For this final project, you are to experiment with wholehearted, vigorous, positive attitudes in response to challenges—to the extent that you think and feel it appropriate to do so—and explore the use of such attitudes philosophically. William James was an advocate of a vigorous, hearty, robust, “strenuous,” affirmative attitude. For him, the great questions of life cannot be decided simply on the grounds of scientific fact or logical reasoning. Human beings are left with making a commitment, one way or the other (to refuse to commit is itself a certain kind of commitment, with risks like any other).
Again, as always, you are to adjust this assignment to what you feel is compatible with your present thoughts and feelings. You are never asked to act in violation of your own convictions. During this unit we will see James’s exemplification of and qualification to his recommendation as well as a piece by Heidegger which may be taken, to some extent as a critique. If you believe you have reason to do a different assignment, you are always welcome to discuss an alternative with the instructor.
Note: the projects are designed to be quite challenging. If you have struggled with previous projects or are having trouble with this one, it is your responsibility to see your section leader for help.
Part I. Take one or more problems you are presently confronting. Describe your experience of living wholeheartedly in a positive attitude during the weeks of this unit of the course. (1-2 pages)
Part II. Construct a Jamesian commentary on your experience as you have described it. Draw on several specific passages from James, and state carefully how they are relevant to the experience you reported. (1-2 pages)
Part III. Develop your response evaluation of the Jamesian commentary. Include a discussion of qualifications to the proposal of positive attitudes and objections to positive attitudes. Articulate a deeper concept of positive attitude and express your appreciation of whatever strength(s) you find in James’s philosophy of vigorously affirmative attitude. If you prefer, you are welcome to interlace the last two parts, to make it more like a dialogue. Nevertheless, be sure to do a thorough job in addressing the details of each part of the assignment. (2 pages)
Here is an exercise that you may find helpful in addressing challenges. Many times the obstacles before us seem overwhelming because there are so many aspects of challenge in them. However, if we break up problems into simpler components, our ability to think and use language and focus our reflection will come to our aid. We can ascend the problem, step by step. As always, you are invited to modify the exercise creatively in whatever way you find presently helpful.
We are going to reflect on many types of challenge: uncertainty, disappointment, apparent defeat, difficulties, immensity, the inexplicable. We are going to take time to consider these challenges, one by one. Contemplate them and give yourself time to let the progressive attitudes emerge. There is a two-fold process here: on the one hand, the beautiful attitude is a gift; on the other hand, you mobilize it. Classically, the conscious reception of the gift precedes the mobilization, but in practice you may find that a certain degree of mobilization prepares your receptivity, which, in turn, prepares a higher mobilization, and so on. In this exercise, there is no rush. Take time to think, to be receptive, and to come to a reflective choice of attitude. Once you have accomplished a good decision, you can then go forth wholeheartedly on your path of action.
With practice, you will find that it takes less time to mobilize these attitudes. But give yourself time now to let them dawn gradually.
Let us begin.
First, bring to mind some challenging situation you are facing. Take time to think of it in some detail.
Uncertainty
What aspects of uncertainty can you identify in the situation you are facing? Take time to list them.
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For each aspect of uncertainty, think of the different ways things could turn out. Write these down to help yourself get perspective on the possibilities. Draw an image or create a symbol if you prefer.
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Prepare your attitude toward each of those possibilities.
Honestly recognize the feeling you now have toward this uncertainty.
Now take some time to let a better attitude come into consciousness--indeed, the best attitude you can conceive. Take time to align yourself fully with this new and better attitude. Make a reflective choice of the new attitude. Using whatever terms you find apt, give definite expression to your commitment. Write down your choice of attitude to the uncertainties you have recognized in the situation you are facing.
Disappointment
Are there aspects of disappointment that you can identify in the situation? Take time to list them.
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For each aspect of disappointment, write down some encouraging thought to help yourself get a higher perspective. Draw an image or create a symbol if you prefer.
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Honestly recognize the feeling you now have toward this disappointment.
Now take some time to let a better attitude come into consciousness--indeed, the best attitude you can conceive. Take time to align yourself fully with this new and better attitude. Make a reflective choice of the new attitude. Using whatever terms you find apt, give definite expression to your commitment. Write down your choice of attitude to the disappointment you have recognized in the situation you are facing.
Apparent Defeat
Are you facing apparent defeat? If so, take some time to write down the way things look.
Next, realize that
· the apparent defeat does not have to be the last word in the story.
· the apparent defeats of time should not be confused with permanent and final defeat.
· great accomplishments await you in the future if you mobilize your combined energies of mind, body, and soul.
Write down some encouraging thought--or draw an image or create a symbol if you prefer.
Honestly recognize the feeling you now have toward this apparent defeat.
Now take some time to let a better attitude come into consciousness--indeed, the best attitude you can conceive. Take time to align yourself fully with this new and better attitude. Make a reflective choice of the new attitude. Using whatever terms you find apt, give definite expression to your commitment. Write down your choice of attitude to the apparent defeat you have recognized in the situation you are facing.
Difficulties
The term “difficulties” here is a general, catch-all term. You have done much of the preliminary work in the previous three parts of this exercise, and now you are face to face with what you have to do. This is a pivotal time in the exercise, and there is some heavy lifting ahead.
What difficulties are you dealing with? Take time to list them.
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For each difficulty, think of your resources for responding to it. Write them down. Draw an image or create a symbol if you prefer.
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Honestly recognize the feeling you now have toward the difficulties.
Now take some time to let a better attitude come into consciousness--indeed, the best attitude you can conceive. Take time to align yourself fully with this new and better attitude. Make a reflective choice of the new attitude. Using whatever terms you find apt, give definite expression to your commitment. Write down your choice of attitude to the difficulties you have recognized in the situation you are facing.
Immensity
Is there some challenging aspect of immensity that you can identify in the situation? Perhaps the task before you is huge and seems overwhelming. It would take years to accomplish, and perhaps the coordinated effort of untold numbers of people. Take time to write it out for yourself in words.
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Imagine yourself, step by step, the accomplishment of the immense task. Put that vision into words or draw an image or create a symbol of your eventual accomplishment.
Honestly recognize the feeling you now have toward this immensity.
Now take some time to let a better attitude come into consciousness--indeed, the best attitude you can conceive. Take time to align yourself fully with this new and better attitude. Make a reflective choice of the new attitude. Using whatever terms you find apt, give definite expression to your commitment. Write down your choice of attitude to the immensity you have recognized in the situation you are facing.
The inexplicable
Is there something about the situation that is simply baffling, something you can’t explain? Is there something that seems to oppose your responsible belief in an underlying goodness in universe reality and the promise that things can really improve?
List the aspects of the situation that challenge you because you have no explanation for them.
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Whatever positive faith you may have, write down how that faith would teach you to view these inexplicables.
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Honestly recognize the feeling you now have toward what is inexplicable in this situation.
Now take some time to let a better attitude come into consciousness--indeed, the best attitude you can conceive. Take time to align yourself fully with this new and better attitude. Make a reflective choice of the new attitude. Using whatever terms you find apt, give definite expression to your commitment. Write down your choice of attitude to that which is inexplicable that you have recognized in the situation.
Congratulations! You have chosen vigorous, even heroic attitudes in response to the full range of challenges you discern in your current situation. Now that you have completed the exercise, you can join with far more depth and integrity in the affirmation:
In teamwork with the progressive personalities and working harmoniously with the forces of reality, we can achieve anything!