Contextualization

This project aims to explore the relationship between freedom and subjectivity. Freedom is a complex and multifaceted concept that has been the subject of many philosophical debates throughout history. We usually understand freedom as the ability to act according to our will, but philosophy goes further and questions whether we really have such freedom, whether it is absolute or limited, and how it relates to other concepts, such as responsibility and morality.

Subjectivity refers to the individual experience of perceiving and understanding the world. It is inherent to the human condition, since each one of us has a unique worldview, built from our personal experiences, our emotions, and our understanding. The concept of subjectivity is central to many philosophical currents, especially those that approach issues of identity and autonomy.

By exploring freedom and subjectivity, we will approach the thoughts of great philosophers, such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Friedrich Nietzsche, Michel Foucault, Simone de Beauvoir, among others, each one contributing with a unique and valuable perspective on these issues.

The question of freedom and subjectivity is extremely relevant in the contemporary world. We all struggle daily to reconcile our desires for freedom with the social, cultural, and biological conditionings that shape our subjectivity. Understanding this issue is at the heart of many current social, political, and ethical debates, such as personal autonomy, human rights, gender equality, freedom of speech, among others.

Furthermore, this relationship between freedom and subjectivity is a central issue in the challenges of education and career that we face in the 21st century. In this context of rapid technological and cultural changes, we are constantly challenged to make decisions about our future, deal with uncertainties, adapt to new situations, and manage our emotions and expectations.

In this journey of exploration, students may use the book "Existentialism is a Humanism" by Sartre, and "The Second Sex" by Simone de Beauvoir, both available in the digital collection of the National Library of Congress. In addition, the PhilPapers portal, which gathers theses, articles, and academic essays on philosophy, is an excellent source of research. In this portal, students can read the original works of great philosophers and explore the vast secondary literature on the subject.

Practical Activity

Activity Title:

Journey through Freedom and Subjectivity: A Documentary and Creative Analysis.

Project Objective:

This project aims to deepen students' understanding of the complex relationship between freedom and subjectivity, while familiarizing themselves with the perspective of different philosophers and applying these concepts to the contemporary world.

In addition, this project also aims to develop essential skills, such as research and comprehension of academic texts in philosophy, argumentation and critical thinking skills, teamwork, planning and time management, and creativity.

Detailed Description of the Project:

Students will work in groups of 3 to 5 people. Each group will focus on the works and thoughts of a specific philosopher who has addressed the themes of freedom and subjectivity. The reflections will be transformed into a documentary, which should be complemented by a written report.

Necessary Materials:

• Internet for research
• Camera for recording (can be from the smartphone itself)
• Video editing software
• Books and academic articles

Detailed Step-by-Step Procedure for the Activity:

1. Students are divided into groups of 3 to 5 people.
2. Each group is assigned a philosopher to study.
3. Students research the assigned philosopher and record the main ideas related to freedom and subjectivity.
4. Based on the research, students create a storyboard for the documentary, focusing on explaining and discussing their ideas and applying them to our current context.
5. Students film and edit the documentary, which may include interviews, dramatizations, stock footage, narrations, etc.
6. In parallel with the production of the documentary, students prepare a written report, which should detail the video creation process, the ideas explored, and the group's reflections and conclusions.
7. Students present the documentary and submit the report.

Project Deliverables:

Each group must deliver:

1. Documentary: A 15 to 20 minute documentary exploring the assigned philosopher's ideas on freedom and subjectivity. The documentary should explain these ideas in an accessible way, demonstrate a critical understanding of these ideas, and apply them to the contemporary world.

2. Report: A written report complementing the documentary. The report should contain:

   • Introduction: Contextualization of the theme, its relevance and application in the real world, and the project's objective.
   • Development: Theoretical explanation about the philosopher and the ideas related to the theme. Detailed description of the documentary creation process, including the research and production methodology used. Finally, presentation and discussion of the results obtained.
   • Conclusion: Summary of the main points discussed in the project, the learnings acquired, and the conclusions drawn on the theme.
   • Bibliography: List of sources used, including books, articles, websites, videos, etc.

3. Presentation: Oral presentation of the documentary and the main points of the report to the class and to the teacher.

Connection of the Activities with the Deliverables:

During the documentary production, students will be directly applying the concepts of freedom and subjectivity that they researched, which will enhance the understanding and handling of these concepts. The documentary creation process will also develop teamwork, time management, and creativity skills.

The written report is an opportunity for students to explain and reflect on the documentary creation process, the ideas they discovered, and the conclusions they reached. The report will develop writing skills, critical thinking, and argumentation skills.

The oral presentation is an opportunity for students to communicate their ideas and findings to others, adding even more depth to their understanding of the concepts of freedom and subjectivity.