The Meaning of Life (J.A. Parkey #10)

What is the meaning of life? Does life even have any meaning? This is an age old question that has crossed everyones mind at some point or another. Thinking that there is higher purpose in life, or even a purpose at all, is a common consensus among people. Even if you may not think that life has meaning yourself, you have at least heard of the idea.

Many historical figures in philosophy have provided answers to the question of what makes life worth living and meaningful, although they typically have not put it in these terms. Some examples of these philosophers are Aristotle on the human function and Kant on the highest good. While both of these concepts have some idea on happiness and morality, they can be directly interpreted as different ways of how a person could have a life that provides meaning and seems to actually matter. Despite these admired nobles, it is only in the last half century or so that a distinct field on the meaning of life has been properly established in American philosophy, and it is only in the last 30 years has debate with real depth appeared. This would be that the meaning i life can be divided into two reasons: religion and modern science. Religion granted us a true meaning of life because it was made clear and given to us by a god or gods.  It was about worshiping a higher entity and living according to what the entity dictates is wrong and right. But as religious belief has seemed to declined, the god has supposedly died and the meaning he once guaranteed along with him. The second cause of the current crisis of meaning being modern science. Scientists tell us that existence emerged from a random interplay of chemicals and gases, and the meaning that comes along with that is rather bleak and not very forthcoming. According to scientists, for humans the meaning of life is survival and the spread of one’s genetic material; like most other living things. It sounds very true and at the same time, distinctly boring and futile.

da menin o li

But in the end, the meaning of life is what you make of it. It is your choice on whether or not your life has a higher meaning, or is completely pointless. I just hope that everyone strives to be the best that they can be in whatever it is that makes you happy. 

“What is the meaning of human life, or, for that matter, of the life of any creature? To know an answer to this question means to be religious. You ask: Does it make any sense, then, to pose this question? I answer: The man who regards his own life and that of his fellow creatures as meaningless is not merely unhappy but hardly fit for life.”  

- Albert Einstein

This is just something I found that I thought was funny:

"You are at university studying for a degree. You signed up for the course in part because you often feel confused about who you are and what you want. You thought that reading books and going to lectures would shine a light on things, but the topics are dull and disconnected from your confusion. You complain it feels meaningless."

- Anonymous 

Here are some interesting videos about the meaning of life:

Aristotle on the Purpose of Life

Everybody Dies, But Not Everybody Lives