When it comes down to it, the meaning of life is something that is different for everyone — here’s the meaning of life’s meaning!
-
Kevin
-
April 18, 2022
-
Common Questions
Your writing, at its best
Compose bold, clear, mistake-free, writing with Grammarly's AI-powered writing assistant
If there is something (almost) all human beings can agree on, it’s that life has meaning. However, we can’t seem to agree on what that meaning actually is. People search for this core sense of meaning for their whole life, sometimes never finding an answer that satisfies them.
Humankind’s search for meaning is one of the most defining traits of humanity, yet it still is one of the least understood aspects of living in the world today.
While we might not be able to give you the answer as to the purpose of life in one blog post, we can help you get on your way to finding it. There are many things that make life worth living, but finding those things for yourself is one of the most important ways to get the answers you’re seeking.
If you’re looking for a more meaningful existence in your everyday life, here are some ideas and philosophies that you can look into.
Is There Really a Meaning to Life?
The first thing to ask yourself is if there really is a meaning to life. For some people who fall under the philosophies of existentialism and nihilism, life is actually based on meaninglessness.
Philosophers like Immanuel Kant, Viktor Frankl, Friedrich Nietzsche, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Albert Camus brought this mindset on the meaning of life (or lack thereof). It’s based on the idea that humanity occurred essentially due to random actions, and because there is no god or divine figure to dictate excellent and evil, everyone lives a meaningless life.
This existentialist philosophy of life fundamentally looks at life as absurd and full of angst. These people tend to believe that the meaning of the good life is to maximize one’s well-being while they are alive because there are no natural consequences.
Religion and the Meaning of Life
One of the most popular ways that people answer the question of “what is the meaning of life” is through religion, from Christianity to Buddhism to Islam. In most religions, the meaning of life is to follow their god’s purpose in their own life. This stoic commitment to abiding by the will of their divine leader is one of the most essential motivators in a person’s life and informs many of their decisions.
Many people around the world embrace religion because they find truth inside it. Many religious beliefs offer solutions to people’s problems, which enables them to find peace and happiness in their lives. If you’re looking for a purpose in your life, learning about divine and supernatural things is something you can look into. Investing time to look into a local church or other houses of worship may provide the answers you’re seeking.
Philosophy
While existentialism is one of the most infamous views on the meaning of life, many other schools of philosophy deal with the meaning of life, too. From ancient philosophers like Aristotle and Socrates to more modern thinkers like Thaddeus Metz and Leo Tolstoy, many philosophers and great thinkers have dynamic views on life. Some people choose to minimize it to neuroscience, positive psychology, or coherence, while others believe that moral upstandingness is found in other places.
At the end of the day, everyone follows a philosophy of life, regardless of whether they actively think about it. Often, the most significant difference between successful and unsuccessful people is whether or not they have enough self-awareness to know what they actually believe. A lot of this knowledge of oneself can come from counseling, therapy, and other mental health professions that can aid a person in understanding their own base desires and needs. Learning how to understand oneself and balance their own needs with the good of others can help when looking for the meaning of life.
Agnosticism
While some people have evident knowledge of the meaning of life, the reality is that there are some people who don’t know and are okay with that. This is the foundation of agnosticism — the ability to live in the tension of not knowing the meaning of life. If you don’t see what you want out of life or why you exist, the odds are good that you are agnostic. Many people choose to live this way throughout their lives, which is an acceptable way to live.
Other people in this subsection of philosophy believe that truth in and of itself is entirely subjective and that it can be different for everyone. While this is a belief that can offend many people who have more confidence in what they believe, it is something that has become more and more popular over time. In many western cultures, this belief in subjectivity is one of the most popular beliefs.
At the end of the day, looking for the meaning of life is absolutely critical and is something every person should do for themselves. Take a look at your life as it happens, and embrace the parts of yourself that make sense to you!
Conclusion
If you are looking to increase your own personal quality of life, one of the best ways to do that is by increasing your ability to communicate with others! That’s precisely why The Word Counter exists — to be a resource for people looking to better themselves in new ways. If you want to expand your effectiveness in life, feel free to check out our blog on our website so that you can learn more about how to make use of the English language!
Sources:
