|
| |
The meaning of life is the ultimate purpose of human life or the universe itself. This can also be viewed as an ethic or way as opposed to a purpose or goal. The sense that life has meaning is important to human happiness and thriving such that is viewed as an important question that is arguably the most important question.
Divine PurposeThe belief that life is part of a divine or higher plan created by a supreme being such as God or some other universal force. This is the basis for a large number of religions. Historically, this view was almost completely dominant within Western civilization. TranscendenceThe idea that life is suffering such that the goal of life is transcendence, or enlightenment, that allows you to reach a higher state of being that is free of suffering. This is also associated with reincarnation and the view that life is endless.
Redemption through SufferingThe idea that suffering is not meaningless such that pain or hardship can play a vital role in achieving transformation, spiritual enlightenment or salvation. This is a sophisticated idea that challenges the common notion that suffering is to be avoided. This is sometimes viewed as a test from God whereby apparent problems are really there to guide and transform.VirtueA common theme of religions and classical philosophy is that it is important to live a virtuous life. This can be viewed as a meaning of life where meaning is more of a process or way of life as opposed to some end goal. This has strong traditions such as Stoicism in the West and Confucianism in the East. The central virtue of Confucianism, known as Ren, is commonly translated compassion for others.NihilismGod is dead. God remains dead. And we have killed him. How shall we comfort ourselves, the murderers of all murderers? ― Friedrich Nietzsche Nihilism is the view that life is completely meaningless such that anything you do is also meaningless. This is quite a dark view as it suggests, for example, that there is no difference between right and wrong. The quote above by Friedrich Nietzsche expresses Nietzsche's fear that nihilism will take hold due to a decline in religious belief in the modern-era.Absurd HeroismThe idea that life is absurd but that you can face this like a hero and find meaning anyway. This has a pragmatic feel to it whereby you accept imperfections, contradictions and uncertainties to find value in life. Under absurd heroism, you strive to be admirable but there are no clear rules of virtue to follow, you just have to kinda figure it out.Maximize HappinessWe have invented happiness—say the last men, and they blink.― Friedrich Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra The view that life is the maximization of personal joy and the minimization of personal pain. This essentially advocates for pure self-indulgence. Nietzsche termed this view the last man because he equated it as a return to an animal-like state of being that regresses from the profound philosophical achievements of humankind.Human EvolutionThe scientific view that the meaning of life is to adapt and to ensure the survival of the human species. This would view life as a process of passing on your genes and ensuring advantages for your children.TranshumanismThe belief that the meaning of life is to evolve and adapt but that this will require integrating with machines that are destined to surpass human capabilities.HumanismHumanism is a philosophy that views human agency as a powerful thing whereby people are able to find their own purpose and meaning in life. This could be an individualistic thing whereby each person sets their own meaning or it could be a collective thing where people pursue meaning as defined by culture.MaterialismMaterialism is the belief that life is nothing more than physical. This is compatible with several of the meanings above but is heavily associated with consumerism and the maximization of personal happiness with material things.IdealismIdealism is the view that reality is generated by the mind. In many cases, this also includes the sense that the meaning of life is also flexible and responsive. Cosmic PerspectiveLooking at the meaning of human life from the perspective of the entire universe. Humans are the only known entity that appears able to reflect on the meaning of the universe and this perhaps is our purpose. In other words, thinking about the meaning of life could be the meaning of life.Pursuit of KnowledgePursuit of curiosity and discovery of knowledge is a common meaning that people find in life.ExistentialismThe view that humans are responsible for creating meaning in an indifferent universe. This views meaning as a primary human responsibility whereby freedom and knowledge creates the duty to find purpose.Love & AltruismIf you believe that humans are responsible for defining their own meaning in an indifferent world -- this is quite open-ended and isn't much of an answer. A common meaning that originates with human thought is that unconditional love, compassion and doing good for others is a worthy purpose for a meaningful life.Existence, Relatedness & GrowthHumans are commonly motivated by three factors known as existence, relatedness and growth. This means we want to survive, to be interconnected with other people and to thrive. If you accept human nature as good and go with the humble assumption that we should just pursue this nature as best we can, this can be a meaning -- try to survive, be a part of things and improve.Cultured LivingAnother human defined meaning of life revolves around culture and the virtues of living up to the ideals of a culture. For example, mastering a traditional practice to a high state of refinement.ExperienceOne must still have chaos in oneself to be able to give birth to a dancing star.― Friedrich Nietzsche The pursuit of deeply meaningful or epic experiences. This is associated with the idea that you live in the moment without concern for past or future. This is quite different from the maximization of joy and minimization of pain as pursuing epic experiences may involve much effort, risk, sacrifice and pain.Depth of UnderstandingThe idea that life isn't about collecting experiences as you would collect material things but rather about cultivating a deep appreciation of emotional, natural and mysterious elements of life that surround experience. For example, becoming a person who can feel deeply emotional in everyday situations such as listening to music, experiencing nature, reading a good book or having a conversation with someone about their life.Way of LifeThe Dude abides. I take comfort in that. It's good knowing he's out there, the Dude, takin' 'er easy for all us sinners.~ The Big Lebowski Taoism defines the meaning of life in terms of harmony with your true nature and the nature of life itself. In other words, life has a way and your role is to simply abide.Next read: Life Purpose
If you enjoyed this page, please consider bookmarking Simplicable.
© 2010-2024 Simplicable. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction of materials found on this site, in any form, without explicit permission is prohibited.
View credits & copyrights or citation information for this page.
|
