1. What is the Meaning of Life? Feraco Search for Human Potential 13 December 2010

3. A Constant Work in Progress “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” 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 awaySomething 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 fallYour children will age, your spouse will die, and new generations you’ll never meet will rise and fall

4. A New Interactionism The dualists – the interactionists, anyway – insist that there’s an interactive relationship between our bodies and our soulsThe 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 lifeI 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 as boldly (or recklessly, to be fair) as those who aren’tPeople 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 as boldly (or recklessly, to be fair) as those who aren’t

5. Good Things, Odd Reasons I have also mentioned 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 goodnessI have also mentioned 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 youDon’t behave cruelly, or the guilt will haunt you Some of you only do your homework because you recognize the consequences of giving away pointsSome of you only do your homework because you recognize the consequences of giving away points

6. Beyond Self-Perpetuation 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 narrowI 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 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?

7. Not Naturally Evil…But What? I tend to take a lighter view of humanity than many of you; I don’t believe that we’re naturally evilI tend to take a lighter view of humanity than many of you; I don’t believe that we’re naturally evil If I believed humans were naturally evil, what would “human potential” even mean?If I believed humans were naturally evil, 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 wellI 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, curiosityI 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 courseWhat 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

8. Is There Meaning? 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 enjoyingFor 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

9. In All of the Universe 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 controlWe 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

10. Nihilism and Teleology 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 goalsAfter 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 meaningsTeleologists 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 allThey’re the flip side of teleology – no goal is meaningful at all

11. The Calling The idea of a person “finding his calling” can work both waysThe 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 (external)It can mean he needs time to figure out what he’s supposed to do (external) 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 (internal)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 (internal) 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 processAgain, this can seem arbitrary – but it can also seem like a logical process It all depends on whether you believe “purpose” is staticIt all depends on whether you believe “purpose” is static

12. Back to Nihilists Nihilists want you to accept that life is fundamentally meaninglessNihilists want you to accept that life is fundamentally meaningless They argue that there’s no great scheme, no grand purpose, to you or anything elseThey argue that there’s no great scheme, no grand purpose, to you or anything else Nihilists say everything is arbitraryNihilists say everything is 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

13. Without Purpose 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 sameWhile 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?

14. Done With Nihilists 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’tThere’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 correctWe 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 deathAfter 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 withIt 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?

15. Conceivable Meanings 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 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 heritagePerhaps to carry on in our predecessors’ footsteps, or to protect our heritage Perhaps to find peace and serenityPerhaps to find peace and serenity Any others?Any others?

16. Chaos!!! We’ve joked/observed throughout the unit that humans seem to gravitate towards chaos – that we complicate things unnecessarily, that we love questioningWe’ve joked/observed 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 allHowever, 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 doesThe very chaos that nihilists cite as reason to believe that none of this matters could very well be the reason everything does

17. The Star and Philosophy We began this semester by talking about the five points of a single star: enlightenment, independence, identity, security, and loveWe 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 areNone 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? And isn’t this question – about the meaning of life – really about the whole thing?And isn’t this question – about the meaning of life – really about the whole thing?

18. The Star and the Cube Life seems to be a wonderful, endlessly fascinating puzzle, like Wall-E’s Rubik’s Cube – full of trade-offs and mysteries to be solved, happiness to be won, and new frontiers to crossLife seems to be a wonderful, endlessly fascinating puzzle, like Wall-E’s Rubik’s Cube – full of trade-offs and mysteries to be solved, happiness to be won, and new frontiers to cross Our stories this semester dare to ask the questions we need to ask ourselves along the wayOur stories this semester dare to ask the questions we need to ask ourselves along the way If our dreams came true…would we be worthy? Would we be ready?If our dreams came true…would we be worthy? Would we be ready? If humanity is meant to improve, how can we get better without losing who we are?If humanity is meant to improve, how can we get better without losing who we are? I appreciate progress, treasure it, learn from it…but never settle for itI appreciate progress, treasure it, learn from it…but never settle for it If we’re going to build a better world, we can’t cheat when challenged by the cubeIf we’re going to build a better world, we can’t cheat when challenged by the cube So solve a puzzle, and start another…because life means more than 42So solve a puzzle, and start another…because life means more than 42