Analysis of “Oasis of Happiness” by Eugen Fink

First Paper: Analysis of “Oasis of Happiness” – Due Saturday May 28th
before 5pm on Canvas (no late papers will be graded). You
can submit your paper early if you foresee a potential conflict.

Grading Rubric: 75 points possible (7.5% of your final grade in the class)
1. Papers should be typed, double spaced and well edited:
a. Re-read and edit your papers before turning them in. There should be
hardly any grammar or spelling mistakes. I recommend reading your
paper out loud before your submit it and having someone else read it too.
i. 1 mistakes = 0 points off
ii. 2-3 = 5 points off
iii. 4-5 = 10 points off
iv. More than 5 = 15 points off

2. NO outside sources. Use the reading and your own thoughts.
Plagiarism or using outside sources will result in a zero grade
for the assignment.

a. It is important to me that your paper be a demonstration of your own
unique thinking. I am interested in seeing how
you work out the ethical implications of play in your own life.
b. I realize this paper may seem overwhelming. However, I am most interested in a heartfelt attempt NOT perfection.

3. Have a creative title for your paper 2 points
4. Overall, the purpose of your paper is to present an interpretation of
Eugen Fink’s essay “Oasis of Happiness.”

a. For example, consider Fink’s point that “The more one attempts to
reflect on play, the more enigmatic and question
worthy it seems to be become” (p. 26). Following his essay you should
get some ideas as to why this is.
b. Have four clearly labeled parts to your paper:

i. Introduction (10 points ~ one page):
1. Develop a thesis. Your thesis should have roughly to parts:
1. It should answer the question: What does Fink think is the essence of
play?
2. It should also answer the question: How does the essence of play
relate to ethical questions?
a. “What is the good life?”
b. “How should I live?”

ii. Summary (10 points ~ 1-2 pages):
1. Summarize the essay. Here you should demonstrate with direct quotes and commentary what you
think is significant and important about the essay. Here you should also start to support your thesis.

iii. Body (this should be the bulk of your paper):
1. Do the main work of supporting your interpretative thesis.
a. To guide your work you should at least cover the following issues (do not limit your
paper to just these points, I list these mostly to get you going. I want to see where the
essay takes you in your own personal interpretation):
i. Fink explains that play is interpersonal or intersubjective, what does this mean
and how does it relate to ethics? 5 points
ii. Discuss “the elementary structure of tension” (pp. 18, 19, 21, 24)
10 points
iii. Define “ontology”
1. What is the relation of ontology to ethics? 5 points
iv. What is the relation of Eudaimonia to play and how does it relate
to “oasis”? 5 points
v. Here are some suggestions of other words and names you should look up to
understand the essay: Danaidean, Tantalus, polysemy, pedagogical, Heraclitus,
Nietzsche, Schiller, Hegel
vi. Boredom (p. 17) is typically seen as a bad thing. But without boredom would we ever play, why or why not? 5 points
vii. What does freedom have to do with play and ethics (e.g., p. 19, 23)?
5pt
viii. Present some examination of the difference between adult play and the play of children (e.g., p. 18). 5 points

iv. Conclusion (10 points ~ one page):
1. Here you should summarize your paper (rephrase the argument you are using to support your
thesis) do not repeat but synthesize.
2. At this point in your paper you should (if you haven’t already) assess
the value of the Fink’s essay for your own life. For example:
a. What did you find useful for living a good life?
b. If there was anything you thought might damage living a good life you should include that here too if you have not done so earlier in your paper.

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