In class we discussed the existence of masks in society. The narrator explores the masks he is forced to wear by society. Using the list of existentialist ideals we discussed this week in class, write a 1-2 paragraph prediction of how you think an existentialist would respond to the masks we wear in society. Would they approve? Why or why not?
Respond by midnight on Thursday.
Respond to 2 classmates by midnight on Friday
I don't think an existentialist would approve of the masks that we wear in society. The idea of existentialism is living in the moment, and not letting anything or anyone bother you. Wearing a mask contradicts existentialism, because when you wear a mask you are not truly free, you trap yourself within your own mind attempting to be someone or something that you believe that society wants. Thus making you live according to the standards of society and not those of your own.
ReplyDeleteI agree Chris with your view of wearing a mask contradicting existentialism. I never really thought about it that way and this response made me really think in a new way. Yeah wearing a mask does actually make you invisible and not be able to express yourself.
DeleteI agree that an existentialist would not commend of concealing our true identity to please society, because they have two very different motives and beliefs. I also like how you described wearing a mask as trapping yourself within your own self, because it is extremely accurate.
DeleteI agree that wearing a mask in society and existentialism do not work together. A mask shows that you want to hide parts of yourself and be pretend to be something you're not, while existentialists want individuals to act however they want and not feel the need to hide themselves. I think we all agree with this point.
DeleteChris, you are completely accurate in your statement that wearing a mask contradicts existentialism. Masks hide the true feelings of a person, and existentialists believe in the complete opposite. They would want someone to show their authentic identity instead.
DeleteI agree that an existentialist would not agree with the masks people wear in society. An existentialist would want people of society to take advantage of their free will and be who they want to be. Instead, everyone wears masks to hide who they truly are to be accepted and not judged by society.
DeleteIts pretty sad in general for us to wear masks or be able to wear masks in society today. Wherever we go there's always a norm or image that we would need to uphold to fit into society today. In the book Invisible man the narrator explains why and how he uses a mask as his only option to live life day by day. An existentialist would respond very negatively about wearing masks in society.
ReplyDeleteA existentialist would not care about his or her image and would not mind the consequences of doing acts of free will. They would totally disagree with the theme of invisibility and believe that society is corrupting the way we view our lives. Overall, existentialism and masks worn today in society both have separate points and meanings in society.
The main concept of existentialism emphasizes on an individual existence’s , freedom, and choice. This contravenes the notion of the existence of mask in society because people wear mask since society defines how we are suppose to act even if it’s all a pretense and a charade that we put in front of each other to be accepted. On the other hand, an existentialists believes you should live your life according to your guidelines and not the ones bestowed from society
ReplyDeleteIn our lives there's a certain way that we are supposed to act in front of others. Sometimes we must put a “mask” on to act like society wants us to. This opposes existentialist opinions. They believe that the individual defines everything, that they create their own rules. They don't let society control them, so therefore they wouldn't believe in wearing a mask. To existentialists, all the rules that society makes are meaningless. When you are wearing a mask, you are conforming to society and following their rules, which existentialists would be against.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that the masks worn by people opposes existentialists opinions. By wearing the masks you are conforming to society and that is not how existentialists live. They do believe the rules made by society are meaningless.
DeleteI agree that in our lives, there are certain ways we are expected to act in front of other people. Existentialists believe that they should make their own decisions, and not be a puppet of society.
DeleteI agree with Bryan. When we life by wearing masks we are not truly living and upholding the main concepts of existentialism.
DeleteIf an existentialist were to see society today, he would not approve of the "masks" we wear to disguise who we are. Personally, I do not believe that individuals have masks. I believe that if a person is ashamed of how the public views them, then it is that person's true identity is necessity of being hidden behind a mask. So if someone hides themselves behind a "mask", then that person's identity is someone who hides behind a mask, not who is under that mask. That person has to understand that there is no mask. The "mask" is who they are. Not the exterior of the person, but the interior.
ReplyDeleteThe existentialist would not approve of the people who wear this mask because those people are not focusing on themselves, but on other people and how those other people view them. This is not the way to live a life that is valued by the person who is living it. Existentialism is all about personal responsibility and who they are, not how they are seen in the general public.
Your view on this topic is very unique. Yes, I also believe that you are what you show and that the mask is a part of you
DeleteI absolutely agree Andrew! The masks becomes who you are and that's definitely not what existentialism is about. I also agree that existentialists would not approve of wearing masks because they do not waste time on what other people think of them.
DeleteI agree with your point. If a person values themselves, as existentialists do, they would not feel the need to wear a mask in society. Wearing a mask would make an existentialist believe you have no value because you do not value yourself.
DeleteToday in society we are forced to "mask" our true identity to please society. Personally I believe that we do wear "mask"; on the other hand, existentialist would disagree with the existence of mask in our society. Existentialist believe that we make all of our own decisions, and are free to do as we please. A person who believes in existentialism would never were a "mask" because they are the type of people that does not care about what others think of them. They feel as if we are who we are because that is really who we are. Sadly this is not reality though I do feel as if we should also adapt this opinion.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you, that existentialist would disagree with presence of mask in our society. Existentialist would entirely be against those who mask their authentic identity so they can fit in. And I also agree with you about adapting to being true to who we really are.
DeleteYou bring up a good point. An existentialist wouldn't even think about wearing masks. They would probably see the way people act when wearing a mask as a personal choice. Existentialists don't think people should live for others, but rather for themselves.
DeleteIn our society, numerous people wear masks to hide their true identity. These masks can be placed to allow people to become someone they are not, or to allow them to conform to society’s expectations. In an existentialist’s point of view, the use of masks is seen as forbidden. In the world of existentialist, the individual defines a specific value on things and live life according to their own rules. Having the individual define his or her life will prevent them from listening to society for when to put on a mask to change the way they look or act. An existentialist would also live life according to their own rules. This means they do not have to conform to society and behave similarly to everyone else. Existentialists live in the moment and do not worry about people’s opinions, causing them to disagree with wearing masks to hide your true identity.
ReplyDeleteI agree that people wear masks to hide their true identity. Many people in today's society wear these masks to please others, resulting in that person really hiding their real identity. The masks worn would indeed be forbidden by existentialists.
DeleteYes people do wear masks to hide their true identity to conform to what society wants. And it is not what the idea of existentialism is about, thus making existentialist oppose the idea of masks.
DeleteI agree Sam, Existentialists would forbid even the thought of wearing a mask. According to them, the individual defines the values of oneself, no one else can dictate that. This adds to the fact that they do not believe in conformity.
DeleteI agree that people wear masks to be able to conform to what society views as the norm. People wearing masks to hide who they are goes completely against what an Existentialist views. They would want all the masks off and for everyone to show who they truly are, even if they were to be judged by society.
DeleteSociety intact does force us to wear masks to hide our true identity. These masks that we wear allow us to become invisible, just like the narrator in, "The Invisible Man". In an existentialist's point of view, the action of wearing a "mask" to hide ones true identity is uncalled for. Living as an existentialist, the individual them selves decide who they are and puts a specific value on all things depending on their personalities and their own rules they set for themselves. Having an individual define their own life will prevent society from forcing them to be somebody that they are not, or to wear a mask. Living an existentialist life means that you do not have to conform to society and be like everybody else, you can be your own person and not have to worry about what anybody else has to say to you because you're living for your self and it shouldn't matter what other people have to say to you or think about you. As an existentialist, you live in the moment, therefore, wearing a mask shouldn't be an option because you're living for the pleasure of yourself.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with you, an existentialist would not approve of wearing a mask. The individual defines who he/she is, a mask would make them conform to society's rules. I also agree about how you state that they live in the moment, so wearing a mask would suppress that.
DeleteI agree that an existentialist wouldn't approve of masks because of self pleasure. Existentialists don't have to conform to society because they simply do what they desire in order to make themselves feel content.
DeleteToday in society, many people tend to wear masks. These people wear masks to please society or to become someone they really are not. These masks would definitely be disapproved by existentialists. Existentialists believe that you should decide and live by your own rules, also that you are free to do what you want. By putting on these masks to please society you are not living an existential life and therefore existentialists would not approve of these masks.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you, existentialists would disapprove of the use of masks. Existentialists are free to live by their own rules. They go against what society says everyone should do. When wearing a mask, these people are conforming to society, which existentialists would not approve of.
DeleteToday in society, it is common for people to wear "masks" to hide who they truly are. People feel the need to wear masks because society is extremely judgmental towards those who aren't "normal" in it's eyes. Existentialists would feel that "masks" aren't necessary because people have the right to live free and be who they want to be. However, these "masks" that people feel the need to wear to protect themselves are actually hurting them because they are stopping them from being able to express themselves and live free.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement about existentialists thinking masks aren't necessary because of their individualism and living in the moment. These people do not worry about conforming to society and hope to be in charge of their life. It is really sad to see how some people put on masks to hide their true identity when the person they really are is better than who they want to be.
DeleteI agree with you Haley. Existentialist are known for their free spirits and wearing masks for society would contradict everything they stand for.
DeleteI completely agree that these masks are doing more bad then good for the people wearing them. Everyone should spend more time expressing themselves in their own way, rather than worrying about what everyone else thinks about them. I believe that's the way an existentialist would respond to these masks.
DeleteExistentialists would not care for the masks we wear in society. Considering the fact that existentialist primarily focus on life while being in the moment, they simply wouldn’t respect the masks we wear in society. We use masks because we try to hide our true personalities from society for the sake of our past and future. An existentialist would simply be whatever they desire because they do not live for tomorrow or worry about the past. Since the present is the only time existentialists care about anything, they don’t need a mask to hide their past or protect their future.
ReplyDeleteExistentialist would not approve of masks, simply because they are not needed. They believe that the only time that matters is now, so why waste time on wearing ‘’masks”. Masks are solely for people who worry too much about their past or future.
Most of the time, society does force people to bend to their whim. This is explained under the term sentimental conspiracy, which explains the way a culture forces its peoples to participate in social obligations. Everyone in this world is expected to behave a particular way or they'll be ostracized and looked down on. However, in exstentialist beliefs, society has no power. Exstentialists can choose their own rules to follow. They believe they have free will because life has neither meaning nor value. That being said, the idea of wearing 'masks' in the society goes against an exstentialist's beliefs. They would say that masks won't help an individual truly find his or her identity, and that society will most likely not aid in that individual's search.
ReplyDeleteI back your statement of existentialists not wearing masks because they choose their own rules. These people also do not need a confidence boost from society about how they act or what they wear. Existentialists do not give society power because they refuse to wear the masks that allow people to conform to the norms of society.
DeleteToday in society, we are pushed to wear masks that hide our true selves, just to please the majority of society. I do not think existentialists would respond to these masks we wear in society because existentialists believe that value is determined by the the individual through his or her own existence, not society’s existence. Existentialists would not approve of society’s masks because more stress is created because society puts a lot of pressure on the individual to conform to it’s “rules” but, existentialists believe that humans are free to do whatever they want and that are no rules.
ReplyDeleteYes, you're right, existentialists probably wouldn't stress about rules and what others think. They live from day to day, simply concerned about their lives, because that is the best way to live.
DeleteBecause an existentialist is someone who believes in free will and living for the moment, this group would not be in agreement with the masks we wear in today’s society. An existentialist’s beliefs in free will contradict with today’s society’s habits of wearing a mask, which can be translated into being someone that you’re not.
ReplyDeleteAn existentialist would absolutely disapprove of the way people today pretend to be something that they’re not. They would feel the masks were getting in the way of people living their lives freely. Not only does the wearing of masks limit individual freedom, but also prevents people from living for the moment. Those wearing a mask are attempting to please others, in order to get something in return in the future; existentialists don’t live for the future. They also don’t live for others. Instead, they are living for themselves in that moment with complete freedom (at least in a mental way).
I agree with the fact that existentialist would belive the masks are getting in the way of living free. Also I agree with your statement saying they do not live for the future. Wearing masks contradicts all believes formed by existentialists.
DeleteYour statement about mask getting in the way of living free is a great point, I didn't think of it from that point of view. I also agree with you and Alaysia that wearing mask contradicts all believes formed by existentialists.
DeleteBased on the majority of existentialist beliefs, an existentialist would believe that "masks" we wear in society are based on our own insecurities in our heads. Just like the key concept derived from the quote titled The Universe, "the individual defines everything." The masks we wear in society are unnecessary, and are self imposed by ourselves. No one else is to blame. We have the power to control every aspect of ourselves and our mindsets and society does not dictate that, we do.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, the masks are used because of insecurities in our own heads. They are unnecessary. I believe that we should be exactly who we want to be.
DeleteI did not think of the masks being a result of our insecurities, but you are completely right. An existentialist would agree that the masks are unnecessary because only the individual's opinions are important.
DeleteWith the idea of believing in freedom of thought and actions towards life, existentialist may not agree with society having us wear masks. For example, if one wanted to strengthen their religious beliefs, society may make you think the thought is in uncool; however existentialist would say nothing negative towards the idea. Living life to your fullest is the main goal, so existentialist wants us to have complete freedom and expression towards anything. Putting on masks and pretending to be someone we aren't, is obscured and wrong in the eyes of an existential. Even though by living freely, we must always accept the outcome or any negative impact our actions.
ReplyDeleteI agree that living life to the fullest is an existentialist's main goal. An existentialist doesn't worry about the opinions of society's mandates and choose to live according to their own rules. They feel that by distancing themselves from society's social obligations, they become close to finding their identity.
DeleteYou make some valid points. I agree that wearing masks is attempting to be someone that we are not and is the total opposite of what existentialist believe in. Just like existentialist, I believe that we should be who we are and stop trying to be someone we are not.
DeleteIn today's society, we wear masks for whatever purposes that we feel make them necessary. A lot of those purposes include trying to blend, or "fit in" with the rest of society. I feel like existentialist views do not exactly agree with these masks that we put on. An existentialist believes that if one makes a decision, they should follow through; regardless if society approves or not. According to existentialist beliefs, life can only be defined by the individual and only that individual. For instance, if one decides that they would like to dress a certain way, and it is not exactly appealing to others, that individual should dress that way anyway. In conclusion, if an individual decides society's opinion doesn't matter; then it doesn't.
ReplyDeleteYou're right, an individual decides what's important and what's not. Which follows existentialist views on each and every choice being made by the individual and no other outside source
DeleteAn existentialist would disagree with the entire mask concept. Existentialists believe that everyone has complete control over their own actions, decisions, and feelings. So the idea of society forcing us to do anything would be absurd to them. The individuals in a society force themselves to wear a mask to shield themselves from others. Anything where an outside source influences an individual would go against existentialist principles
ReplyDeleteExistentialists are firm in their belief that all individuals are entitled to freedom, and that one’s values can only be determined by themselves. They do not give others the authority to dictate or label their identity. This information makes it clear that an existentialist would have strong views towards the concept of American citizens masking themselves, because it goes against the core values that they believe in. Existentialists try to live freely and independently without the opinions of others interfering with their lives. A key existential notion known as facticity I believe that an existentialist would try to modify such a person’s attitude towards wearing a mask. It is composed of the idea of people not being able to make their own decisions, because they were thrown into a world that they don’t control and did not choose. People that wear masks in society are similar in this aspect because they feel like they have to conform to the ways of the world because they are forced into the world without control over their opinions or feelings.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with you, Nicole. Society does make people feel as though they need to conform, but it is all up to the individual whether they do it or not.
DeleteExistentialists would disagree about the mask-wearing idea in society. They are believers that each individual should do what they feel is best, and each action is uniquely valued to each his own. Wearing a mask in society would force the wearer to act differently and not take ownership for one's true identity, something existentialists value. Wearing a mask would disable the person to truly make his or her own decisions, and thus would be in contrary to existentialists in the manner of them believing that individuals need to be themselves
ReplyDeleteIt's true that existentialists would prefer making their own decisions. They don't like the idea of society dictating what they do and how they feel. Existentialists would most definitely not approve of wearing masks in society.
DeleteI agree with you Andrew. It would be complete opposite of existentialist beliefs to agree with wearing masks that hide who you are.
DeleteAndrew, I agree with you. Existentialists do not care for masks, because they believe decisions should be made by the individual, not the society as a whole.
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