We are quite happy to talk glibly of there being no meaning to life other than what we ascribe to it or, alternatively, our having a sense of meaning in our lives, but what do we actually mean by 'meaning' in this sense?
What is the defining characteristic of an ascribed meaning regardless of its purported independence of the ascriber?
2007-04-08 23:52:30 · 16 answers · asked by tuthutop 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
When people say "what is the meaning of life" what they are asking is "why do I exist? Is there a reason or is it meaningless?"
The answer depends on your spiritual status I guess. People with a spiritual bent say that the meaning of life is one ascribed by God (whomever your God may be). This is generally summarised as:
1. To worship God and show appreciation for your creation
2. To do good deeds and help other people
3. To spread the Word of God to other people
People who have no spiritual bent may or may not think there is a meaning to life. Answers from them may be:
1. Life has no set meaning and you yourself can choose what is the most important thing to do in your life
2. We are here as animals to live, reproduce and raise our young to adulthood
3. why do we need a meaning? can't we be happy with the miracle that we even exist and have the freedom to use our life is any way we choose?
2007-04-09 00:17:09 · answer #1 · answered by lala_cewex_australia 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The meaning of meaning is as complicated as it is would seem. The real problem with defining meaning is that the object object or subject object dichotomies cannot be used on everything, because you need an object of reference.
Another way to look at it is that meaning or being are the source of light and it is in this light that one can see.
The best way to define meaning is to define nothingness. This of course, is also a task beyond yahoo answers. Meaning (which is the same as being) is the opposite of nothing. Humans cannot understand something unless they can related it to something else, so there is no way to understand nothingness.
I can't even think of how to define meaning phenomenologically.
This is far to complicated.
I suppose that i'll just have to use an old cop out and paraphrase spinoza: "Meaning is everything, everything is meaning."
But thats Bullsh*t, isn't it?
Oh well.
2007-04-09 00:16:35 · answer #2 · answered by Stills 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"each time you awaken and ask your self, "What good issues am I going to do at present?. Then your handbag is magically crammed with twenty-4 hours of the magic tissue of the universe of your existence. no you will take it from you. no one gets the two greater or under you acquire. Waste your infinitely priceless commodity as much as you will, and the availability merely isn't withheld from you. besides, you may no longer draw on the destiny. impossible to get into debt. you may in basic terms waste the passing strikes. you may no longer waste day after today. it fairly is stored for you. I propose, there is little adequate in this existence, fairly, and you in basic terms discover it worth dwelling for the extraordinary moments, and in case you think of you are going to have those extraordinary moments lower back, then it makes existence spectacular and have a meaning. existence is an adventure ... Dare it existence is a attractiveness ... compliment it existence is a challenge ... Meet it existence is a duty ... carry out it existence is a Love ... savor it existence is a Tragedy ... Face it existence is a conflict ... combat it existence is a Promise ... fulfill it existence is a activity ... Play it existence is a recent ... settle for it existence is a journey ... complete it existence is a secret ... unfold it existence is a purpose ... gain it existence is an risk ... Take it existence is a Puzzle ... resolve it existence is a music ... Sing it existence is a Sorrow ... conquer it existence is a Spirit ... comprehend it the purpose of existence is a life-time of purpose.
2016-10-21 10:16:55 · answer #3 · answered by trinkle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have heard people describe meaning as a harmony of being. They often seem to use music as an analogy. There is a beauty to a complex orchestra composition that is hard to describe but we know it is beautiful and that every note is carefully woven into the entire piece. There is a sense of "oughtness" that brings joy. We somehow know that we ought to be just and compassionate and merciful and loving and it gives us joy to obey that moral authority.
2007-04-09 00:15:45 · answer #4 · answered by Matthew T 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would more like to think that this "meaning" is more of a personal one, basically asking what is ones own perspective on a particular topic, word or state of mind and in this case life.
Life I believe will have a different meaning to different people, in addition to different meaning to the same person dependant on t he state of mind that that person is in when asked.
2007-04-08 23:58:47 · answer #5 · answered by blackpus88 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think we need to decide that the meaning of life is before we can decide what the meaning of the meaning of life is.
in my opinion the meaning of life is different for every person, and basically what we do in this world to make a difference. that could be our job, saving a life, or maybe bringing up a kid who's descendants will do something great.
therefore the meaning of the meaning of life is basically "why do we exist?" and "why are we here?"
2007-04-09 06:33:30 · answer #6 · answered by captainblyton 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think people want to know the meaning of life because they feel lost and they think one answer applies to all in a sense it does but we're all on our own journey and we each have a unique life purpose.
2007-04-09 04:10:17 · answer #7 · answered by lifeoutsidethecircle 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ha ha ha, I suspect that it is a ploy by well-educated people to drop many names and complex arguments into such a conversation and pass them off as their own.
the 'meaning' possibly relating to a reason/s to live in a particular manner, with specific moral conduct observed as often as possible.
2007-04-09 03:19:56 · answer #8 · answered by Duncan Disorderly 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
L Learning
I Independence
F Friendship
E Excellence
- It was an old school motto and its the only thing i could think of. I also think that it is true.
2007-04-09 06:14:52 · answer #9 · answered by me 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The meaning for which GOD created us is as far as I can put together:
1: To worship and love the LORD with all your heart and all your mind and all your soul.
2: To serve as a good steward for his great garden the earth.
2007-04-09 05:56:00 · answer #10 · answered by Christian Warrior 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋