Throughout the millennia, there are countless stories of men and women who have spent their lives searching for the meaning of life. However, is this a worthwhile pursuit or a waste of time?
Let us suppose that there is a meaning of life. If it cannot be discovered after hours, days, weeks, months or even years of searching, is it worth taking the time to do so? In effect, does the possible answer merit the search?
It would be hard to find anyone over the age of 10 that has not once wondered why they exist. It seems though that most people either accept an already posited answer to the meaning of life, generally from a theological or philosophical tradition. For some though, it may make more sense to contemplate the subject, find it unanswerable, and then move on to other pursuits.
It is also worth considering if the meaning of life is important on a personal or a grand scale. “What is my meaning of life?” is a very different question than “What is the meaning of all of this?” Then again, does either question matter? Would knowledge of the meaning of life change all that much in your life? Certainly the consensus of most accepted meanings given so far has been that your purpose is to live a good life. This may vary depending on the religious leader or philosopher you subscribe to, but this is a very common theme. The search for the meaning of life does not seem to be critical to this idea. Instead, it seems to be built on the search for comfort for you and your family in this life.
There are many people who live good, virtuous, happy lives without spending time contemplating the meaning of it all. To be a good person, to be happy, to love and be loved – all of these are worthwhile pursuits that may actually satisfy the tenets of some philosophies unintentionally.
No comments yet.