Unit 2: ExistentialismHuman Responsibility

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONAre humans responsible for their

actions?

React (silently, on paper)

A man sues McDonald’s after suffering a heart attack. He blames the firm for not notifying him that 3 Big Macs a day might be unhealthy.

Agree/disagree.Think about responsibility.

A man is accused of

beating his child. He appeals to the judge:

I knew no other way to discipline for I too was beaten as a child.

I thought that’s what you did as a parent.

React

A young woman turns to a life of prostitution…

after a childhood filled with sexual abuse committed by her stepfather.

React

A young man opens fire on his college campus, injuring and murdering a number of his schoolmates.

After investigating, police find journals filled with stories about how the young man had been bullied throughout his entire childhood.

React

If you live in a competitive, materialistic, cut-throat society, you will most likely adopt that behavior.

React

A girl grows up to be a good student who spends her free time working at Sacred Heart and tutoring her friends in math (for free).

When she was younger, her college-educated parents brought her to volunteer on the weekends and taught her the value of being a good friend.

React

You become what

you make yourself to be through your own choices.

Even though we think we are free, we are just acting out the role given to us by God. What happens to us is pre-determined.

Q: Are Human Beings Responsible?

Are we responsible for everything we do?

Can we blame our environment? Family? Friends? Enemies? Others? Experiences?

Scenarios

Dad beats kid McDonalds --> heart attack Prostitute School shooting Society shapes us Good, smart girl God has a plan We choose our path

Q: Are Human Beings Responsible?

Some Answers…

FATALISM

FREE WILL

DETERMINISM

Q: Are Human Beings Responsible?A: No - Fatalism

Stoics, Puritans, Oedipus Destiny is predetermined No cause and effect No logical reason People = puppets of God, Fate, stars,

etc. We have no responsibility We are born the way we are and will be

Q: Are Human Beings Responsible?A: Yes – Free-Will

Sartre Each human is totally free and

responsible NO outside forces determine choice Humans are self-reflective and rational

Q: Are Human Beings Responsible?A: Maybe - Determinism

Karl Marx (economist) Actions result from prior conditions All a matter of cause and effect HEREDITY and ENVIRONMENT

determine what happens in a person’s life

Q: Are Human Beings Responsible?

With which philosophy do you agree? Refer to what you read in No Exit and

Respectful Prostitute

WRITE/DISCUSS:

Analyze the actions of the characters Determine whether or not they are

responsible (think fate v. free will) Cite examples