Philosophy ProjectPhilosophy Project

Paul Lee, Alysza PermalinoPaul Lee, Alysza PermalinoIan Chiang, Jina KimIan Chiang, Jina Kim

Jeffrey TaiJeffrey Tai

What is our philosophy?What is our philosophy?

Meaning: Yoloism: You only live once, so Meaning: Yoloism: You only live once, so live life to its fullest taking everything life live life to its fullest taking everything life has to offer. has to offer. YOLO : “You Only Live Once” YOLO : “You Only Live Once” Origin: Carpe diem Origin: Carpe diem

It’s a Latin poem by HoraceIt’s a Latin poem by Horacetranslated to “seize the day”translated to “seize the day”carpe originally means: to pick, pluck off, cull, crop, carpe originally means: to pick, pluck off, cull, crop, & gather& gatherbut used as: to enjoy, seize, use, and make use ofbut used as: to enjoy, seize, use, and make use of

Leader of our Philosophy Leader of our Philosophy

Inspired Leader: Zac Efron, Drake, Inspired Leader: Zac Efron, Drake, – Zac EfronZac Efron

Tatted “YOLO” on his handsTatted “YOLO” on his handsWhen his acting role called for singing and he When his acting role called for singing and he never had professional singing lessons before, he never had professional singing lessons before, he practiced and practiced for the rolepracticed and practiced for the role

When his acting role called for dancing When his acting role called for dancing and he never thought of dancing for a and he never thought of dancing for a movie role, he practiced for the role movie role, he practiced for the role

Why join our philosophy?Why join our philosophy?

Why?Why?What if you didn’t know you were going to What if you didn’t know you were going to

die tomorrow, wouldn’t you lived your life die tomorrow, wouldn’t you lived your life today to the fullest? You never know when today to the fullest? You never know when you’re going to die, so live everyday like its you’re going to die, so live everyday like its fullest. fullest.

Motto: “Everybody dies but not everybody Motto: “Everybody dies but not everybody lives”lives”

Leader of our Philosophy Leader of our Philosophy

DrakeDrakePreaches Yoloism in his songsPreaches Yoloism in his songsDrake started out as an actor in Degrassi: The Drake started out as an actor in Degrassi: The Next Generation, playing the part of Jimmy Brooks. Next Generation, playing the part of Jimmy Brooks. He took a risk, following his dreams of becoming a He took a risk, following his dreams of becoming a hip-hop artists. He signed with Young Money hip-hop artists. He signed with Young Money Entertainment in June 2009, and from there forth, Entertainment in June 2009, and from there forth, did what he enjoyed best. He is now one of the did what he enjoyed best. He is now one of the highest-paid rappers, earning around $11 million a highest-paid rappers, earning around $11 million a year. year.

Allegory: A BeehiveAllegory: A BeehiveA beehive is seen as a well structured, civilized society, A beehive is seen as a well structured, civilized society,

each bee playing a specific role. each bee playing a specific role. Worker beesWorker bees “travel approximately 55,000 miles in the “travel approximately 55,000 miles in the

summer to collect one pound of honey”. They are summer to collect one pound of honey”. They are industrialist and they strictly live in order to adhere to industrialist and they strictly live in order to adhere to the wellbeing of the society.the wellbeing of the society.

Drone beesDrone bees are “the most expendable” type of bee are “the most expendable” type of bee since they do not collect pollen or nectar. They are since they do not collect pollen or nectar. They are driven out from the hive in times of winter and driven out from the hive in times of winter and starvation. starvation.

The Queen BeeThe Queen Bee functions as the most important bee of functions as the most important bee of the colony since it’s function is to lay eggs. More the colony since it’s function is to lay eggs. More importantly, she is the leader of the colony.importantly, she is the leader of the colony.

What does this all mean?What does this all mean?As a “colony” of people, most of live as worker As a “colony” of people, most of live as worker

bees, contributing to the different needs of bees, contributing to the different needs of the “hive”, which is society.the “hive”, which is society.

- We grow to believe we must become useful We grow to believe we must become useful to society by becoming a doctor or a to society by becoming a doctor or a firefighter or a lawyer. All worker bees live to firefighter or a lawyer. All worker bees live to fulfill a specific purpose, as we do in our own fulfill a specific purpose, as we do in our own lives.lives.

- Drone bees are our society’s “useless” Drone bees are our society’s “useless” people, those considered by society to be a people, those considered by society to be a waste of space or lacking in purpose. Those waste of space or lacking in purpose. Those with dead end jobs or without jobs can be with dead end jobs or without jobs can be considered as a drone bee. considered as a drone bee.

The Queen bee is seen as the leaders of our The Queen bee is seen as the leaders of our society who control the way society is run, society who control the way society is run, designating our purposes as a “bee”. designating our purposes as a “bee”. However, through this allegory, we hope to However, through this allegory, we hope to show how the monotony of life can be seen as show how the monotony of life can be seen as a “beehive”. Our philosophy encourages us to a “beehive”. Our philosophy encourages us to break away from our designated roles and live break away from our designated roles and live life for your self-fulfillment. We do not condemn life for your self-fulfillment. We do not condemn the drone bee for it represents a neglected the drone bee for it represents a neglected group. group. When we take control of how we want our When we take control of how we want our

lives to be, we become alive.lives to be, we become alive.

Our Philosophy In DepthOur Philosophy In Depth

““Everybody dies but not Everybody dies but not everybody lives.”everybody lives.”

The motto is constructed by The motto is constructed by two major foundations of two major foundations of

philosophy: Carpe Diem and philosophy: Carpe Diem and nonconformity. nonconformity.

Man:Man: Men are all equal, supported by John Men are all equal, supported by John

Locke’s views in the following quote:Locke’s views in the following quote:““Let us then suppose the mind to be, as Let us then suppose the mind to be, as

we say, white paper void of all we say, white paper void of all characters, without any ideas. How characters, without any ideas. How comes it to be furnished? To this I comes it to be furnished? To this I answer, in one word, from experience.”answer, in one word, from experience.”

With a blank slate, it is our life’s goal to fill in With a blank slate, it is our life’s goal to fill in the blank spaces and make our “blank the blank spaces and make our “blank slate” vibrant. slate” vibrant.

God:God: Our school of philosophy believes in a Our school of philosophy believes in a

higher being, and we are all born equal. higher being, and we are all born equal. However, life is based on one’s self-However, life is based on one’s self-motivation to “stand out” and truly “live”.motivation to “stand out” and truly “live”.

“ “ Here is my creed. I believe in one God, Here is my creed. I believe in one God, Creator of the Universe. That He Creator of the Universe. That He governs it by His providence,” stated governs it by His providence,” stated by Benjamin Franklin.by Benjamin Franklin.

Similar to Deism, we believe a higher being Similar to Deism, we believe a higher being exists only to maintain the functionality of exists only to maintain the functionality of society, but does not govern how our lives society, but does not govern how our lives are controlled. are controlled.

Nature:Nature: Our human nature is predisposed to Our human nature is predisposed to conform, and our philosophy’s duty is to conform, and our philosophy’s duty is to challenge this nature. We define challenge this nature. We define conformity as the desire and state of conformity as the desire and state of agreeing to the roles we’re or encouraged agreeing to the roles we’re or encouraged to receive. (Ex. Become a doctor)to receive. (Ex. Become a doctor)

““““To envy others is ignorance” and “imitation To envy others is ignorance” and “imitation is suicide,” stated by Emerson.is suicide,” stated by Emerson.

Our nature puts us at a disadvantage, but Our nature puts us at a disadvantage, but like Emerson, we must escape conformity like Emerson, we must escape conformity and “find ourselves.” and “find ourselves.”

Free Will:Free Will: The philosophy highly encourages the concept The philosophy highly encourages the concept of free will as it focuses on the individual. of free will as it focuses on the individual.

““Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of Nothing is at last sacred but the integrity of your own mind.” your own mind.” 

Emerson, a pivotal, founding philosopher of our Emerson, a pivotal, founding philosopher of our ideas, believes that we should regard ourselves ideas, believes that we should regard ourselves as the holders of our faith.as the holders of our faith.

We DO NOT believe that our future is determined We DO NOT believe that our future is determined by a higher being, although we do acknowledge by a higher being, although we do acknowledge its existence to oversee the basic functions of its existence to oversee the basic functions of life and society. life and society.

Truth:Truth:Our philosophy is derived by the philosophy of Our philosophy is derived by the philosophy of

Søren Kierkegaard, who is a key figure in Søren Kierkegaard, who is a key figure in the idea of “subjective truth”. the idea of “subjective truth”.

  Concluding Unscientific Postscript to PhilosoConcluding Unscientific Postscript to Philosophical Fragmentsphical Fragments::

““Subjectivity is truth" and "truth is Subjectivity is truth" and "truth is subjectivity." subjectivity."

Objectivity is important, but how we act and Objectivity is important, but how we act and how we respond to those “facts” is a far how we respond to those “facts” is a far more important element to truth. Thus, more important element to truth. Thus, subjectivity is truth.subjectivity is truth.

Life:Life:Our life begins only when our mentality Our life begins only when our mentality

solidifies a devotion and commitment to solidifies a devotion and commitment to breaking the conforming norms, that breaking the conforming norms, that constrict our ability to “really live”.constrict our ability to “really live”.

““But to live doesn’t mean your alive,” states But to live doesn’t mean your alive,” states Nicki Minaj in “Moment for Life”.Nicki Minaj in “Moment for Life”.

Life may exist physically for all individuals, Life may exist physically for all individuals, but true life cannot achieved with the but true life cannot achieved with the desire to live against the society’s desire to live against the society’s constraints. constraints.

MoralityMoralityAs cited by our previous characteristics, morality is As cited by our previous characteristics, morality is

entirely based on individual responses, but has entirely based on individual responses, but has some reverence to a “higher being’s code of some reverence to a “higher being’s code of law”, supported by Kierkegaard.”law”, supported by Kierkegaard.”

““This distinction means that God does not This distinction means that God does not necessarily create human morality: it is up to necessarily create human morality: it is up to us as individuals to create our own morals us as individuals to create our own morals and values. But any religious person must be and values. But any religious person must be prepared for the event of a divine command prepared for the event of a divine command from God that would take precedence over all from God that would take precedence over all moral and rational obligations.”moral and rational obligations.”

Death:Death:““Everybody dies, but not everybody Everybody dies, but not everybody

lives.” lives.” What does this mean? What does this mean? Our school of philosophy does not Our school of philosophy does not

specifically indicate a future that follows specifically indicate a future that follows our death. Living in the present, we our death. Living in the present, we believe that death is inescapable, but true believe that death is inescapable, but true life is not granted to everybody.life is not granted to everybody.

The life we live now is the most important The life we live now is the most important aspect of our philosophy. aspect of our philosophy.

Beliefs and causes that we supportBeliefs and causes that we support

1. 1. “Strike while the iron is hot”“Strike while the iron is hot”Meaning: Act decisively and take your Meaning: Act decisively and take your opportunities when they arise.opportunities when they arise.This proverb alludes to an imagery of the This proverb alludes to an imagery of the blacksmith at his forge. If he delays in blacksmith at his forge. If he delays in shaping his iron when it is hot and pliable, shaping his iron when it is hot and pliable, the metal will soon cool and harden and the metal will soon cool and harden and the opportunity is lost. That piece of metal the opportunity is lost. That piece of metal will then become a waste.will then become a waste.

How does this apply?How does this apply?

• Once in a lifetime opportunities allows Once in a lifetime opportunities allows people to stand out and be unique.people to stand out and be unique.

• Grasping these opportunities will rather Grasping these opportunities will rather place you in a much different category in place you in a much different category in society comparing to those people who society comparing to those people who typically just conform.typically just conform.

2. 2. “The early bird catches the worm.”“The early bird catches the worm.”

Meaning: Success comes to those who Meaning: Success comes to those who prepare well and put in effort. prepare well and put in effort.

Beliefs and causes that we supportBeliefs and causes that we support

• Our philosophy is that Our philosophy is that our purpose in life our purpose in life is to stand out and be unique, since we is to stand out and be unique, since we believe that you are not “alive” when believe that you are not “alive” when you conform to the monotony of the you conform to the monotony of the word.word.

• Those who prepare well and anticipate Those who prepare well and anticipate success as they take a chance of life and success as they take a chance of life and win the game of it. win the game of it.

• They then become “alive” above all who They then become “alive” above all who are living but still are dead to society. are living but still are dead to society.

How does this apply?How does this apply?

Example: Lady GagaExample: Lady Gaga

She has a UNIQUE image that enables She has a UNIQUE image that enables her to STAND OUT amongst the other her to STAND OUT amongst the other artists. artists. It wasn’t only he strange songs that led It wasn’t only he strange songs that led her to her billion dollar fame…her to her billion dollar fame…

Example:Example:- ““I want your ugly, I want your diseaseI want your ugly, I want your disease”” - Bad Romance- Bad Romance- ““Cause I’m bluffin’ with my muffinCause I’m bluffin’ with my muffin”” - Poker Face- Poker Face

..but also because of her bizarre outfits ..but also because of her bizarre outfits and dramatic entrances that enabled her and dramatic entrances that enabled her to stand out in a flood of norm.to stand out in a flood of norm.

Example: Lady GagaExample: Lady Gaga

WHO DOESN’T LOVE MEAT?

Beliefs and causes that we supportBeliefs and causes that we support

3. 3. "You are not the momentary whim of "You are not the momentary whim of a careless creator experimenting in the a careless creator experimenting in the laboratory of life. . . You were made laboratory of life. . . You were made with a purpose.“with a purpose.“We spend too much time wondering We spend too much time wondering WHAT IF but we need to learn to say WHAT IF but we need to learn to say WHAT IS. WHAT IS. People drift their entire life going through People drift their entire life going through the same normal routine.the same normal routine.

People end up doing this one day at a People end up doing this one day at a time, one week at a time, one month at a time, one week at a time, one month at a time, and eventually; unaware of it, they time, and eventually; unaware of it, they start to slip away from life.start to slip away from life.

We disappear in life with our hands empty We disappear in life with our hands empty and our faces looking like everyone else.and our faces looking like everyone else.

We eventually become clones of society.We eventually become clones of society.

Example: Jeremy LinExample: Jeremy LinNow famous Jeremy Lin A.K.A the “Yellow Now famous Jeremy Lin A.K.A the “Yellow Mamba” and known for “Linsanity”Mamba” and known for “Linsanity”

His mother received a lot of criticism for letting His mother received a lot of criticism for letting him play basketball from her friends, but she him play basketball from her friends, but she allowed him to play what he enjoyed.allowed him to play what he enjoyed.

No one expected that he would lead his No one expected that he would lead his Alma Mater- Palo Alto HS to a 32-1 Alma Mater- Palo Alto HS to a 32-1 record. Outranking Mater Dei in attaining record. Outranking Mater Dei in attaining Div II State title.Div II State title.He was named All State and Northern He was named All State and Northern California Div II Player of the Year. California Div II Player of the Year. He totally did not defy the stereo type of He totally did not defy the stereo type of the Asian community, for he still graduated the Asian community, for he still graduated HS with 4.2 GPA and attended Harvard HS with 4.2 GPA and attended Harvard and majored in Economics.and majored in Economics.

However instead of carrying his college However instead of carrying his college degree and fame from Harvard, he instead degree and fame from Harvard, he instead continued on with his love for basketball continued on with his love for basketball and took the chance of being drafted to and took the chance of being drafted to NBA.NBA.Now defying the typical route of an Asian Now defying the typical route of an Asian descent like of a doctor, business man, descent like of a doctor, business man, etc.etc.

Fact: He did not get a basketball Fact: He did not get a basketball scholarship out of High School.scholarship out of High School.

What our philosophy does NOT What our philosophy does NOT supportsupport

CommunismCommunismBee MovieBee MovieKafka and The Metamorphosis Kafka and The Metamorphosis

CommunismCommunism

Our philosophy does not support Our philosophy does not support Communism and its ideas because it Communism and its ideas because it restricts people from being themselves restricts people from being themselves and from living an individualistic lifestyle. and from living an individualistic lifestyle. Instead, communism forces people to do Instead, communism forces people to do the same thing and act the same way the same thing and act the same way under the same conditions. There is no under the same conditions. There is no room for independence and individualism.room for independence and individualism.

Quotes against CommunismQuotes against Communism

"Communism doesn't work because people like "Communism doesn't work because people like to own stuff.“ – Frank Zappato own stuff.“ – Frank Zappa

““Communism is in conflict with human nature.” – Communism is in conflict with human nature.” – Earnest Renan Earnest Renan

"Communism is the death of the soul. It is the "Communism is the death of the soul. It is the organization of total conformity - in short, of organization of total conformity - in short, of tyranny - and it is committed to making tyranny tyranny - and it is committed to making tyranny universal." - Adlai Stevenson universal." - Adlai Stevenson

Quotes against CommunismQuotes against Communism

““I have a high state of resentment for I have a high state of resentment for the conformity in this country. If you're the conformity in this country. If you're not married and having children, it's not married and having children, it's like your life is empty or you're a like your life is empty or you're a communist meanie.” - Bill Maher communist meanie.” - Bill Maher

The Bee MovieThe Bee Movie

In the Bee Movie, Barry B. Benson In the Bee Movie, Barry B. Benson discovers that all bees have to choose one discovers that all bees have to choose one job that they will stick to for the rest of their job that they will stick to for the rest of their life. He decides to go against this because life. He decides to go against this because he feels he is going to be restricted from he feels he is going to be restricted from doing anything else and his life will not doing anything else and his life will not have any freedom in it. Thus, our have any freedom in it. Thus, our philosophy goes against this idea. philosophy goes against this idea.

Quotes from the Bee MovieQuotes from the Bee Movie

““We know that you, as a bee,have worked We know that you, as a bee,have worked your whole life to get to the point where your whole life to get to the point where youcan work for your whole life.” youcan work for your whole life.”

““But choose carefully because you'll stay But choose carefully because you'll stay in the job you pick for the rest of your life.”in the job you pick for the rest of your life.”

““One job forever? That's an insane choice One job forever? That's an insane choice to have to make.” to have to make.”

Kafka and Kafka and The MetamorphosisThe Metamorphosis

In In The Metamorphosis,The Metamorphosis, Gregor’s family Gregor’s family sees that Gregor’s transformation is a sees that Gregor’s transformation is a difference and abnormality to society, and difference and abnormality to society, and this is not accepted. The family is showing this is not accepted. The family is showing conformity to the rest of society, resulting conformity to the rest of society, resulting in the alienation of Gregor Samsa and in the alienation of Gregor Samsa and their eventual neglect of him. We do not their eventual neglect of him. We do not support this conformity, as well as some of support this conformity, as well as some of Kafka’s quotes on freedom.Kafka’s quotes on freedom.

Quotes from Quotes from The MetamorphosisThe Metamorphosis"If it were Gregor, he would have realized long "If it were Gregor, he would have realized long ago that it isn't possible for human beings to live ago that it isn't possible for human beings to live with such a creature, and he would have gone with such a creature, and he would have gone away of his own free will.” away of his own free will.”

"What the world demands of poor people they did "What the world demands of poor people they did to the utmost of their ability; his father brought to the utmost of their ability; his father brought breakfast for the minor officials at the bank, his breakfast for the minor officials at the bank, his mother sacrificed herself to the underwear of mother sacrificed herself to the underwear of strangers, his sister ran back and forth behind the strangers, his sister ran back and forth behind the counter at the request of the customers; but for counter at the request of the customers; but for anything more than this they did not have the anything more than this they did not have the strength."strength."

Quotes from Franz KafkaQuotes from Franz Kafka

““It is often safer to be in chains than to be It is often safer to be in chains than to be free.”free.”

““You are free and that is why you are lost.”You are free and that is why you are lost.”