Meaning Of Life Essay Example
Meaning Of Life Essay Example

Meaning Of Life Essay Example

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  • Pages: 3 (712 words)
  • Published: April 12, 2017
  • Type: Essay
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Across time, the topic of the importance of life has been a dominant subject in logical discourse, spanning from past eras to contemporary times.

The concept of the meaning of life is approached by various hypotheses: some claim it lies in fulfilling one's purpose while others assert that life is meaningless. Albert Camus argues that life is pointless, as exemplified by the story of Sisyphus; however, suicide is not a necessary consequence. Similarly, Arthur Schopenhauer argues that life inherently lacks meaning, but humans create purpose to deny this fact.

James Rachels and Schopenhauer share similarities in their emphasis on the importance of happiness as a means of overcoming meaninglessness. However, Rachels differs from Schopenhauer by rejecting the notion that meaninglessness is inherent in human nature. According to Rachels, individuals may experience a sense of meaninglessness due to personal struggles such as disconnectedness with one's

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environment or inability to address pressing issues. Nonetheless, humans are innately happy and disruptions to happiness are typically caused by catastrophic events or negative circumstances. Despite this, individuals tend to rebound and strive for meaningful lives since happiness is ingrained in the human psyche. Self-control, establishing interpersonal connections, and achieving personally created projects contribute significantly to human happiness. Possessing control over one's life and future is crucial since it provides a sense of empowerment and fulfillment.

Personal control is dependent on the sense of freedom, which enables individuals to define themselves according to their desired design. Establishing relationships with others brings happiness as it creates a connection not only with the universe but also with another person, thereby confirming the meaningfulness of the relationship and contributing greatly to our sense of undeniable significance.

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Growth highlights self-worth, affirming happiness or meaningfulness. Actualizing projects brings extreme happiness, especially when others are still struggling or not given the chance to do so.

Although Rachel suggests that happiness and meaning are synonymous, her viewpoint does not provide a definitive portrayal of life. Simply experiencing extreme happiness does not guarantee a meaningful existence. It is essential to recognize that defining one's being is crucial for discovering purpose, regardless of whether it involves positive or negative experiences. Genuine significance arises from comprehensively understanding oneself as a whole entity rather than fixating solely on one aspect like happiness.

Although the meaning of life cannot be imposed by others and varies from person to person, it is interesting to note that our existence may feel pointless, motivating us to find a purpose. The ever-changing nature of life prevents a fixed standard for defining its meaning. While some believe in an objective goal or derive meaning solely from positive occurrences, meaningfulness cannot be determined by dogmatic convictions or external influences. Ultimately, every individual must embark on a personal voyage of self-discovery to uncover their own interpretation of the concept.

It can be contended that taking this stance promotes either a subjective or pragmatic approach to defining meaning. This is because each person will establish their own interpretation based on their predispositions and assessment of its feasibility. However, it should be acknowledged that subjectivity is bound to exist among individuals as they are inherently distinct entities, which implies that everything is limited to the confines of their rationality. For instance, one person may consider life to be meaningful because they experienced happiness while another individual may perceive life to be meaningful

due to nostalgia. The main point here is that the variation in their perception of meaningfulness is a result of their subjective nature. If this were not the case, then there would be no discrepancy or argument over what constitutes as a meaningful life. In terms of a pragmatic approach, the meaning of life cannot be based solely on its practicality as it can mislead us from our genuine purpose. Just because something works for us does not necessarily equate to it being meaningful. It only indicates that we are in the process of defining ourselves, and once the practicality of our prescribed meaning no longer satisfies us, we will discard it.

Life's meaning is multifaceted as it encompasses our existence and requires authenticity that cannot be reduced to practicality. By embracing our authentic selves, we gain insight into our innate nature and abilities, which are the foundation of life's significance.

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