Alexander grapples with a number of different emotions during his day and handles some of them on the inside and some of them very outwardly. Traditionalists believe that inner states are important for emotions, while behaviorists believe that emotions are only comprised of our outer behavior. Understanding the nature of emotions is a philosophical issue that is still under much debate. It is notoriously difficult to comprehend, and even harder to articulate. The concept of emotion is a particularly evasive one. The book addresses issues such as moods and emotions, envy, fight or flight responses, the concept of art, and making mistakes.

The difficult situations in which Alexander finds himself and his way of dealing with them are what makes this book ripe for philosophical discussion. He wakes up with gum in his hair, doesn’t get a seat by the window during carpool, doesn’t get dessert in his lunch, is rebuffed by his friends on the playground, has to get a cavity fixed at the dentist, and has to eat lima beans for dinner. Judith Viorst’s book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, follows Alexander through a rather trying day. Read aloud video Guidelines for Philosophical Discussion All kids experience this type of day and will be glad to find they are not alone! At the end of his rough day, Alexander learns some days are just like that. Questions for Philosophical Discussion » Summary How might we ethically deal with difficult situations and even more difficult emotions?įrom the moment Alexander wakes up, everything goes wrong! He wakes up with gum in his hair, fights with his friends, and has to eat lima beans for dinner.

Alexander worst horrible day