Description/Reflection:
Description - The "Your Purpose on Earth" project was mainly about existentialism. The existential crisis is to question your purpose or meaning in life. During this project we studied existentialism as well as other important attributes. We studied Transcendentalism, an aspect to reality that is higher than (or transcends) our everyday life and world. We also studied Eudaimonia, a deeper sense of contentment you feel when you have cultivated your own humanity, your own moral character, your own “best self”. We studied these separately and we studied them together, and how they connect and work with one another. My view on this project changed so much throughout the duration. I wasn't a huge fan of the project at the start, I thought this was going to be a repeat of "The Truth of Happiness" project, but just with a deeper meaning. As the project progressed I realized that this project was so much different than the other and focused more on meaning, rather than happiness. In my project I focused on these essential questions:
I decided to do a narrative film, rather than a documentary about my philosophy because I wanted the audience to see a man struggle with this feeling and try to discover himself instead of me stating my b-roll in video fashion.
New Insights - During the course of the project my perspective on life didn't change, however my perspective on meaning and human place changed. This was always a difficult topic for me to study at first, but this project inspired me in whole lot of ways. It's made me interested in the philosophy behind meaning and I've explored a whole new philosophy of my own. For me, the idea of Transcendentalism, and existentialism is fascinating and I've grown my love for my life and everyone who lives within. I believe we were all brought onto this Earth for a reason, however we have to find that purpose for ourselves. I do not yet know my purpose, but because of this project I am motivated and inspired to search for it.
When we read "Into The Wild" I got emotional at times. I saw where the protagonist was coming from and sometimes it's sad to think about. Reading about what he learned about himself and how a philosophy within a book changed from beginning to end was very deep and it hit me. Also reading about Eudaimonia was one of my favorite aspects of the project. The whole idea was very interesting and my personal philosophy is mainly about the way I believe we find Eudaimonia.
Further Questions and Intellectual Work Left to Do- I am left with many discoveries and many questions, some of which are very complicated. I still have my goal to find my purpose. This project has pushed me one big step forward into that discovery, but I still know I will work hard the rest of my life to fulfill it.
Here are questions I still ask myself:
Does one only find Eudaimonia when they reach fulfillment in their life?
Does finding a connection to our world set you on your path or answer life's big question?
Can Transcendentalism open a door for Eudaimonia or are their more steps involved? Is it specific to certain people?
I know more questions will be developed during my life, but for now, those are the ones that I still wonder.
- What is the purpose of (your/human) existence?
- What does it mean to live a meaningful life? AND What gives your life meaning?
I decided to do a narrative film, rather than a documentary about my philosophy because I wanted the audience to see a man struggle with this feeling and try to discover himself instead of me stating my b-roll in video fashion.
New Insights - During the course of the project my perspective on life didn't change, however my perspective on meaning and human place changed. This was always a difficult topic for me to study at first, but this project inspired me in whole lot of ways. It's made me interested in the philosophy behind meaning and I've explored a whole new philosophy of my own. For me, the idea of Transcendentalism, and existentialism is fascinating and I've grown my love for my life and everyone who lives within. I believe we were all brought onto this Earth for a reason, however we have to find that purpose for ourselves. I do not yet know my purpose, but because of this project I am motivated and inspired to search for it.
When we read "Into The Wild" I got emotional at times. I saw where the protagonist was coming from and sometimes it's sad to think about. Reading about what he learned about himself and how a philosophy within a book changed from beginning to end was very deep and it hit me. Also reading about Eudaimonia was one of my favorite aspects of the project. The whole idea was very interesting and my personal philosophy is mainly about the way I believe we find Eudaimonia.
Further Questions and Intellectual Work Left to Do- I am left with many discoveries and many questions, some of which are very complicated. I still have my goal to find my purpose. This project has pushed me one big step forward into that discovery, but I still know I will work hard the rest of my life to fulfill it.
Here are questions I still ask myself:
Does one only find Eudaimonia when they reach fulfillment in their life?
Does finding a connection to our world set you on your path or answer life's big question?
Can Transcendentalism open a door for Eudaimonia or are their more steps involved? Is it specific to certain people?
I know more questions will be developed during my life, but for now, those are the ones that I still wonder.
My Personal Philosophy:
The purpose of your/human existence is all up to the person. It's not up to society to give you your purpose, it's you that can create meaning for yourself. Meaning in the world might not even exist but it's the faith you have within yourself that provides your life with happiness and meaning. Sometimes finding meaning can never happen but it's ending your life content and finding happiness that really matter. The world doesn't provide us with any guidance but it's our peers who hint at who we are and it's up to us to guide ourselves through life. When you finally transcend above the challenges and find a way to be the strongest individual you can be, that's when you have reached happiness. Your virtues start your journey into finding yourself, based off of the virtues you find within yourself you can start living an authentic life based off of your personality. There are many ways to connect with the world and create an authentic life. Connecting with nature and finding your place that way, or being self-reliant on yourself, trusting that you will make the right decisions to shape your life are both great ways. I believe that we were all brought into the world for a reason. This reason is different for all of us. Not necessarily that we had a purpose, but because we are all special in our own unique ways. It's not about being like everyone else, being popular, getting the best job, getting everyone to like you. It's about being content with yourself and being proud of who you are and what you have become. That is how to reach Eudaimonia. When you have found your spirit through freedom of mind and individuality that is finally finding happiness. Everyone was born for a reason, everyone is special, and it's up to them to find out how. That is the journey life takes us through, and the reason everyone looks back on life and is content, yet sad, it's because they wanted more, because they have found happiness they don't want to leave the world in which they found it. When you follow your dreams, do what you want to do in the world, that will be or purpose, that will be how you reach Eudaimonia. |
Script /Screenplay:My Honors Personal Narrative: |