The first step of Project 5 involved refining my original question to make it more precise. Initially, my question was simply, ‘How can people experience their being?’ However, I realised that adding the word ‘actively’ would provide clarity and specificity to the inquiry, allowing for a more detailed exploration of the experience. Moving forward, I contemplated which individuals would be most inclined to actively engage with their being, considering factors such as uncertainty or instability in their understanding of human existence. This led me to the formulation of the second version of my question: ‘How can individuals experiencing existential anxiety regarding their being actively engage their being for self-identification?’ This revised question not only acknowledges the complexity of the human experience but also highlights the importance of self-identification and engagement in the face of existential challenges.
Following a tutorial session with Zuleika, I find myself in the midst of refining my research question. While I maintain my focus on individuals experiencing crises regarding their own or others’ being, I recognise the need to shift the emphasis towards actively experiencing rather than simply identifying who can engage with being actively. This adjustment aims to hone in on the essence of the inquiry, emphasising the process of actively engaging with being rather than solely identifying the target demographic.
The biggest challenge of the proposal was the ‘what if’ part. Rather than aiming to change the entire world with my research, I hope to impact the lives on individuals, even if they may be few in number. While not everyone questions their own or others’ being, I wish to contribute to making the world of those who share similar uncertainties, including myself, a little more resilient and empowered.
As someone who tends to be quite self-centred, my curiosity often resolves around personal interests rather than a desire to change the whole world. Nevertheless, I have a strong conviction that there are others who share similar feelings of confusion or crises with me. I hope that this research will resonate with them and provide some clarity or comfort.