What is the meaning of life? Well, that's pretty near impossible to describe.
Seeing as how there are multiple answers and no clear right or wrong, any attempt at definition is futile. Cottingham himself couldn't give an answer, and if a philosopher can't answer the hardest philosophy question of all time, who can?
Well, it's not that the answers are elusive, just that we each have our own ones. For example, I believe the meaning of life to be intellectual development, positive interpersonal relationships including at least little charities, and the obvious one, procreation. But of course, probably no one else on the planet thinks the exact same as I do.
All of these, I think, are important because they give us a solution, a recipe of sorts, on how to live our lives, because as we all know, failure sucks. So if we could all just be perfect, we'd never have to feel that shame.
I discuss the meaning of life at least briefly in the third book of my series, "The Cure for Sin," which I have currently not finished yet. How coincidental. (I know, I know, I'm showing off again. I'll try to keep it short.) In it, Tiffany is trying to console her friend Morgan when he becomes hopelessly depressed after his wife's death.
"Don't worry about it, dude. You couldn't have seen it coming. [...]" She pat him on the shoulder, swerving out of her lane for a brief second. "But if you're asking me about the meaning of life, well..." She sighed and fixed her glasses, slumping over the wheel. [...] "You just gotta live a good life, y'know? I mean, yeah, procreation is up there on the list, but so is, like, random acts of kindness. That's why I became a police officer. Y'know, to protect and serve." Her voice gained a tinge of sorrow. [...] "And, I mean, at least you have a daughter, man, so that's added incentive. Go home, y'know? Be a dad. We're not gods. We're only human. So just do the best you can."
On that note, I'll conclude for today.
I'm interested in seeing what other people's philosophies of life are, so if you want to, post it in your comment.
I'm in Section 13 Group 1 but my author hasn't posted yet so I figured this would be the bast place to comment since we're talking about the same topic.
ReplyDeleteJohn Cottingham on The Meaning of Life
I took a liking to Cottingham in this reading. I particularly liked his Stoic attitude towards life; in being able to keep a cool head when dabbling in the bigger meanings of things. He takes into account that we as humans have essentially been throw into the world in this place and time, with no prior knowledge of who we are and what we should do, but instead of panicing - an exercise in futility - embraces the fact and chooses where to go from there. Also his Triangle of Harmony idea with philosophy, psychoanalysis, and religion was very interesting. He says "All three modes of discourse, properly understood, are engaged in this deeper, traditional question of self-understanding: the project of linking out theoretical beliefs with understanding who we are and how we should live, if we are to live meaningful lives."
Factual Question: When dealing with the contingencies that face us in life, Cottingham would say it is ___________ that shows us good is still worth perusing. (Hope)
Discussion Question: Is it feasible for Philosophy, Psychoanalysis, and Religion to operate together on harmony?
Im in Sec. 13 group 1 as well and am following my classmates initiative to post our comments/questions here.
ReplyDeleteCottingham's interview was intriguing indeed. I like how he distinguishes the difference between optimism and hope. I don't agree on his view that hope cannot come from within that that's not enough. We must look to outwardly things to inspire hope and hold on to it as well.
F?-Does Cottingham make a distinction between hope and optimism?T
D?-What is your meaning to life? ANd how do you think we as humans experience or realize the answer to the question?
I read (SP) Ch 1 through "Ethics" on pg 9.
ReplyDeleteFQ: According to Lachs, "Many a thinker has made a name for himself and earned a comfortable living by announcing the _____ of his field of endeavor."
DQ: Which do you find more true, liking what you get or getting what you like?
I tend to agree with the seemingly logical view of "the meaning of life" to not just be subjective, but besides your philosophy also depends upon what your level of capacity for thought itself really is... But again that could just be me.
ReplyDeleteLachs:1-6
FQ: According to Lachs, stoicism and pragmatism _________ and ________ one another. (Enrich, Complete)
DQ:Is there a resemblance of the interconnectedness of the completely opposite philosophies, Stoicism and Pragmatism, to that of eastern philosophy's common view of yin and yang energy? Or belief that to everything there is an opposite and that without the other each singular thing would not work or function as it should?
The meaning of life for me lies in the continued advancement of our emergent species. I believe we were meant to simply make things better for the successive generation. Of course our pace in this has varied.
ReplyDeleteLachs pg. 1-6
FQ: Which of the well known philosophers turned the ideas of Plato on their head?
DQ: To you in what does science hold significance? Is it what guides your knowledge of the world or maybe do you take a different approach?
This is a great question to think about but the answer to this question would be so long and complicated it would take a huge amount of paper to print it all on. Even if there is one meaning to life that meaning is only appicable to that moment as life is a changing morphing entity. Plus it would only apply to one person.
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