Philosophy in Fall: What is the Meaning of Life? Feraco-EberleSFHP 14 November 2008

The 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 Questions Great Thinkers Confront Our Questions My Philosophy (Rough Draft + Final Draft) My Philosophy (Rough Draft + Final Draft)

What is the Meaning of Life? The Good Left Undone The Good Left Undone A Different Kind of Dualism A Different Kind of Dualism The Good That We Do The Good That We Do What If Nothing Matters? What If Nothing Matters? Considerations and Schools of Thought Considerations and Schools of Thought It’s Someone Else’s Choice It’s Someone Else’s Choice It’s All Up to Me It’s All Up to Me No, Nothing Matters What If Everything Matters? A Constant Work in Progress The Search for Human Potential The Writing Assignment

The Good Left Undone Something left unstated during our death lecture – albeit something that most are already aware of – is the fact that time marches on without you once you pass away Something left unstated during our death lecture – albeit something that most are already aware of – is the fact that time marches on without you once you pass away Your children will age, your spouse will die, and new generations you’ll never meet will rise and fall Your children will age, your spouse will die, and new generations 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, Part II Assuming there’s something awaiting you after death – and assuming you won’t begin another iteration of the Samsara cycle immediately – would you want to be able to affect the present from beyond? Assuming there’s something awaiting you after death – and assuming you won’t begin another iteration of the Samsara cycle immediately – would you want to be able 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 the things you dream of doing, or to follow through on your best intentions? Are you afraid that you won’t have enough time to do the things you dream of doing, or to follow through on your best intentions? We talked about the possibilities for what lay beyond yesterday, and even allowed you to design your own Valhalla We talked about the possibilities for what lay beyond yesterday, and even allowed you to design your own Valhalla What would the worst part about dying be? What do you fear you’ll miss? What would the worst part about dying be? What do you 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 Dualism The dualists – the interactionists, anyway – insist that there’s an interactive relationship between our bodies and our souls The dualists – the interactionists, anyway – insist that there’s an interactive relationship between our bodies and our souls I propose that a similarly dualistic relationship exists between our attitudes towards death and life I propose that a similarly dualistic relationship exists between our attitudes towards death and life People who are truly terrified about life after death – say, those who are convinced they’re going to do something during life that they’ll pay for in death – probably aren’t going to live boldly People who are truly terrified about life after death – say, those who are convinced they’re going to do something during life that they’ll pay for in death – probably aren’t going to live boldly If you fear long-lasting consequences, do you take risks? If you fear long-lasting consequences, do you take risks?

The Good That We Do I also mentioned yesterday that we often do good things for odd reasons – in order to avoid a negative consequence, for example, rather than out of a genuine sense of goodness I also mentioned yesterday that we often do good things for odd reasons – in order to avoid a negative consequence, for example, rather than out of a genuine sense of goodness Don’t behave cruelly, or the guilt will haunt you Don’t behave cruelly, or the guilt will haunt you Some of you only do your homework because you recognize the consequences of giving away points Some of you only do your homework because you recognize the consequences of giving away points

Is That the Meaning of Life? Is that the purpose of life? Is that the purpose of life? Eighty years of avoiding negative consequences long enough to make it to the next day? Eighty years of avoiding negative consequences long 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 whole lot left to learn, but I’m reluctant to believe that the ultimate meaning of my life is so narrow I may be young and fairly inexperienced, with a whole lot left to learn, but I’m reluctant to believe that the ultimate meaning of my life is so narrow So that’s my starting point: We’ll build on survival So 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 Goodness I tend to take a lighter view of humanity than many of you; I don’t believe that we’re naturally evil I tend to take a lighter view of humanity than many of you; 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 – but that we do good things for the right reasons as well I think that we do good things for a lot of weird reasons – but that we do good things for the right reasons as well I don’t think creatures of evil could even conceive of some of our treasured concepts – love, preservation, loyalty, curiosity I don’t think creatures of evil could even conceive of some of our treasured concepts – love, preservation, loyalty, curiosity What I wonder, then, is whether these admirable qualities give us a clue about what the ultimate meaning of life actually is – assuming one exists, of course What I wonder, then, is whether these admirable qualities give us a clue about what the ultimate meaning of life actually is – assuming one exists, of course

Considerations What are we considering when we set out to study the “meaning” of life? What are we considering when we set out to study the “meaning” of life? For one thing, we have to take an honest look at the possibility that life is meaningless – that not only were the monists right about human existence (with regards to the afterlife, not with regards to the “everything-is-made- out-of-the-same-stuff” business), but that there’s not even any meaning to the existence you’re currently enjoying For one thing, we have to take an honest look at the possibility that life is meaningless – that not only were the monists right about human existence (with regards to the afterlife, not with regards to the “everything-is-made- out-of-the-same-stuff” business), but that there’s not even any meaning to the existence you’re currently enjoying By doing so, however, we confront a variation on an old theme: How do you prove something that’s this abstract doesn’t exist? By doing so, however, we confront a variation on an old theme: How do you prove something that’s this abstract doesn’t exist? It’s like saying “There’s never been – and will never be – a creature who can survive in the vacuum of outer space.” It’s like saying “There’s never been – and will never be – a creature who 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 onto us – or whether the meaning of our own lives is within the realm of our control We also need to examine whether something else confers purpose onto us – or whether the meaning of our own lives is within the realm of our control

Different Schools of Thought It’s worth noting that this is a teleological question (remember them?) It’s worth noting that this is a teleological question (remember them?) After all, teleological operating philosophy doesn’t just assign one purpose to life – it assigns multiple ones in the form of goals After all, teleological operating philosophy doesn’t just assign one purpose to life – it assigns multiple ones in the form of goals Teleologists can believe in an external force that confers meaning on people, and they can believe that we create our own meanings Teleologists can believe in an external force that confers meaning on people, and they can believe that we create our own meanings You can also talk about nihilists – those who believe life is fundamentally, unchangeably meaningless, and that nothing we do, say, or think matters (or ever has mattered) You can also talk about nihilists – those who believe life is fundamentally, unchangeably meaningless, and that nothing we do, say, or think matters (or ever has mattered) They’re the flip side of teleology – no goal is meaningful at all They’re the flip side of teleology – no goal is meaningful at all

It’s Someone Else’s Choice If meaning is conferred upon my life (whether it’s some sort of “omni force” or not), does this infringe on my right to free will – and, in turn, my ability to make choices according to a morality of my design that lead to a sense of happiness that’s my own? If meaning is conferred upon my life (whether it’s some sort of “omni force” or not), does this infringe on my right to free will – and, in turn, my ability to make choices according to a morality of my design that lead to a sense of happiness that’s my own? Phew – it’s hard to tackle four of our questions at once Phew – it’s hard to tackle four of our questions at once This sort of thing would be purpose by design This sort of thing would be purpose by design Does it infringe? Well, not necessarily Does it infringe? Well, not necessarily We set the conditions, but not the result We set the conditions, but not the result 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 things via the exercising of your free will 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 things via the exercising of your free will In other words, saying something else gives you purpose doesn’t wash your hands of responsibility – for better or for worse In other words, saying something else gives you purpose doesn’t wash your hands of responsibility – for better or for worse

It’s All Up to Me Conversely, saying that we’re in charge of our own life’s purpose isn’t an argument that such purposes are somehow arbitrary Conversely, saying that we’re in charge of our own life’s purpose isn’t an argument that such purposes are somehow arbitrary In fact, the idea of an arbitrary purpose is somewhat weird – since, after all, something has to be meaningless or purposeless to be arbitrary In fact, the idea of an arbitrary purpose is somewhat weird – since, after all, something has to be meaningless or purposeless to be arbitrary The idea of a person “finding his calling” can work both ways The idea of a person “finding his calling” can work both ways It 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 supposed to do 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 enough to sustain him 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 enough 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 process Again, this can seem arbitrary – but it can also seem like a logical process It all depends on whether you believe “purpose” is static It all depends on whether you believe “purpose” is static

Nothing Matters Nihilists want you to accept that life is fundamentally meaningless Nihilists want you to accept that life is fundamentally meaningless They argue that there’s no great scheme, no grand purpose, to you or anything else They argue that there’s no great scheme, no grand purpose, to you or anything else Nihilists say everything is arbitrary Nihilists say everything is arbitrary We are random and alone, have always been and always will be We are random and alone, have always been and always will be There are no universal moral values that humans should hold There are no universal moral values that humans should hold While faith isn’t necessary for morality, purpose seems to be – for morality, in many cases, seems to be about upholding one’s ability to fulfill his/her purpose, or to avoid harming others in their quest to do the same While faith isn’t necessary for morality, purpose seems to be – for morality, in many cases, seems to be about upholding one’s ability to fulfill his/her purpose, or to avoid harming others in their quest to do the same Without purpose, without meaning – what’s the point of a moral system? What are we even trying to protect? Without purpose, without meaning – what’s the point of a moral system? What are we even trying to protect?

Well, What if Nothing Matters? There’s really nothing more to say about nihilism – either you buy into the idea that there’s no meaning to life (think monism stripped of purpose) or you don’t There’s really nothing more to say about nihilism – either you buy into the idea that there’s no meaning to life (think monism stripped of purpose) or you don’t We can’t really spend too much time on it, other than to wonder about the hypothetical consequences if nihilism is correct We can’t really spend too much time on it, other than to wonder about the hypothetical consequences if nihilism is correct After all, we talked about how morality would be impacted by either an affirmative or dissuasive knowledge of what awaits us beyond death After all, we talked about how morality would be impacted by either an affirmative or dissuasive knowledge of what awaits us beyond death It could make morality easier – or people would still be tempted to push the limits and see what they can get away with It could make morality easier – or people would still be tempted to push the limits and see what they can get away with What would happen if we knew that nothing really mattered? What would happen if we knew that nothing really mattered?

What if Everything Matters? Now we’ll pull back from the brink in order to take a second look at human purpose Now we’ll pull back from the brink in order to take a second look at human purpose If purpose and meaning are conferred upon us, what are some conceivable meanings? If purpose and meaning are conferred upon us, what are some conceivable meanings? Perhaps to generously provide for others Perhaps to generously provide for others Perhaps to search for answers and questions Perhaps to search for answers and questions Perhaps to teach and guide those around us Perhaps to teach and guide those around us Perhaps to improve and evolve, physically and emotionally Perhaps to improve and evolve, physically and emotionally Perhaps to carry on in our predecessors’ footsteps, or to protect our heritage Perhaps to carry on in our predecessors’ footsteps, or to protect our heritage Perhaps to find peace and serenity Perhaps 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 unique for every being? Is there a unified meaning of human existence, or is purpose unique for every being?

Personally… Do you feel like you understand the meaning of your life? Do you feel like you understand the meaning of your life? If you don’t yet, do you feel like you’ll get it someday? If you don’t yet, do you feel like you’ll get it someday? Is life meant to be complicated? A constant work in progress? Is it meant to be “solved”? Is life meant to be complicated? A constant work in progress? Is it meant to be “solved”?

A Constant Work in Progress We’ve joked throughout the unit that humans seem to gravitate towards chaos – that we complicate things unnecessarily, that we love questioning We’ve joked throughout the unit that humans seem to gravitate towards chaos – that we complicate things unnecessarily, that we love questioning However, that same tendency towards chaos might be what keeps us from stagnating – might even be what makes life worth living after all However, that same tendency towards chaos might be what keeps us from stagnating – might even be what makes life worth living after all The very chaos that nihilists cite as reason to believe that none of this matters could very well be the reason everything does The very chaos that nihilists cite as reason to believe that none of this matters could very well be the reason everything does “I often wonder if I'll ever finish all I've started, and the answer I have found is no. No, I will never finish all that I have started because life is about doing – the process – not the result…My life’s a constant work in progress, and I wouldn't have it any other way.” “I often wonder if I'll ever finish all I've started, and the answer I have found is no. No, I will never finish all that I have started because life is about doing – the process – not the result…My life’s a constant work in progress, and I wouldn't have it any other way.” Set Your Goals, “Work in Progress” Set Your Goals, “Work in Progress”

The Search for Human Potential We began this semester by talking about the five points of a single star: enlightenment, independence, identity, security, and love We began this semester by talking about the five points of a single star: enlightenment, independence, identity, security, and love None of our existential questions is about one of these points…and yet, at the same, all of them are None of our existential questions is about one of these points…and yet, at the same, all of them are Isn’t the question about choice really about independence and identity? Isn’t the question about choice really about independence and identity? Isn’t the question about morality really about identity and (mutual) security? Isn’t the question about morality really about identity and (mutual) security? Isn’t the question about happiness really about independence and identity? Isn’t the question about happiness really about independence and 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 security? Isn’t the question about death really about love, identity, and security? Isn’t this question – about the meaning of life – really about the whole thing? Isn’t this question – about the meaning of life – really about the whole thing? Aren’t all of these questions – indeed, the very fact that we’re questioning, that you’re here – really about enlightenment? Aren’t all of these questions – indeed, the very fact that we’re questioning, that you’re here – really about enlightenment? Isn’t philosophy, at its core, about searching for human potential – and the wonderful discoveries one can make? Isn’t philosophy, at its core, about searching for human potential – and the wonderful discoveries one can make? And isn’t this life a wonderful, endlessly fascinating puzzle – full of mysteries to be solved, happiness to be won, and new frontiers to cross? And isn’t this life a wonderful, endlessly fascinating puzzle – full of mysteries to be solved, happiness to be won, and new frontiers to cross?

The Writing Assignment I’d like you to articulate your personal philosophy regarding the meaning of life – why do we live? What’s the point of everything? I’d like you to articulate your personal philosophy regarding the meaning of life – why do we live? What’s the point of everything? Remember, this is an ongoing assignment with an open timeframe; at the end of the unit, the body of these writings will allow you to form your personal statement of philosophy – the unit’s “end product.” Remember, this is an ongoing assignment with an open timeframe; at the end of the unit, the body of these writings will allow you to form your personal statement of philosophy – the unit’s “end product.” You may work until the end of the period. You may work until the end of the period.