A Little Boy

During our report on Existentialism, we included in our handout a story written by Helen Buckley entitled "The Little Boy". Unfortunately, we did not have time to read it with the class; it was a beautiful story. It was a LONG Story actually, but I found this very cute animation of the story, and I think everyone will appreciate this more. :)

Progressivism is much like existentialism; both highly value the individual, his freedom and the choices that he makes. But I also liked the story that Ma'am told us in class. 

There was this group of children with their guardian, and they were told that they can play in the field and go as far as they want. You would assume that the kids WOULD really go far and do whatever they want, but it was the opposite; the kids played in closer proximity to the guardian. When these children were told to play only in a certain area, and that they were not allowed to go beyond the fences, the kids played further, even far from the guardian, but still within the limits. 

I was thinking about this, and there really is truth to this. But I was also thinking that maybe, if children used this freedom to extremely explore to the farthest corners of the field, they would understand the consequences that came with their choice to do so. If the kids chose to, say, run away from the guardian, and later on get lost, wasn't it a learning experience? To know that because they went too far and out of sight from the guardian, they would get lost? :)) but of course, this would be very unethical if we were to experiment this on our children. haha! They are our responsibility in school after all. And after the teachers go looking for their lost students, the children would finally then learn what would happen if they went that far, and that the next time they're told to go explore, they would not go as far anymore. 

This would then instill fear, wouldn't it? HAHA. I am totally contradicting my thoughts. I really don't know. I'd really like to point out that this freedom to act however they wish to act, came with learning the consequences of their actions, and that they are able to learn on their own the limitations of this freedom (oh, the irony!!)

And I was also thinking, if we completely become existentialists, what about our roles in the society? I know in my previous entry, I was scowling at how rigid and "un-self-centered" pragmatism is, again, I AM CONTRADICTING MY THOUGHTS! HAHA I am confused! :)

I would like to see and experience a fully existentialist school.