Question: Be creative with answers, each question must be answered with a min of 5 complete sentences.

Part I: Read and reply to the following questions:

1. The bystander effect, or bystander apathy, is a social psychological phenomenon in which individuals are less likely to offer help to a victim when other people are present. The greater the number of bystanders, the less likely it is that any one of them will help. Why do you think some people may act while others may not?

2. Do you think that past traumatic experiences can impact your ability to act out on your free will? If so in what ways and if not, why do you think that?

3. What the following video and comment: Do you agree that we are condemned to be free? That existence precedes essence?

John Paul Sartre and the Existential Choice

John Paul Sartre and the Existential Choice (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site.John Paul Sartre and the Existential Choice

Part II: Read and reply to at least (2) students' comments regarding these question

Student 1

1. In this day and age, we all have cell phones with cameras, this has increased the problem of people not acting to help a victim. People all assume that someone else will help because they don't want to put their neck out. People tend to think that if there is someone who can help better with the situation, someone who can do more than themselves. The other problem with technology is everybody wants to be the person who recorded the situation. They are hoping to get the 15 mins of fame because they were there and was able to record and become famous. They want to go on the tours around tv shows and radio interviews because they were the one who was there and recorded it versus the one who helped.

2. Yes, I think that past traumatic experiences have an effect on our ability to act out on free will. I think that if your past traumatic experience was negative that your free will can be halted for fear of what happened in the past. You will not want to repeat negative outcomes, so your free will becomes jaded and tainted towards letting you make a choice that will become negative. You have a choice to put your hand on a hot stove, and you might have done it once. But you remember how painful it was and your free will is no longer free, your answer is not to do it again. Although you can still do it because of free will it is pretty much predetermined that your free will is a no.

3. Yes, I think we are condemned to be free, there is no instruction manual on how we are supposed to be. So how can we be contained if we don't know how we're going to turn out, how can you cage something that you don't know how it will turn out. It's like building a cage for a bear but what is created is a mouse, the mouse will get out and be free. "I am what I do" is a great way of talking about existence precedes essence, you create yourself from the things you do in life. What you do with your life is what defines you.

Student 2

1. There are numerous reasons why most people are bystanders. I feel like one of the reasons is that the person does not feel comfortable or any sympathy. They think that it is better to not associate the situation as their own, especially when there are also people doing the same action. That comes to show how distant we are as human beings since many of us are not familiar with ourselves. It reminds of the fact that people are too busy with life's demands rather than experiencing life itself. Those who stand up to others tend to have a deep emotional connection and the need to help other people. They also feel confident in themselves that they are making a difference. Even if it comes unrecognized, people will feel good that they have helped someone in need.

2. Traumatic events do impact our ability on free will. It all comes down to how we approach these experiences to either help or damage us. Some people can be able to find closure and motivate to not get into that state again. They feel like they have the option to change the course of their lives. But even the strongest people have their bad days. As for others, some might feel worthless and that their events limit who they are as a person. That is why it is important to be aware of these feelings and talk to someone you trust. Also, we should find reasons to motivate ourselves through out life, even if it is for a small reason.

3. I think John Paul Sartre's claim may have some truth in it. However, I do not resonate with it since human beings perform out of emotional needs. It is hard to accept that humans just merely exist without any purpose. All of us contribute to society to some way to help function our world. Even if it is a way of life, there are many things as to why we exist. It should not be looked down upon that we think that we have the freedom of choice. It is for the sake of our mental health that we are given some kind of feeling that we are free, even fate decides for us.