Most of you have registered successfully and posted on the class forum! Good start! Those of you who have not, be sure to do it today. If you are having problems, email me at sleon@beaconschool.org. Remember:
Your username should be your Full Name (First and Last). Do not use nicknames and leave A SPACE between your first and last name. Be sure to capitalize the first letter or your first and last name. If you do not register in this way, the system will delete your account. This is a safeguard in place to protect against random spammers from registering for the sight. Take care.
So, to review:
- Use your first and last name
- Capitalize first letter of each name
- Leave a space between the first and last name
Today, you were to prep for the tomorrow’s essay:
You will answer the following question in this essay: Per Man’s Search for Meaning, what is Viktor Frankl’s view of the human condition?
Ultimately your objective for this essay is to craft a thesis reflecting Frankl’s view of the human condition. In doing so, you will demonstrate control of logotherapy (covered in Part II).
The following are major points to consider in his argument:
1. Frankl titles Part II of his text “Logotherapy in a Nutshell.” Scholars suggest his thesis here can be reduced to the Freidrich Nietzsche quote (Remember, Frankl himself cites it on numerous occasions):
“He who has a why to live for can bear with almost any how.”
2. Inner life/value and spiritual freedom
3. Discovering meaning in life in three different ways:
- By creating a work or doing a deed
- By experiencing something or encountering someone (Love)
- By the attitude we take toward unavoidable suffering
*These are key elements and they are, frankly, obvious. Certainly, you can discuss them in your essay; however, do not limit yourself to the obvious. Engage the nuances of his argument (i.e. Noo dynamics). The more nuanced your discussion, the more textual control you have and the more interesting your discussion will be. That is what I am looking for. The less nuanced, the more I will call into question your actual reading of the text.
*In this essay do not merely write that Frankl believes we can attain meaning in three different ways. That is a gross simplification of his existential view and logotherapy. While I do not expect to see mastery in this essay, I do expect to see sophisticated control of his argument.
Your essay should demonstrate control/understanding of both Part I and Part II of the text. So both parts of the book should be explored in your essay. This essay is unlike English essays of the past! Your thesis is actually what you believe to be Frankl’s argument. There should be no critical discussion!
HW: Be ready for in-class writing assignment!