An Existentialist Meaning of Life
Arguably one of the most pondered questions in philosophical thought has been, “What is the meaning of life?” Humans have been put on this earth with the knowledge of self awareness and the ability to manipulate the environments that they inhabit to a greater extent than any other species on the planet. Ultimately one must wonder what purpose there is to one’s own existence and define what it means for them to be. Presupposing the existence of different human beings in the external world, there would undoubtedly be varying opinions regarding the ultimate purpose of existence. Several key thinkers in modern existentialism provide the necessary framework for establishing a so-called “meaning of life”. Marcel, Sartre, Heidegger and Camus, refer to the theoretical frameworks of subjectivity, freedom, responsibility and purpose, in modern existentialism. With reference to the theoretical frameworks, established by these reputable thinkers, one could propose an answer to the age old question, “What is the meaning of life?”. That being, the meaning of life is “to live a good a good life”.
The existence of the external world and other human beings:
Perhaps Descartes made the most powerful argument in the form of the Cogito, when he stated, “I think therefore I am.” Historically, the certainty of the external world has been called into question, at various times, in philosophical thought. The whole Platonic tradition is one such example. Camus carries this notion a step further by saying, “This heart within me I can feel, and judge that it exist. This world I can touch, and likewise I judge that it exists. There ends all my knowledge, and the rest is construction.” (Camus, pg. 19) ...
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...uidelines have been established, one can establish purpose and realize fulfillment for living a good life. Keeping the previously mentioned factors in mind, humans have a purpose to make the world a better place, through their own actions, so that one day we may realize the divine ideal.
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References:
Primary Sources:
Camus, Albert (1991) The Myth of Sisyphus and other essays New York: Vintage International
Heidegger, Martin (1977) The Question Concerning Technology and Other Essays Toronto: Harper and Row Publishers.
Marcel, Gabriel (1962) Man Against Mass Society Chicago: Regnery Gateway inc.
Plato Republic Book VI: 505 e
Sartre, Jean-Paul (1997) Existentialism and Humanism London: Random house UK ltd.
Secondary Sources:
Madison (1998) Philosophy 4EE3: Term 1 Class Lecture Notes McMaster University
Through Descartes’s Meditations, he sought to reconstruct his life and the beliefs he had. He wanted to end up with beliefs that were completely justified and conclusively proven. In order to obtain his goal, Descartes had to doubt all of his foundational beliefs so that he could start over. This left Descartes doubting the reality of the world around him and even his own existence. In order to build up to new conclusively proven and justified true beliefs, Descartes needed a fixed and undeniable starting point. This starting point was his cogito, “I think, therefore I am.” In this paper I will argue that Descartes’s argument that he is definite of his own existence, is unsound.
In concluding, a few things must be noted. One, Descartes’ omnipotent deceiver does not and cannot exist in the manner Descartes relates. Two, even if the deceiver did exist, the Cogito would not be immune from the pall of doubt the deceiver’s existence would cause to fall on reality. Three, even without the deceiver, the Cogito is falsifiable because of the “Someone Else’s Dream” argument. Four, there is a world where small and universal elements we know of exist.
What is the meaning of life? The answer to this universal question varies and is heavily debated. For some, merely living and breathing in the world defines the meaning of life. On the other hand, life can contain no meaning at all in that it exists, but our role in the world has little to no meaning. In the traditional human perspective, our central focus and goal is to strive for happiness and to fulfill our function well. [Lecture] In the novel Under the Net, Murdoch emphasizes the theme of existence in truth and language in relation to others and one’s self.
Existential philosophy is subject to a single, seemingly debilitating criticism: it comprises a frame of mind rather than a theory. As Mary Warnock argues in her book Existentialist Ethics, "It seems that to be attracted by Existentialism is to be attracted by a mood. When it comes to serious thought, one may find . . . that it is necessary to cast off the mood and start again" (57). The focus of the existentialist is on the individual, existing being. By nature, the subject of existentialism appears incommunicable. It demands that each individual come to an understanding of the inwardness of self independently. This inwardness is not a state which can be achieved, but a process of constantly coming to be. The argument against the existence of an existential ideology seems valid. Without generalization, how can existentialist philosophy construct a theory that offers ethical direction?
It might be thought that the first task in considering the question of the `Meaning of Life' is to define the key terms: `Life' and `Meaning'. However, the meanings of `Meaning' are many; and `Life' itself could be seen as not so much a separate entity, but rather, the totality of those meanings to which I have alluded. Anyway, I shall take `Life' in this context to mean HUMAN life, and the meaning of this life as, specifically, the condition of our existence so far as we bring this into question.
Susan Wolf tries to show the exact character of the motives and reasons that give meaning to our lives, she claims that meaningfulness is an attribute that cannot be lessened or included under either happiness or morality. According to modern philosophical accounts of meaning of life, personal happiness is the motivation on why people do or should act. Wolf rebukes these theories. Instead she provides sort of a wider understanding of what adds to the aspect of our lives. When meaning is seen as a third sort of value, our understanding of happiness and morality also changes.
“The whole point of knowledge is to produce both meaning and purpose in our personal lives. To what extend do you agree with this statement?” To effectively answer that question, we must first differentiate between meaning and purpose in life and define knowledge. Firstly, knowledge is justified true belief (Organization, 2013). The meaning of life can be defined as the reason for the creation of one’s life, whereas the purpose of life can be defined as an individual’s mission during their life. One’s purpose and meaning in life may be mainly based on personal knowledge, the gained knowledge through experience and personal involvement (Organization, 2013). By examining the human sciences and religious knowledge systems, knowledge might
Tom Morris’s chapter titled “What is the Meaning of Life?” discusses several different viewpoints on this question. He discusses particularly three perspectives Nihilism, do-it-yourself-approach, and the theistic belief in search for the best answer. The basic idea behind Nihilism that Morris’s discusses is expressed in the words of Sigmund Freud, “ The moment a man questions the meaning and value of life, he is sick, since objectively neither has existence.” that life has no meaning. According to Morris he states that this is bad philosophy and is represented by poets, rock musicians, and filmmakers that represent this point of view. Morris suggests that it is not nonsense to suppose that life has meaning but for those who practice nihilism
Existentialism is a phiosophy which revolves around the central belief that we create ourselves. External factors are not important. It is the way that we let external factors affect us that determines who we are. As individuals we all have the freedom to choose our own path and that is what life is all about. Along with the freedom of choice comes the responsibilty of one's actions which can make some people anxious but give others meaning to their lives. To overcome this anxiousness and accept responsibilty is to meet the challenges of life and to truly live it. I can adopt the existentialist approach which states that to live life is to experience happiness and absurdness and to appreciate both as a part of life.
Existentialism can be defined as a philosophy that a person is responsible for their choices and the purpose of their existence changes with the decisio...
Purpose, the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists. Each person at one time or another has asked themselves why do I exist. Intrinsically instilled in us exist an inner yearning to be used in a higher purpose. We all desire to live as productive citizens in the Kingdom of God by having a purpose in the world which we live. Even the O.T. character Adam yearned for more than just being alive. After God created Adam, he gifts Adam with an ability to name all His creation in Genesis 2:19-20. God discerned that Adam desired to have purpose. God understood that man needed a purpose greater than just living. People must have a vision or else they will perish. To receive your vision in Christ instills the greatest
I truly believe that every single person in the world has a purpose in life. God created each and every one of us for a reason. Whether we know it or not our life is planned and we follow a path throughout our life. In this path, we have the option to make good decisions or bad decisions. In order to achieve salvation and enter a virtuous after life we had to do deeds that had a positive impact on other people. In order to do this though, one must have the self-discipline and devotion to God. There are many obstacles that can get in the way of achieving this goal and the main one is our desires. Desire is a strong feeling of something we want or wish to have. Our desire negatively impacts our life because it detaches our body both physically and emotionally from our mind which then influences us to make morally wrong decisions.
Explain the six propositions of this theory and give your opinion of each proposition and for the theory in general.
I have always been to asking myself what is meaning of life? or what I supposed to do ? or what I have to achieve? . Meaning of life what 's you have been given? what you have given by different kind of human? Or what I believe or what I do not believe in life .Everybody have Meaning of life it depends between person to person, I found myself when I was young because my parents always talk about experience in their life.Throughout my entire life ,I have wondered about the significance meaning of life that has beneficial for the people, because the life is beginning odds and ending odds .Even though struggle of life, I believe meaning of life are ,regional ,ambition, participate ,achievement ,and happiness .Due to this, I
Heidegger, M. (2009). The question concerning technology. In C. Hanks, Technology and its Value (pp. 99-113). Malden: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.