The meaning of human existence has long been the subject of questions and theories. In the College of Liberal Arts' PHIL 100 (The Meaning of Human Existence), students can find some answers.
PHIL 100 is a class that instructor Aaron Krempa (graduate-philosophy) said is meant to get the students comfortable with thinking.
"When you're teaching an intro to philosophy, when you know these students won't be philosophy majors, the goal is to just get them to think," Krempa said.
The course takes a historical journey through the meaning of human existence, starting with the Greeks and moving forward.
"I've never taken any philosophy course, I've never taken an arts course, or anything," class member Loren Hall (sophomore-economics) said. "This class is a whole new way of contemplative thought. It's out of the box and gets you thinking of your existence, why you are here,"
The class was Krempa's first choice to teach, as he said it adds a lot of value to everyone's lives. Most of the words and concepts were taken from ancient philosophers and required more than the simple memorization of terms a typical class demands, Andrew Paterson (sophomore-psychology and integrative arts) said.
"I think it's challenging and a totally different way of thinking," he said.
Discussion in Wednesday's class was not limited to human existence, covering things that Krempa said many people find difficult to think about, such as "Dasein." Using everyday examples and images, Krempa demonstrated how the philosophy applies to students and the objects that surround them.
"Dasein is a being who questions being. My water bottle is indifferent to being," Krempa said, holding up his green bottle.
One student questioned whether humans were the only example of Dasein or whether animals were included.
Krempa elaborated on this concept by telling a story about his cat and how it sticks to the same habits even after moving to a new apartment where the habits no longer are necessary.
"Certain people see activities in animals that seem to be higher than animal behavior as we normally see it," Krempa said. "But we are the only example of Dasein."
Krempa doesn't mind all the questions. That's what he's there for, he said.
"It's a really good introduction to philosophy if you are looking for a broad and more general class," Krempa said.
e-mail reporter: klk5332@psu.edu
