HOPE: Human Odyssey to Political Existentialism

This is a course with an innovative approach and a deep reflection. With a brilliant organization and exposition of topics, we are immersed in relevant issues of our time, analyzing concepts underlying our human existence. This course is a journey guided by history, where we find great names of human thought, as well as prominent names in the world political scenario. Due importance is, of course, given to the counter-current of existentialist thought which has reoriented philosophical reflection into lived experience, in contrast to rational idealism. This was, I would say, the part that was missing to indicate the horizon, even knowing the existence of the deep abyss to which we are addressing. In other words, to know the existence of both of the abyss and the horizon is to be aware of human existence itself as contingent, yet still capable of looking beyond its own finitude. Each of us, at least once in our lives, has already encountered or will encounter existential questions, and can hardly find a complete answer. Why do we exist? Why are there other people? Why are we here? Why do we die? These are just some questions about the meaning of our existence that are most often experienced within the limits of our own life or to use a term of Karl Jaspers, in ‘limit-situation’ (pain, death, ecc.).
Another great novelty of this course is to offer us historical awareness. As a social being by nature (being-with-others), the human being should find meaning for his existence already in the course of his own existence, which finds its greatest expression in political life. However, in the question of existence, there are no ready answers, and each individual in his singularity must walk the path of 'anguish' to find the sense of 'being-here'. Seen in this way, that the extensive use of Socratic maieutic was a very strong point of the course, helping us to extract from our own interiority some of the answers to existential questions that are buried in the most intimate and secret part of ourselves, making a wide revaluation of the term 'education' (educere), namely ‘lead out’ from us.
I hope that I will have a new opportunity to follow HOPE again!

I finished the course HOPE, offered by Princeton (Edx). I completed 30 other MOOC before taking this one. This was the Captsone of the previous 30 MOOC. The title of the course itself draws you in like a magnet. It has 2 Names ! 1.) HOPE. 2.) Human Odyssey to Political Existentialism. As we age, we often wonder about what sets us apart as Humans, and brings us together is times of trial and suffering ?

Prof Uriel Abulof ("Uriel") is the front man of this talented team. They explore not only “Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness,” but also “death, freedom, and the pursuit of meaning." This introductory class covers a large amount and wide variety of material. The course is broken down into Byte-size portions, to keep the student engaged. The lectures are sheer joy, and Uriel asks many dark Questions, only to answer them with the blazing noonday sun of truth with logic. He teaches us to Question and probe every age, stage, and phase of our life. He leaves no stone unturned. His lifetime of study is divided across every aspect of our life. His questions provoke the student to reflect deeply, to promote a better life.

This course uses many aspects of Multi-media, and is a rich buffet of new ideas. There are many new terms, concepts, definitions, and ideas introduced to challenge students, to seek out a true answer. Every aspect of the course is integrated, finely woven together. Lectures are reinforced with Music, songs, poetry, Essays, and quizzes. In the past, I often studied and prepared to Pass a Quiz. In this class, I just gave it my best shot. He doesn’t need a chalk board or Power Point slides to present his ideas. He delivers probing questions that make us reason, and see the light of day by contrast. This course is recommended to students of all ages. Each lesson is easy to digest, since you are learning about yourself. Fantastic !

This course is one of the richest and most thought-provoking courses I've taken. It combines philosophy, arts and politics to challenge our notions on a variety of topics ranging from identity, love, hope to alienation, death, god and many more. The underlying philosophy is existentialist, the politics are current, and the references to music, art and film certainly add interest and spark to the course.

One of my favorite things about this course is that it requires participation and interaction between the learners, something I often find lacking in other courses. Each topic requires participation in the discussion forum and a brief contribution to the gallery (well, it doesn't actually require this, since progress is self recorded, however I highly recommend participating as this does lead to some very interesting discussion).

The instructor, a non-native English speaker, is compelling and holds your interest effortlessly, and it is clear that he is as enamored with the topics of discussion, as I - and many of the other learners (judging by the discussion forums) have become.

I highly recommend this course to anyone interested in humanism, existentialism, philosophy, political-science and arts.

This course HOPE: Human Odyssey To Political Existentialism has ignited my interest in philosophy and political science. It has lead a path to self-discovery as well. Existentialism is finding meaning and purpose in this imperfect world. It is a philosophical theory that emphasizes the freedom of choice of an individual to find his xpurpose and create his own destiny. Through this course, I was introduced to great thinkers like Jean Paul Sartre, Albert Camus and Friedrich Nietzche among others. This very intensive course has related existentialism to freedom, love, death, faith and other concepts. This has made me realized that I am a human being who is capable of making my own choice in all aspects of life. This is a philosophy course and yet this is very practical. In the discussions and assignments, I was able to share my personal experiences as an educator, as a daughter, as a believer in God, as a member of a nation and as a human being.
The lectures by Prof. Uriel were so fascinating. I was looking forward to every lesson. The way he handled the course was so engaging.
I commend Princeton University for designing this course. It is my first time to enroll in an online course and among the many courses in EDX, HOPE was the one which caught my attention. I felt fulfilled that I was able to finish this course in spite of some personal concerns and limitations. Thank you so much, Princeton University and EDX for the intellectual engagement. To Prof. Uriel, I hope to meet you in person in the near future. God bless!

first ı started this course ı dont except too much thing. ı am at the carantine and ı was trying to find something to improve my english and adds me anything about being a human cause ı think especially in that time of the world we have to recall what is worth living or is live worth living ?
Anyway ı started this course ı got so much pleasure ,knowledge but most important ı thought actually still thinking things ı havent thought before . Maybe ı felt them or they came to my mind but ı never thought them that systematic so it really broadened my perspective and in that there is a huge role of Uriel and other people who studied for this course. yes, the subject is so interesting but they made it so abyys and olsa so understandable . ı must say that ı really love the musics used and ı watched movie whic took place in that course. I recommend that course to my closest friends and someof them started , we all the time talk about it and it helps us to internalize it better. so thank u very much for that journey.

No doubt it won the number one course. This course is amazing.
It gave me lots of "wow" moments. The combination between music, art, poetry, science and philosophy was enriching , powerful and pleasurable.

some anecdotes...

- when Tori Amos came with "crucify" in lesson 7 I screamed WOW out loud in my living room. also when Bjork came with "all is full of love' in lesson 8. the way art and music was combined in this course was beautiful.

as i don't have deep background in philosophy, sometimes the content in the lessons were hard to grasp, and the music at the end, along with the Discussions- made it clearer. Every single lecture had so many different layers.

- I'm happy i got familiar with Kafka's "before the law". It captures beautifully my favorite saying. a saying that is written in one of Tel-Aviv's theater walls:
"אם לא שמתם לב, החיים כבר התחילו"
(if you haven't notice, life already began).

Kafka's story was not sad for me, but more happy. It's a reminder that u are allowed to live as you are. you have the permission. A reminder that I can trust myself more. To search (and trust) the answers I (myself) find for my questions and conflicts in life. Consulting with others, to exchange thoughts or openly sharing - is one thing; but its different than seeking permission (or certainty) from others, such as friends, family or "higher authority" like books, existentialists, philosophers and professionals. To me, "before the law" emphasize that there's no need to wait in order to participate in life. fully. I can do it NOW.

- will remember the delicate difference between "irony" and "sarcasm" (and many other things).

- the course created hunger to learn more: to watch the movies introduced , to get more familiar with certain artists etc..

- as a high-school teacher, it inspired me to make better classes. (to use more art, to ask more engaging questions, to use quizzes and make the student more active... and more...).

and more....

thank you.