![]() Current consideration of the good demands a recognition of the survival crises which confront mankind. When the question is in the singular we search for that which ties all values together in one unity, traditionally called ‘the good’. Life is meaningful to humans, therefore it has meaning. It would be wrong, however, to conclude that life is meaningless. Our efforts may ultimately come to nothing but “the day was sufficient to itself, and so was the life.” ( Good and Evil, 1970) In the “why are we here?” sense of the question there is no answer. Gloster’s statement in King Lear comes to mind: “As flies to wanton boys we are to the gods – they kill us for their sport.” But why does there have to be a purpose to life separate from those purposes generated within it? The idea that life needs no external justification has been described movingly by Richard Taylor. It is a matter of debate whether this would make life a thing of greater value or turn us into the equivalent of rats in a laboratory experiment. To suggest that there is demonstrates not so much arrogance as a lack of imagination.Īnother way of rephrasing the question is “What is the purpose of life?” Again we all have our own subjective purposes but some would like to think there is a higher purpose provided for us, perhaps by a creator. However, I am not convinced that there is one right way to live. It seems reasonable to say that some ways of living are not conducive to human flourishing. Some have attempted to answer this question in a more objective way: that is to have an idea of what constitutes the good life. Think of all the reasons why you are glad you are alive (assuming you are), and there is the meaning of your life. There are any number of subjective answers to this question. One common rephrasing is “What is it that makes life worth living?”. ![]() What then is the meaning of your journey? Is it satisfying or worthwhile only if you have satisfied an external purpose – only if it gets you somewhere else? Why, indeed, cannot the satisfactions and pleasures of the landscape, and of your deeds, be enough?Ī problem with this question is that it is not clear what sort of answer is being looked for. You may stop to help someone who is sick: in fact, you may stay many years, and found a hospital. ![]() You may stop along the way, study, learn, converse, with little thought about why you are doing these things other than the pleasure they give you. It may be a forest, or it may contain farms, villages. On the other hand, you may be intensely interested in what the landscape holds. In this case the meaning of your journey through the landscape is external to the experience of the landscape itself. Your purpose in walking may be just to get somewhere else – you may think there’s a better place off in the distance. It’s just that the reward for these activities has to be found here, in the satisfactions that they afford within this life, instead of in some external spirit realm.Īn interesting way to contrast the internal and external views is to imagine walking through a beautiful landscape. But within the internal view of meaning, we can argue that meaning is best found in activities that benefit others, the community, or the Earth as a whole. The meaning of our life, its purpose and justification, is to fulfill the expectations of God, and then to receive our final reward. Our life on earth is evaluated by a supernatural being some call God, who will assign to us some reward or punishment after death. ![]() The external interpretation commonly makes the claim that there is a realm to which life leads after death. This does not necessarily imply a selfish code of conduct. Why are we here? Do we serve a greater purpose beyond the pleasure or satisfaction we get from our daily activities – however mundane or heroic they may be? Is the meaning of life internal to life, to be found inherently in life’s many activities, or is it external, to be found in a realm somehow outside of life, but to which life leads? In the internal view it’s the satisfaction and happiness we gain from our actions that justify life. Sorry if your answer doesn’t appear: we received enough to fill twelve pages… SUBSCRIBE NOW Question of the Month What Is The Meaning Of Life? The following answers to this central philosophical question each win a random book.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |