phenomenological method.

 Atheistic existentialists inherited this method from HUSSREL.
 Martin Heidegger and Jean Paul Sartre give their philosophy of will and action.
 Give little attention to inductive reasoning.
 Argues that true knowledge is choosing , actions ,living and dying.
Axiological
This area deals with the study of values.
 Existentialist ethics
 Authenticity & human freedom
 Existentialist ethics
It includes some points:
 Kierkegaard reacted to thinking of epistemologists by saying that its up or individual to
find his own moral position and way there.
 He says : I must find the truth that is true for me… the way or which I can live or die.
 Authenticity & human freedom
It includes some points:
 Special connotation of an authentic man.
 Formula of becoming highest good person
 Formula of full responsibility of one choice.
 Very essence of good choosing.
Process of education
It includes some points:

 Curriculum
 Teacher
 Discipline
 Student
 School
 Methods of teaching
 Curriculum

 Provide scope for the exercise of freedom.

 The child should know his self.
 Problem – solving situations should not be there.
 Knowledge should bring freedom.

Role of teacher

The teacher :
 Should very active.
 Welcome ideas from the students.
 Makes students conscious towards self-realization.
 Concern and respect should for the individual student.
 Discipline

 Individual is responsible for the consequences of the choices.

 Adolescent must be punish, if he is found rebellious in the class.
 Teacher encourage - student to work hard-till he knows the subject matter well.
 Teacher has to assess and guide each of his student;
 Teacher is responsible for the freedom of his student.
Role of Student

Child – centered
 The students must strive to achieve the goals, he has fixed for himself.
 As for him , his potential accomplishment is of supreme importance.
 To acquire values for hard work and to make the best for it.
 To understand that lazy , self – less ,improper life is not worth living.
 Role of school

 A place where students can exercise their free will.

 It’s a place of self discovery.
 Home and school are equally responsible for the education of the child.
 Should provide an environment in which students can grow in a healthy way.
 Personification of freedom is responsible to create essence.
Methods of teaching
 Scientific method.
 Question –answer method.
 Case study method.
 No indoctrination(to accept the set of beliefs uncritically)
 Education for creativity.
 Home education.
 Existentialism and Education

 Complete development of personality.

 Environment as a medium of education.
 Importance to subjective knowledge than objectives.
 Importance to individuality of man in education.
 Opposes scientific, industrial, technological environment.
 Education should create consciousness for self.
Existentialism and Classroom
 Complete a puzzle hunt.
 Read books in different languages.
 Play history games.
 Spend time in nature.
Creativity
 To become authentic man is the epitome of
creativity.
 Most significant creation is the
development of one's authenticity-
overcoming alienation, anguish ,despair
and dread.
 In fine arts main themes are portrayal of
human absurdity , stupidity and tendency
towards abstract and other non-traditional
art forms.
 Most important is the views of individual's
than tags and labels of people on his
creation.
Motivation
 Personal relevance and meaningful
creative activity are the true motivators.
 Teacher should not try to manipulate
students interest but identify and feed
intrinsic student interest or desire.
 Personhoods of both teacher and student
are significant.
 Personhoods are not to be stifled or
inhibited by artificial intelligence or
arbitrary external influences.
Leadership training
 Individuality of all human beings are too
important to groom only some for
leadership and others as fellows.
 Existentialist teacher should work to
make all students a leader.
 All students are capable of being
responsible, sensitive and thoughtful
choice makers.
School communication
 School communication depends on
dialogues and one-one communication
encounters, rap sessions, discussions.
 Much opportunity and encouragement
exists for student-initiated
communication and creative responses.
 Information flows freely among students,
teasers and administrators.
Learning theory
 Mental and personal activity in which
meaning is attached to that which is
experienced as being relevant to the
self.
 Existential psychology of education
relates to phenomenology.
 It includes much attention to insightful
learning and values.
 Theorists include Levin and Roger
with interpretations by Maxine green.
Library and media center
 Existentialism accept interacting with
books and media center but life
experiences are the first-hand element.
 Classroom collections to enhance
student involvement with literature and
art.
 Deprecating of human dilemma and
absurdity.
 Library would be rather untraditional in
collections , its checkout practices and
the way it would be managed.