political ideology

what is existentialism?

the belief that one can construct their own meanings and morals in a world that has none of its own

what shapes these views?

an individual's own personal experiences

existentialism revolves around the idea that we as individuals have …

no destiny and that our lives are instead determined by choice meaning we therefore have a responsibility to make the ‘right’ choices in life

what scene in joker could be argued as existentialist?

the subway scene as shows arthur creating his own moral code, one which is in opposition to traditional societal norms

what is nihilism?

the belief that life is meaningless and that there is no point trying to create our own as a substitute

what scene in joker demonstrates nihilist ideology?

murray franklin as arthur is killing his idol, showing how he has become disillusioned with life and feels it lacks meaning 

what is absurdism?

the belief that a search for meaning is inherently in conflict with the worlds lack of meaning 

absurdism is similar to nihilism but differs…

in how it responds to the meaninglessness of life

how do absurdists respond to the meaninglessness of life?

they think that people should accept the fact that the world lacks meaning but should also simultaneously rebel against this by embracing what life has to offer

what scene could be viewed as absurdist in joker?

the subway scene since his dance at the end could symbolise his realisation of free will

what is anarchism?

the belief that governments and hierarchies are harmful and unnecessary 

anarchists argue that…

a lack of man made laws won’t lead to chaos but will instead create real justice and the development of a natural human state

what branch of anarchism does arthur best align with?

individual anarchist

what is an individual anarchist?

someone who fights against the system for individual freedom and autonomy

how does the opening scene of joker demonstrate anarchist ideology?

it highlights class inequality as the lower classes turn on each other

what branch of anarchism is this?

anarcho-communism - the removal of private property and class

how does the subway scene demonstrate anarchist idelogy?

killing the businessmen could be a wider socio-political message of dismantling unfair hierarchies or arthurs quest for his own personal freedom by rejecting societal morals

how does killing murray franklin align with anarchist idelogy?

arthur killed murray as a way of fighting for his own individual freedom by defying social control that reinforces unjust hierarchies