Meaning of life

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This article is about the concept of the meaning of life. For the Monty Python film, see Monty Python's The Meaning of Life.
For the meaning of the word "life", see [[:Life (more specifically the section Life#Definitions) and Life (disambiguation)|Life (more specifically the section Life § Definitions) and Life (disambiguation)]].

When the question "What is the meaning of life?" is asked, one of a variety of questions may be implied, such as: "Why are we here?" (or, "What is the origin of life?"[1]), "What is the nature of life (and of the universe in which we live)?",[1][2] "What is the significance of life?",[2] "What is the purpose of, or in, (one's) life?",[3] and "What is valuable in life?"[4] Some answers have been given, deriving from scientific theories, or philosophical, theological, and spiritual explanations.[5]

Look up meaning of life in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.

Scientific approaches to the meaning of life

The empirical method of science has shed light on questions related to the meaning of life. Five such questions are discussed below.

What is the origin of life?

The question "What is the origin of life?" is addressed in the sciences in the areas of abiogenesis (for the origins of biological life) and cosmogeny (for the origins of the universe). Both of these areas are quite hypothetical, cosmogeny because no existing physical model can accurately describe the very early universe (the instant of the Big Bang),[6] and abiogenesis because the environment of the young earth is not known, and because the conditions and chemical processes that may have taken billions of years to produce life cannot (as of yet) be reproduced in a laboratory.[citation needed] Nevertheless, biologists think an early protein replicator was formed by the gradual build up of amino acids in the oceans, and then proceeded to dominate the primeval soup, occasionally mutating into a more (or less) successful form.[citation needed] Eventually a primitive cell was formed, and life continued to evolve by the mechanisms of mutation and natural selection.[7] Based on these or similar theories, some philosophers[who?] say that because life was entirely coincidental, one cannot expect life to have any meaning at all, other than its own self-perpetuation — reproduction.

What is the nature of life?

The meaning of life is to take a fat poop. Then eat it.

What is valuable in life?

Science may not be able to tell us what is most valuable in life in a philosophical sense, but some studies bear on related questions: Researchers in "positive psychology" study factors that lead to life satisfaction (and before them less rigorously in Humanistic Psychology), in Social psychology factors that lead to infants thriving or failing to thrive, and in other areas of psychology questions of motivation, preference, and what people value; Economists have learned a great deal about what is valued in the marketplace; and sociology examines value at a social level using theoretical constructs such as value theory, norms, anomie, etc.

What is the purpose of, or in, (one's) life?"

Natural scientists look for the purpose of life within the structure and function of life itself.[8]

The real purpose of life is to be self-actualized and die knowing that you did everything you set out to do. Life is what you want it to be. To be self-actualized is something most don't achieve, dieing in this condition is a state most wish they could, take every opportunity you can to seize the day and live life to the fullest in your eyes.

Analysis of teleology based on science

The "debunking" of teleology is said to have coincided with or resulted from advances in biological knowledge such as the publication of Charles Darwin's On the Origin of Species (i.e. Natural selection).[citation needed]

It is not unlikely however, that it was thought long before that teleology (perceived meaning or purpose) is an illusion that has no bearing on reality and that ultimately there is no objective purpose to anything. Best-selling author and evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins puts forward his explanation in his Discovery Science video 'The Big Question: Why are we here?'.

Philosophy of the meaning of life

While scientific approaches to the meaning of life aim to describe empirical facts about human existence, philosophers are usually more concerned about the relationship between ideas. For example, philosophers have considered such questions as: "Is the question 'What is the meaning of life?' a meaningful question?";[9] "What does the question 'What is the meaning of life?' mean?";[10] and "If there are no objective values, then is life meaningless?"[11] Some philosophical disciplines have also aimed to develop an understanding of life that explains, regardless of how we came to be here, what we should do now that we are here (such as humanism, which presents a code of conduct - see the ethics of humanism explained below).

Value as meaning

Theories of value bear on the question of the meaning of life. Philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Spinoza, and many others had views about what sort of life was best (and hence most meaningful).[citation needed] Aristotle, for example, believed that the pursuit of happiness was the Highest Good and that such is achievable through our uniquely human capacity to reason.[citation needed]

Existentialist views of the meaning of life

Main article: Existentialism

Arthur Schopenhauer offered a bleak answer to "what is the meaning of life?" by determining one's life as a reflection of one's will and the will (and thus life) as being an aimless, irrational, and painful drive. He saw salvation, deliverance, or escape from suffering in aesthetic contemplation, sympathy for others, and asceticism.[citation needed] Søren Kierkegaard invented the term "leap of faith" and argued that life is full of absurdity and the individual must make his or her own values in an indifferent world. For Kierkegaard, an individual can have a meaningful life (or at least one free of despair) if the individual relates the self in an unconditional commitment to something finite, and devotes his or her life to the commitment despite the inherent vulnerability of doing so.[citation needed]

Humanist views of the meaning of life

Main article: Humanism

According to humanism the human race came to be by reproducing in a progression of unguided evolution as an integral part of nature, which is self-existing.[12] Knowledge does not come from supernatural sources, rather it flows from human observation, experimentation, and rational analysis preferably utilizing the scientific method: the nature of the universe is what we discern it to be.[12] As are "values and realities", which are determined "by means of intelligent inquiry"[12] and "are derived from human need and interest as tested by experience", that is, by critical intelligence.[13][14] "As far as we know, the total personality is [a function] of the biological organism transacting in a social and cultural context."[15]

The purpose of human life

Human purpose is determined by humans, completely without supernatural influence; it is human personality (in the broadest sense) that is the purpose of a human's life, and this humanism seeks to develop and fulfill:[12] "Humanism affirms our ability and responsibility to lead ethical lives of personal fulfillment that aspire to the greater good of humanity."[13]

Enlightened self-interest and the common good
See also: enlightened self-interest and common good

The most significant thing in life (the very focus of humanism) is the human being, and by extension, the human race and the environment in which we live. The happiness of the individual is inextricably linked to the well-being of humanity as a whole, in part because we are social animals which find meaning in relationships, and because cultural progress benefits everybody who lives in that culture. [13]

When the world improves, life in general improves, so, while the individual desires to live well and fully, humanists feel it is important to do so in a way that will enhance the well being of all. While the evolution of the human species is still (for the most part) a function of nature, the evolution of humanity is in our hands and it is our responsibility to progress it toward its highest ideals. In the same way, humanism itself is evolving, because humanists recognize that values and ideals, and therefore the meaning of life, are subject to change as our understanding improves.[13]

Humanist doctrines and life stance
Main article: Humanist (life stance)

The original doctrine of humanism is set forth in the Humanist Manifesto[12] and has been revised and refined in A Secular Humanist Declaration,[14] the Humanist Manifesto II, and the Humanist Manifesto III (in which humanism is referred to as a life stance).[13]


Theistic beliefs about the meaning of life

Main articles: Religion and Religious humanism

Relationship to God

Many people who believe in a personal God would agree that it is God "in whom we live and move and have our being" (Acts 17:28). Although belief is also based on knowing God "through the things he has made," the decision to believe in such an authority is called the "leap of faith".

What is the purpose in one's life?

An example of how religion sets purpose can be found in the biblical story of creation in the Old Testament of the Bible (Genesis 1:28), in which God orders Man to "Be fruitful, and multiply; fill the earth, and subdue it". This indicates that the propagation of the human race, the care and population of the earth, and the control of the earth are the first three commandments God has set for man.

Another Biblical example is given in Micah 6:8, which states "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."


Spiritual and mystical views of the meaning of life

The Book of Light presents the nature of God and the purpose of creation.[16] According to Michael Sharp, God is consciousness and the purpose of creation is to have fun (alleviate boredom). Creation exists "as a dream inside the mind of God" and we are all Sparks of the One Creator Consciousness.

Mystical views

The view of mysticism varies widely according to how each speaker describes it. In general the view is broadly that life is a happening, an unfolding. There is no duality, it is a nondual worldview, in which subject and object are the same, the sense of doer-ship is illusionary. This view is central to Buddhism, and is also found in certain non-dual sects of Hinduism. To become enlightened as to the nature and oneness of the universe

Popular beliefs of the purpose of life

"What is the meaning of life?" is a question many people ask themselves at some point during their lives, most in the context "What is the purpose of life?"[3] Here are some of the life goals people choose, and some of their beliefs on what the purpose of life is:

...to survive

  • ...to survive,[17] that is, to live as long as possible,[18] including pursuit of indefinite lifespan (the closest thing to immortality that is theoretically possible) through scientific means (see life extension)[19]
  • ...to evolve[20][21]
  • ...to replicate, "the dream of a bacteria is to become two bacteria," since DNA replication has a mutation rate, this results in evolution.

...to find happiness

to end suffering, to create equality, to challenge oppression, to distribute wealth, be generous, to contribute to a community, to help others, be creative and have fun. And to be a true authentic human being and accept and forgive human flaws. [citation needed]



See also

Speculation

What is the origin of life?

What is the nature of life (and of the universe in which we live)?

What is the significance of life?

What is valuable in life?

What is the purpose of, or in, (one's) life?

Covering more than one of the above

Related topics

References

  1. ^ a b Davies, Paul (March 2000). The Fifth Miracle: The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0-684-86309-X.
  2. ^ a b "The Fifth Miracle: The Search for the Origin and Meaning of Life". Retrieved 2007-07-26.
  3. ^ a b "Question of the Month: What Is The Meaning Of Life?". Philosophy Now. Issue 59. Retrieved 2007-07-26.
  4. ^ Puolimatka, Tapio (2002). "Education and the Meaning of Life" (PDF). Philosophy of Education. University of Helsinki. Retrieved 2007-07-26. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  5. ^ Baggini, Julian (September 2004). What's It All About? Philosophy and the Meaning of Life. USA: Granta Books. ISBN 1862076618.
  6. ^ Greene, Brian (2004). The Fabric of the Cosmos. New York: Alfred A. Knopf. p. 272. ISBN 0375727205.
  7. ^ Charles Darwin. (1859). On the Origin of Species.
  8. ^ Luisi, Pier Luigi (1998). "Does Science See A Purpose In Life?". Center for Theoretical Study. Retrieved 2007-07-26.
  9. ^ Wohlgennant, Rudolph. (1981). "Has the Question about the Meaning of Life any Meaning?" (Chapter 4). In E. Morscher, ed., Philosophie als Wissenschaft.
  10. ^ Taylor, Richard (January 1970). Good and Evil. Macmillan Publishing Company. pp. "The Meaning of Life" (Chapter 5). ISBN 0026166909.
  11. ^ McNaughton, David (August 1988). Moral Vision: An Introduction to Ethics. Oxford: Blackwell Publishing. pp. "Moral Freedom and the Meaning of Life" (Section 1.5). ISBN 0631159452.
  12. ^ a b c d e "Humanist Manifesto I". American Humanist Association. 1933. Retrieved 2007-07-26.
  13. ^ a b c d e "Humanist Manifesto III". American Humanist Association. 2003. Retrieved 2007-08-01.
  14. ^ a b "A Secular Humanist Declaration". Council for Democratic and Secular Humanism (now the Council for Secular Humanism). 1980. Retrieved 2007-08-01.
  15. ^ "Humanist Manifesto II". American Humanist Association. 1973. Retrieved 2007-08-01.
  16. ^ Sharp, Michael (2005). The Book of Light: The Nature of God, The Structure of Consciousness, and The Universe Within You. Avatar Publications. ISBN 0-9738555-2-5. Retrieved 2007-07-26.
  17. ^ Lopez, Mike (September 22, 1999). "Episode III: Relativism? A Jedi craves not these things". The Michigan Daily. Retrieved 2007-07-26.
  18. ^ Lovatt, Stephen C. (2007). New Skins for Old Wine. Universal Publishers. pp. The Meaning of Life. ISBN 1581129602.
  19. ^ Kurzweil, Ray (2004). Fantastic Voyage. Holtzbrinck Publishers. ISBN 1-57954-954-3. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ Cameron, Donald (2001). The Purpose of Life. Woodhill Publishing. ISBN 0-9540291-0-0.
  21. ^ Wayne, Larry. "Expanding The Oneness". SelfGrowth.com. Retrieved 2007-07-26. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  22. ^ Lee, Dong Yul (June 2000). "What Makes You Happy?: A Comparison of Self-reported Criteria of Happiness Between Two Cultures". Social Indicators Research. 50 (3): 351–362. doi:10.1023/A:1004647517069. Retrieved 2007-07-26. {{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  23. ^ [1]

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