Philosophy in Fall:Philosophy in Fall:What is the Meaning of What is the Meaning of

Life?Life?

Feraco-EberleFeraco-Eberle

SFHPSFHP

14 November 200814 November 2008

The Question SeriesThe Question Series What is Choice? – √What is Choice? – √ What is Morality? - √What is Morality? - √ What is Happiness? - √What is Happiness? - √ What is the Soul? - √What is the Soul? - √ What is Death? - √What is Death? - √ What is the Meaning of Life?What is the Meaning of Life? Great Thinkers Confront Our QuestionsGreat Thinkers Confront Our Questions My Philosophy (Rough Draft + Final Draft)My Philosophy (Rough Draft + Final Draft)

What is the Meaning of What is the Meaning of Life?Life? The Good Left UndoneThe Good Left Undone

A Different Kind of A Different Kind of DualismDualism

The Good That We DoThe Good That We Do What If Nothing What If Nothing

Matters?Matters? Considerations and Considerations and

Schools of ThoughtSchools of Thought It’s Someone Else’s It’s Someone Else’s

Choice Choice It’s All Up to MeIt’s All Up to Me

No, Nothing MattersNo, Nothing Matters What If Everything What If Everything

Matters?Matters? A Constant Work in A Constant Work in

ProgressProgress The Search for The Search for

Human PotentialHuman Potential The Writing The Writing

AssignmentAssignment

The Good Left UndoneThe Good Left Undone Something left unstated during our death lecture – Something left unstated during our death lecture –

albeit something that most are already aware of – is albeit something that most are already aware of – is the fact that time marches on without you once you the fact that time marches on without you once you pass awaypass away

Your children will age, your spouse will die, and new Your children will age, your spouse will die, and new generations you’ll never meet will rise and fallgenerations you’ll never meet will rise and fall

Would you want to outlive your parents? Would you want to outlive your parents? Your siblings?Your siblings? Your spouse?Your spouse? Your children?Your children? ““Tuck Everlasting”Tuck Everlasting”

The Good Left Undone, The Good Left Undone, Part IIPart II Assuming there’s something awaiting you after death – Assuming there’s something awaiting you after death –

and assuming you won’t begin another iteration of the and assuming you won’t begin another iteration of the Samsara cycle immediately – would you want to be able Samsara cycle immediately – would you want to be able to affect the present from beyond? to affect the present from beyond?

Would you want your widow to remarry?Would you want your widow to remarry? ““The Lady, or the Tiger?”The Lady, or the Tiger?”

Are you afraid that you won’t have enough time to do Are you afraid that you won’t have enough time to do the things you dream of doing, or to follow through on the things you dream of doing, or to follow through on your best intentions?your best intentions?

We talked about the possibilities for what lay beyond We talked about the possibilities for what lay beyond yesterday, and even allowed you to design your own yesterday, and even allowed you to design your own ValhallaValhalla

What would the worst part about dying be? What do you What would the worst part about dying be? What do you fear you’ll miss?fear you’ll miss?

Do thoughts of “the good left undone” ever give you pause?Do thoughts of “the good left undone” ever give you pause?

A Different Kind of A Different Kind of DualismDualism The dualists – the interactionists, anyway – insist that The dualists – the interactionists, anyway – insist that

there’s an interactive relationship between our there’s an interactive relationship between our bodies and our soulsbodies and our souls

I propose that a similarly dualistic relationship exists I propose that a similarly dualistic relationship exists between our attitudes towards death and lifebetween our attitudes towards death and life

People who are truly terrified about life after death – People who are truly terrified about life after death – say, those who are convinced they’re going to do say, those who are convinced they’re going to do something during life that they’ll pay for in death – something during life that they’ll pay for in death – probably aren’t going to live boldlyprobably aren’t going to live boldly

If you fear long-lasting consequences, do you take If you fear long-lasting consequences, do you take risks?risks?

The Good That We DoThe Good That We Do I also mentioned yesterday that we often do I also mentioned yesterday that we often do

good things for odd reasons – in order to good things for odd reasons – in order to avoid a negative consequence, for example, avoid a negative consequence, for example, rather than out of a genuine sense of rather than out of a genuine sense of goodnessgoodness

Don’t behave cruelly, or the guilt will haunt Don’t behave cruelly, or the guilt will haunt youyou

Some of you only do your homework because Some of you only do your homework because you recognize the consequences of giving you recognize the consequences of giving away pointsaway points

Is That the Meaning of Is That the Meaning of Life?Life? Is that the purpose of life?Is that the purpose of life?

Eighty years of avoiding negative consequences long Eighty years of avoiding negative consequences long enough to make it to the next day?enough to make it to the next day?

Eighty years of “resume-building”?Eighty years of “resume-building”? I may be young and fairly inexperienced, with a I may be young and fairly inexperienced, with a

whole lot left to learn, but I’m reluctant to believe whole lot left to learn, but I’m reluctant to believe that the ultimate meaning of my life is so narrowthat the ultimate meaning of my life is so narrow

So that’s my starting point: We’ll build on survivalSo that’s my starting point: We’ll build on survival What is the meaning of life beyond self-perpetuation?What is the meaning of life beyond self-perpetuation?

Trending Towards Trending Towards GoodnessGoodness I tend to take a lighter view of humanity than many of I tend to take a lighter view of humanity than many of

you; I don’t believe that we’re naturally evilyou; I don’t believe that we’re naturally evil If I did, what would “human potential” even mean?If I did, what would “human potential” even mean?

I think that we do good things for a lot of weird reasons – I think that we do good things for a lot of weird reasons – but that we do good things for the right reasons as wellbut that we do good things for the right reasons as well

I don’t think creatures of evil could even conceive of I don’t think creatures of evil could even conceive of some of our treasured concepts – love, preservation, some of our treasured concepts – love, preservation, loyalty, curiosityloyalty, curiosity

What I wonder, then, is whether these admirable What I wonder, then, is whether these admirable qualities give us a clue about what the ultimate meaning qualities give us a clue about what the ultimate meaning of life actually is – assuming one exists, of courseof life actually is – assuming one exists, of course

ConsiderationsConsiderations What are we considering when we set out to study the What are we considering when we set out to study the

“meaning” of life?“meaning” of life? For one thing, we have to take an honest look at the possibility that For one thing, we have to take an honest look at the possibility that

life life isis meaningless – that not only were the monists right about meaningless – that not only were the monists right about human existence (with regards to the afterlife, not with regards to human existence (with regards to the afterlife, not with regards to the “everything-is-made-out-of-the-same-stuff” business), but that the “everything-is-made-out-of-the-same-stuff” business), but that there’s not even any meaning to the existence you’re currently there’s not even any meaning to the existence you’re currently enjoyingenjoying

By doing so, however, we confront a variation on an old theme: How do By doing so, however, we confront a variation on an old theme: How do you prove something that’s this abstract you prove something that’s this abstract doesn’tdoesn’t exist? exist?

It’s like saying “There’s never been – and will never be – a creature who It’s like saying “There’s never been – and will never be – a creature who can survive in the vacuum of outer space.”can survive in the vacuum of outer space.”

Really? Never? In all of the universe?Really? Never? In all of the universe? How can I possibly prove that with any degree of verifiability?How can I possibly prove that with any degree of verifiability?

We also need to examine whether something else confers purpose We also need to examine whether something else confers purpose onto us – or whether the meaning of our own lives is within the onto us – or whether the meaning of our own lives is within the realm of our controlrealm of our control

Different Schools of Different Schools of ThoughtThought It’s worth noting that this is a teleological question It’s worth noting that this is a teleological question

(remember them?)(remember them?) After all, teleological operating philosophy doesn’t just After all, teleological operating philosophy doesn’t just

assign one purpose to life – it assigns multiple ones in the assign one purpose to life – it assigns multiple ones in the form of goalsform of goals

Teleologists can believe in an external force that confers Teleologists can believe in an external force that confers meaning on people, and they can believe that we create meaning on people, and they can believe that we create our own meaningsour own meanings

You can also talk about nihilists – those who believe life is You can also talk about nihilists – those who believe life is fundamentally, unchangeably meaningless, and that fundamentally, unchangeably meaningless, and that nothing we do, say, or think matters (or ever has mattered)nothing we do, say, or think matters (or ever has mattered)

They’re the flip side of teleology – no goal is meaningful at allThey’re the flip side of teleology – no goal is meaningful at all

It’s Someone Else’s It’s Someone Else’s ChoiceChoice If meaning is conferred upon my life (whether it’s some If meaning is conferred upon my life (whether it’s some

sort of “omni force” or not), does this infringe on my right sort of “omni force” or not), does this infringe on my right to free will – and, in turn, my ability to make choices to free will – and, in turn, my ability to make choices according to a morality of my design that lead to a sense according to a morality of my design that lead to a sense of happiness that’s my own?of happiness that’s my own?

Phew – it’s hard to tackle four of our questions at oncePhew – it’s hard to tackle four of our questions at once This sort of thing would be purpose by designThis sort of thing would be purpose by design

Does it infringe? Well, not necessarilyDoes it infringe? Well, not necessarily We set the conditions, but not the resultWe set the conditions, but not the result All we’ve specified is that something else is in charge of your life’s All we’ve specified is that something else is in charge of your life’s

purpose – and not, say, whether that purpose is to discover new purpose – and not, say, whether that purpose is to discover new things via the exercising of your free willthings via the exercising of your free will

In other words, saying something else gives you purpose doesn’t In other words, saying something else gives you purpose doesn’t wash your hands of responsibility – for better or for worsewash your hands of responsibility – for better or for worse

It’s All Up to MeIt’s All Up to Me Conversely, saying that we’re in charge of our own life’s Conversely, saying that we’re in charge of our own life’s

purpose isn’t an argument that such purposes are purpose isn’t an argument that such purposes are somehow arbitrarysomehow arbitrary

In fact, the idea of an arbitrary purpose is somewhat weird – since, In fact, the idea of an arbitrary purpose is somewhat weird – since, after all, something has to be meaningless or purposeless to be after all, something has to be meaningless or purposeless to be arbitraryarbitrary

The idea of a person “finding his calling” can work both The idea of a person “finding his calling” can work both waysways

It can mean he needs time to figure out what he’s supposed to doIt can mean he needs time to figure out what he’s supposed to do It can mean he needs time to figure out what he’s good at, or It can mean he needs time to figure out what he’s good at, or

what we want to do – and whether those things can be meaningful what we want to do – and whether those things can be meaningful enough to sustain himenough to sustain him

Think of how often college kids change their majors!Think of how often college kids change their majors! Think of how often professionals switch lines of work!Think of how often professionals switch lines of work! Again, this can seem arbitrary – but it can also seem like a logical Again, this can seem arbitrary – but it can also seem like a logical

processprocess It all depends on whether you believe “purpose” is staticIt all depends on whether you believe “purpose” is static

Nothing MattersNothing Matters Nihilists want you to accept that life is fundamentally Nihilists want you to accept that life is fundamentally

meaninglessmeaningless They argue that there’s no great scheme, no grand They argue that there’s no great scheme, no grand

purpose, to you or anything elsepurpose, to you or anything else Nihilists say Nihilists say everything everything is arbitraryis arbitrary

We are random and alone, have always been and always will beWe are random and alone, have always been and always will be There are no universal moral values that humans should holdThere are no universal moral values that humans should hold

While faith isn’t necessary for morality, purpose seems to While faith isn’t necessary for morality, purpose seems to be – for morality, in many cases, seems to be about be – for morality, in many cases, seems to be about upholding one’s ability to fulfill his/her purpose, or to upholding one’s ability to fulfill his/her purpose, or to avoid harming others in their quest to do the sameavoid harming others in their quest to do the same

Without purpose, without meaning – what’s the point of a Without purpose, without meaning – what’s the point of a moral system? What are we even trying to protect?moral system? What are we even trying to protect?

Well, What if Nothing Well, What if Nothing Matters?Matters? There’s really nothing more to say about nihilism – either There’s really nothing more to say about nihilism – either

you buy into the idea that there’s no meaning to life you buy into the idea that there’s no meaning to life (think monism stripped of purpose) or you don’t(think monism stripped of purpose) or you don’t

We can’t really spend too much time on it, other than to We can’t really spend too much time on it, other than to wonder about the hypothetical consequences if nihilism wonder about the hypothetical consequences if nihilism is correctis correct

After all, we talked about how morality would be After all, we talked about how morality would be impacted by either an affirmative or dissuasive impacted by either an affirmative or dissuasive knowledge of what awaits us beyond deathknowledge of what awaits us beyond death

It could make morality easier – or people would still be tempted It could make morality easier – or people would still be tempted to push the limits and see what they can get away withto push the limits and see what they can get away with

What would happen if we What would happen if we knewknew that that nothingnothing really really mattered? mattered?

What if Everything What if Everything Matters?Matters? Now we’ll pull back from the brink in order to take a second look Now we’ll pull back from the brink in order to take a second look

at human purposeat human purpose If purpose and meaning are conferred upon us, what are some If purpose and meaning are conferred upon us, what are some

conceivable meanings?conceivable meanings? Perhaps to generously provide for othersPerhaps to generously provide for others Perhaps to search for answers and questionsPerhaps to search for answers and questions Perhaps to teach and guide those around usPerhaps to teach and guide those around us Perhaps to improve and evolve, physically and emotionallyPerhaps to improve and evolve, physically and emotionally Perhaps to carry on in our predecessors’ footsteps, or to protect our Perhaps to carry on in our predecessors’ footsteps, or to protect our

heritageheritage Perhaps to find peace and serenityPerhaps to find peace and serenity Any others?Any others? Do we have different options if we’re adjusting our own purposes?Do we have different options if we’re adjusting our own purposes?

Is there a unified meaning of human existence, or is purpose Is there a unified meaning of human existence, or is purpose unique for every being?unique for every being?

Personally…Personally… Do you feel like you understand the meaning Do you feel like you understand the meaning

of your life?of your life? If you don’t yet, do you feel like you’ll get it If you don’t yet, do you feel like you’ll get it

someday?someday? Is life meant to be complicated? A constant Is life meant to be complicated? A constant

work in progress? Is it meant to be “solved”?work in progress? Is it meant to be “solved”?

A Constant Work in A Constant Work in ProgressProgress We’ve joked throughout the unit that humans seem to We’ve joked throughout the unit that humans seem to

gravitate towards chaos – that we complicate things gravitate towards chaos – that we complicate things unnecessarily, that we love questioningunnecessarily, that we love questioning

However, that same tendency towards chaos might be However, that same tendency towards chaos might be what keeps us from stagnating – might even be what what keeps us from stagnating – might even be what makes life worth living after allmakes life worth living after all

The very chaos that nihilists cite as reason to believe that none The very chaos that nihilists cite as reason to believe that none of this matters could very well be the reason everything doesof this matters could very well be the reason everything does

““I often wonder if I'll ever finish all I've started, and the I often wonder if I'll ever finish all I've started, and the answer I have found is answer I have found is nono. No, I will never finish all that . No, I will never finish all that I have started because life is about I have started because life is about doingdoing – the process – the process – not the result…My life’s a constant work in progress, – not the result…My life’s a constant work in progress, and I wouldn't have it any other way.”and I wouldn't have it any other way.”

Set Your GoalsSet Your Goals, “Work , “Work in Progress”in Progress”

The Search for Human The Search for Human PotentialPotential We began this semester by talking about the five points We began this semester by talking about the five points

of a single star: enlightenment, independence, identity, of a single star: enlightenment, independence, identity, security, and lovesecurity, and love

None of our existential questions is None of our existential questions is aboutabout one of these one of these points…and yet, at the same, points…and yet, at the same, allall of them are of them are

Isn’t the question about choice really about independence and Isn’t the question about choice really about independence and identity?identity?

Isn’t the question about morality really about identity and Isn’t the question about morality really about identity and (mutual) security?(mutual) security?

Isn’t the question about happiness really about independence and Isn’t the question about happiness really about independence and identity?identity?

Isn’t the question about the soul really about love and identity?Isn’t the question about the soul really about love and identity? Isn’t the question about death really about love, identity, and Isn’t the question about death really about love, identity, and

security?security? Isn’t this question – about the meaning of life – really about the Isn’t this question – about the meaning of life – really about the

whole thing?whole thing? Aren’t all of these questions – indeed, the very fact that we’re Aren’t all of these questions – indeed, the very fact that we’re

questioning, that you’re here – really about enlightenment?questioning, that you’re here – really about enlightenment? Isn’t philosophy, at its core, about searching for human potential – Isn’t philosophy, at its core, about searching for human potential –

and the wonderful discoveries one can make?and the wonderful discoveries one can make? And isn’t this life a wonderful, endlessly fascinating puzzle – full of And isn’t this life a wonderful, endlessly fascinating puzzle – full of

mysteries to be solved, happiness to be won, and new frontiers to mysteries to be solved, happiness to be won, and new frontiers to cross?cross?

The Writing The Writing AssignmentAssignment I’d like you to articulate your personal I’d like you to articulate your personal

philosophy regarding the meaning of life philosophy regarding the meaning of life – why do we live? What’s the point of – why do we live? What’s the point of everything? everything?

Remember, this is an ongoing assignment Remember, this is an ongoing assignment with an open timeframe; at the end of the with an open timeframe; at the end of the unit, the body of these writings will allow unit, the body of these writings will allow you to form your personal statement of you to form your personal statement of philosophy – the unit’s “end product.”philosophy – the unit’s “end product.”

You may work until the end of the period.You may work until the end of the period.