Human Persons as Oriented Toward their Impending Death

Summary

In this insightful lesson by Sir Armand J. Descrison, students explore the philosophical significance of death in human existence. The discussion highlights the importance of recognizing our mortality as a means to enrich our lives and set meaningful goals. Through engaging questions and activities like creating a bucket list, students are encouraged to reflect on their aspirations and the impact of their choices. Sir Armand emphasizes that instead of fearing death, individuals should embrace it as a motivator to live purposefully and fully. The session concludes with a reminder to live wisely, as life is finite.

Takeaways

• 😀 The significance of death plays a crucial role in understanding human existence.
• 😀 Different forms of society, such as hunting and gathering, pastoral, horticultural, agricultural, feudal, industrial, and post-industrial, are discussed.
• 😀 The separation of body and soul is a classical definition of death.
• 😀 People's reactions to the death of loved ones often include sadness and fear of loss.
• 😀 Life is temporary, and it's essential to focus on meaningful experiences and moments.
• 😀 Setting personal goals should involve considering their goodness and potential effects on oneself and others.
• 😀 The concept of YOLO ('you only live once') emphasizes the importance of living life to the fullest.
• 😀 The activity encourages students to create a bucket list and reflect on their life goals.
• 😀 Death should be viewed as an instrument to appreciate life and reflect on what truly matters.
• 😀 The message stresses living wisely and not fearing death, as it is a part of everyone’s life.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the lesson presented by Sir Armand Jade Descrison?

The main theme of the lesson is the significance of death in giving meaning to human existence and how individuals can live purposefully by acknowledging their mortality.

What exercise does Sir Armand suggest to review students' understanding of societal forms?

Sir Armand conducts a review exercise where students identify different forms of society based on provided statements, such as hunting and gathering, pastoral, horticultural, agricultural, feudal, industrial, and post-industrial societies.

How does Sir Armand describe death in the lesson?

Sir Armand defines death as the separation of the body and soul, emphasizing the decay of the physical body while the soul remains immaterial.

What philosophical question does Sir Armand pose to the students regarding death?

He asks how students would feel if someone dear to them suddenly passed away, prompting them to reflect on their emotions and readiness to face loss.

What guiding questions does Sir Armand suggest students consider when setting life goals?

The two guiding questions are: 'Is it good?' and 'What will be the effects of my actions on myself and others?'

What activity does Sir Armand assign to the students at the end of the lesson?

Students are tasked with creating a bucket list that enumerates their life goals, along with writing the possible effects of achieving those goals.

How does Sir Armand relate the concept of death to living a meaningful life?

He suggests that acknowledging death can motivate individuals to reflect on their lives and prioritize their goals, making their existence more meaningful.

What is the importance of the saying 'YOLO' as mentioned in the lesson?

The saying 'YOLO' (You Only Live Once) is used to encourage students to take action and make the most of their lives, emphasizing the importance of living fully.

What societal issue does Sir Armand address while discussing the desire to party?

He highlights the ongoing pandemic as a limitation to social activities, stressing the importance of considering health and safety when making decisions.

What final message does Sir Armand leave the students with regarding death?

He urges students not to fear death but to view it as an opportunity to reflect on their lives and identify meaningful goals to achieve.