Existentialists fight over 'meaning'

So I actually have time to write in my philosophical journal today, rather than using it as a productive method of procrastination. And was there any burning inspiration that hit me? Nope. Isn't it funny how the mind works? I did think of something though.

On the subject of meaning and existentialism. We were doing presentations related to the Theatre of the Absurd today and one of the topics was existentialism. So of course all the philosophers in the room dived in and talked about that. (I'm exaggerating; only Lizzzy and I did, but Hessie talked about the differences between exi and her topic [absurdism].) Something interesting that both Hessie and Lizzzy brought up as being notably existentialist was the way that there was no real meaning in your life. However they both went on to say you had to make up your own meaning. I think this is a result of the video we watched and may be Kirkegaard's brand of exi. (Please correct me on this if I'm mis-remembering.)

This was another one of those "Sartre wouldn't agree with that" moments. He would call people that made up their own meaning cowards/scum, especially if it was that there was a God and they were meant to do their bidding.

I didn't bring this up in front of the whole English class (I think there were a bit intimidated by our knowledge and ability to discuss the topic that they found confusing. It's sad because they seem to consider philosophy as something that philosophers do and that you have to have a lot of specialist knowledge to understand it. It's totally against the whole point of our paper 3 stuff! Having lots of knowledge about other philosophical theories is almost a by-product of doing philosophy; there's no point in debating ourselves round in circles without looking at the thinking other people have done for us. I really think we should correct this view! I think I'll probably be shot if I suggest this to the rest of the class but I think we ought to be given a chance to explain why we enjoy philosophy and that it's not just remembering what people thought. LONG digression, sorry!) but I talked to the philosophers later and they both said that they talked about the finding your own meaning bit because they preferred to think of it like that, personally. Fair enough, I say! We had a lovely little conversation about the differences between types of existentialism.

I really do think of us as philosophers now. To think that I used to worry about what to write here! Being a philosopher is amazing, having fellow philosophers is even more so. I feel a sense of team spirit among the philosophers, more profound than in any other lesson. I suppose we've experienced a lot together, we've chased ideas and undergone some radical thinking changes. I'm proud to be a philosopher!

Also,

I MISS MARGIE!