P1+Sam+Cooper

Terms from //The Stranger//

__Modernism __

Modernism: modern character or quality of thought, expression, or technique (Apple Dictionary).

Today's society is commonly referred to as being modern. It is defined as a "modern character or quality of thought, expression, or technique" (Apple Dictionary). When modernism allows people their own modern "quality of thought", it is usually a break from traditional values (usually religious) in favor of a more open-minded and progressive culture. This favors the individual over society as a whole, allowing each person their own "expression" and thus their own happiness (Shingler). This may also result in a personal sense of alienation if a personal choice is not "socially accepted" (like Lady Gaga, see photo above).

 Works Cited:

 "Modernism". Apple Dictionary. Computer.  Shingler, David. "Existentialism and Modernism." Empire High School. Tucson, Arizona. 10 August 2010. Lecture.

__Existentialism __

Existentialism: 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 (Apple Dictionary).

Existentialism is a theory that derived from modernism that relies on the belief that people must pursue their own interests for true happiness. It is an "approach that emphasizes the existence of the individual person as a free and responsible agent determining their own development through acts of the will" (Apple Dictionary). Each person is a "responsible agent", which means they must inwardly rely on themselves rather than outside influences. They develop themselves through "acts of will" so that they can define themselves //after// they've experienced it (Shingler).

Works Cited:

"Existentialism". Apple Dictionary. Computer. Shingler, David. "Existentialism and Modernism." Empire High School. Tucson, Arizona. 10 August 2010. Lecture.

__Fate __

Fate: the development of events beyond a person's control, regarded as determined by a supernatural power (Apple Dictionary).

When someone mentions "fate", there is a connotation that the events are unavoidable. According to Apple Dictionary, fate is the "development of events beyond a person's control, regarded as determined by a supernatural power." When the events are "beyond a person's control", it is implied that there is nothing they can do to change what has been predetermined for them. The "supernatural power" that decides one's fate is often an all-powerful deity (usually God), which further emphasizes the futility of resisting one's fate as a person is not thought of being able to oppose a divine being.

Works Cited:

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">"Fate". Apple Dictionary. Computer.

__<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Free Will __

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Free Will: the power of acting without the constraint of necessity or fate; the ability to act at one's own discretion (Apple Dictionary).

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">In sharp contrast to the belief of fate, free will is entirely dependent upon an independent person's choices. Free will consists of "the power of acting without the constraint of necessity...the ability to act at one's own discretion" (Apple Dictionary). The fact that one is allowed to to act "without the constraint of necessity" shows that even if the choices one makes neglect what is "necessary", s/he is allowed to make them anyway. The "ability to act at one's own discretion" also implies that every choice one makes is one that they want, not one that has been chosen for them.

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Works Cited: <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">"Free Will". Apple Dictionary. Computer.

__<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Freedom __

<span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"><span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif;"> <span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;"> <span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Freedom: the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint (Apple Dictionary).

<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">Freedom and free will are so closely intertwined, they are nearly inseparable. Though they have similar definitions, there is one small, significant difference. Freedom is "the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint" (Apple Dictionary). I consider free will to be more of a metaphysical concept while freedom is the "power to act and speak". In my eyes, they differ because freedom is the action whereas free will is the choice that preludes that action.

<span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Works Cited: <span style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,serif;">"Freedom". Apple Dictionary. Computer.