No one knows what the meaning of life is, but we can find out what the act of giving meaning to life entails, namely by examining how people in different times and cultures have given purpose and meaning to their existence.
The question "What is the act of giving meaning to life?" can therefore be empirically investigated, but the question "What is the meaning of life?" cannot.
In other words, we can investigate the question "WHAT do people do to give meaning to their life". You can choose for a religion, you can focus your whole existence on supporting your community, etc.
Nevertheless the question "What is the meaning of life?" has been the dominatig question through the ages, probably because so many people are hungry for an answer.
But the other question is so fascinating: "How do you do that, giving meaning to your life?" We can call that forms of meaning-making. You may be aware of it, but we grew up with it.
Look at the parent and his toddler. He points to an animal and says "cow". Pointing is a form of meaning-making, or someone asks "What does that word mean?" and you give a definition. Also a form of meaning-making.
A general assupmption is that you need religion to get to a meaning of life. However, through the ages there have been people that rejected religion as a meaningful thing.
In our project on Materialism we already encountered Lokayata/Charvaka, a materialist movement in India around 2500 B.C., that rejected all ideas of trancendency or the existence of spiritual entities.
In this project we will be dealing with three themes. The first is: How have people in the present and the past, here and elsewhere, given purpose and meaning to their existence?
The second theme is the question: Are there patterns and deeper principles in forms of meaning-making?
If we find patterns, you can ask yourself whether they are biological, cultural or otherwise in nature and whether a common denominator can be found.
And the third theme will be the question: Does this knowledge of meaning-making help to find the best form of meaning-making to my life?
It is of course true that many forms of meaning come more or less by chance on our path in life.
Only afterwards do we realize that we have embraced them intuitively, such as entering into a relationship or having children, which for centuries was not a conscious choice, but something that happened to people or was even forced upon them.
But from the moment that we become aware of questions such as 'Why am I here?' and 'What am I doing it for?' we can try to make the wisest possible choice from the many forms of meaning that the world has to offer.
Thank you for your attention again...
Main Sources:
MacMillan The Encyclopedia of Philosophy, 2nd edition
TABLE OF CONTENT -----------------------------------------------------------------
1 - 100 Philosophers 9 May 2009 Start of
2 - 25+ Women Philosophers 10 May 2009 this blog
3 - 25 Adventures in Thinking 10 May 2009
4 - Modern Theories of Ethics 29 Oct 2009
5 - The Ideal State 24 Febr 2010 / 234
6 - The Mystery of the Brain 3 Sept 2010 / 266
7 - The Utopia of the Free Market 16 Febr 2012 / 383
8. - The Aftermath of Neo-liberalism 5 Sept 2012 / 413
9. - The Art Not to Be an Egoist 6 Nov 2012 / 426
10 - Non-Western Philosophy 29 May 2013 / 477
11 - Why Science is Right 2 Sept 2014 / 534
12 - A Philosopher looks at Atheism 1 Jan 2015 / 557
13 - EVIL, a philosophical investigation 17 Apr 2015 / 580
14 - Existentialism and Free Will 2 Sept 2015 / 586
15 - Spinoza 2 Sept 2016 / 615
16 - The Meaning of Life 13 Febr 2017 / 637
17 - In Search of my Self 6 Sept 2017 / 670
18 - The 20th Century Revisited 3 Apr 2018 / 706
19 - The Pessimist 11 Jan 2020 / 819
20 - The Optimist 9 Febr 2020 / 824
21 - Awakening from a Neoliberal Dream 8 Oct 2020 / 872
22 - A World Full of Patterns 1 Apr 2021 / 912
23 - The Concept of Freedom 8 Jan 2022 / 965
24 - Materialism 7 Sept 2022 / 1011
25 - Historical Materialism 5 Oct 2023 / 1088
26 - The Bonobo and the Atheist 9 Jan 2024 / 1102
27 - Artificial Intelligence 9 Feb 2024 / 1108
28 - Why Am I Here 6 Sept 2024 / 1139
[13:13] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): Thank you Herman
[13:13] herman Bergson: So we are going to find out what the world has to offer us :-)
[13:15] Max Chatnoir: I think that humans are pattern-detectors, and trying to make sense of experience is what keeps us going.
[13:15] herman Bergson: For me, the most interesting part is the question if there is a common denominator?
[13:15] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): I know what have given my life meaning today, Good work day., good achievements in this competition I'm in this month. Doing some successful photos and painting just now.
[13:15] herman Bergson: I did a whole project on that them, Max
[13:15] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): That is what have kept me going this day
[13:16] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): otherwise in general friends, love etc
[13:16] Max Chatnoir: I'll have to look for it, Herman!
[13:16] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): and being happy in general, that is what gives my life meaning
[13:17] herman Bergson: But suppose your happiness breaks down, bejiita....bye bye happiness....what then?
[13:17] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but indeed, what IS the meaning of life?
[13:17] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm indeed
[13:17] herman Bergson: There is that idea....some people have...
[13:18] herman Bergson: there must be more than just my job or daily routine to life
[13:18] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ah, well there is something deeper for sure
[13:18] herman Bergson: makes me think....
[13:19] herman Bergson: I lived the happiest life with my wife...it was so good and in harmony...
[13:19] herman Bergson: and then she died 10 months ago....
[13:20] herman Bergson: What is the meaning of life here?
[13:20] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm that was a heavy hit for you for sure!
[13:20] Max Chatnoir: Well, I think that some people are fairly challenged in just staying alive. finding food, shelter, escaping danger, etc.
[13:20] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): when things like that happens
[13:20] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed Max
[13:21] herman Bergson: yes...and you have to live on.....
[13:22] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm true
[13:22] Sooki (sookicatalina): Every individual’s concept of meaning in life is going to be shaped by their personal experiences, values, and beliefs. And so it will probably change and evolves over time as well.
[13:22] Max Chatnoir: And you find that a lot of people care about you and want to help you do it.
[13:22] herman Bergson: But don't worry, I have recovered from the blow already to some extend
[13:22] herman Bergson: That is the point Sooki....
[13:23] bergfrau Apfelbaum: for me, it makes sense to create something that will last, for posterity. Not just for children, but also for example a Tiffany lamp or a door glazing. You have written a book, and soon a second one :-)
[13:23] herman Bergson: Is it a completely individual thing or do we have something in common as species, as mankind?
[13:24] herman Bergson: I did Bergie, the second one will be published November 8 :-)
[13:24] Max Chatnoir: We have a lot in common. All humans are very closely related to one another. We must experience life in similar ways.
[13:25] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaa
[13:25] herman Bergson: We love the belief that indeed Max..... there is always that possibility of relativism and what to do with that?
[13:25] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): I like also doing artwork, photography ect, thats also what fuels my interest in game development, it is interactive art
[13:26] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): + all kinds of them
[13:26] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): in one
[13:26] Sooki (sookicatalina): We all seek to have joy and satisfaction...I think.
[13:26] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): true, thats the common state I say we all want to be in
[13:26] Max Chatnoir: There is a lot of world to discover and to understand.
[13:27] herman Bergson: Sounds easy, Sooki, but what brings joy and satisfaction?
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): stuff u like...
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): people u likelove
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): /
[13:27] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well i guess it is more complex then that but
[13:27] herman Bergson: I mean....you end up in a complex discourse when you wonder what joy and satisfaction will mean to a sadist, for instance
[13:28] Sooki (sookicatalina): Well that's going to vary by each human, but the fact that we all have that basic need is a pattern I guess.
[13:28] Max Chatnoir: I think we enjoy finding commonalities with other people.
[13:28] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): yes, and to get to that we do different things like i counted up what has made me happy and satisfied today
[13:28] herman Bergson: Well, in previous projects we have seenn such patterns indeed with bonobo apes
[13:29] Max Chatnoir: And sharing the pleasure that we take in what we enjoy.
[13:29] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaa yes
[13:29] herman Bergson: I even have seen it with dogs
[13:30] Max Chatnoir: I recently acquired a new cat, and it has been fun to watch her socialize with the current residents.
[13:30] herman Bergson: Some dogs are really "offended" and behave so when they get a smaller reward for doing some trick than th eother dog for the same trick :-)
[13:31] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): maybe there is no meaning in life..except that we just are...
[13:32] bergfrau Apfelbaum: it definitely makes sense to come to Herman's classes :-)
[13:32] herman Bergson: to be honest...that is more or less my feeling too Beertje
[13:32] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): :))
[13:33] herman Bergson: In that you MAKE meaning to your life , Bergie :-)
[13:33] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): aaah
[13:34] Sooki (sookicatalina): Especially if you are a person who does not subscribe to a religion, then the idea that we make our own meaning becomes stronger
[13:34] herman Bergson: Well, it is interesting to investigate how homo sapiens does it....creating a meaning to his life
[13:34] herman Bergson: Yes Sooki, religion is in this context an interesting player.
[13:35] Max Chatnoir: Unfortunately it can become a major source of conflict.
[13:36] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i say religion mostly only cause suffering and repression like sex is a sin, homosexuality is a sin, repression of women and such
[13:36] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): nothing good have come out of it really
[13:36] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): i say just be and be happy
[13:36] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): if it now was that simple
[13:36] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm
[13:36] herman Bergson: That is too easy Bejiita...
[13:36] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well i say love is my religion if anything
[13:37] herman Bergson: In the Middle Ages religion, that is the church of Rome, has saved Europe by developing a good system of education
[13:37] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): well education is important for sure
[13:38] Max Chatnoir: But that education was fairly restricted, wasn't it?
[13:38] herman Bergson: In the 19 century nuns opened hospitals and schools for everyone...
[13:38] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ok there are some good parts to it
[13:38] Max Chatnoir: I mean, it wasn't meant for everybody until much later.
[13:38] Sooki (sookicatalina): Religion seeks to answer the existential question that we are addressing, and for that reason is a great comfort and a guide to many people.
[13:39] herman Bergson: It dealt with astronomy. mathematics, logic, philosophy, and of course theology too, Max
[13:39] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): the issue with religion is the belief in the supernatural
[13:39] Max Chatnoir: Yes, religion can foster community, but it can also draw "us" and "them" lines.
[13:39] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): indeed
[13:39] herman Bergson: There you see how difficult it is to find a meaning of life and a way how to create one
[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): seems easy on the surface but indeed when u go on the deep...
[13:40] bergfrau Apfelbaum: religion is something for the home. as private as picking your nose..... in public it creates division and hatred
[13:40] Max Chatnoir: I guess the trick is not to create meanings that counter each other.
[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): true indeed bergie
[13:40] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): at least thats often the case what i have seen
[13:41] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but its also a compex subject
[13:41] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): things are always more complex then they seem
[13:41] herman Bergson: Makes me think of the presidential elections in the US at the moment....that is a real existential event regarding the meaning of (American) life, I'd say
[13:41] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): true
[13:41] Max Chatnoir: I'm afraid so, Herman.
[13:42] Max Chatnoir: A good example of counter communities.
[13:42] herman Bergson: I am really nervous about it, and worried
[13:42] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): hmm seems messy
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): have not checked so much because this TURF contest takes all my time and energy mostly, i made it so i had time for this class now
[13:43] Max Chatnoir: Yay, Bejiita!
[13:43] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): but ofthen when i get home im so tired i just fall asleep
[13:43] herman Bergson: One party claims: the meaning of life is ME, the other party claims that the meaning of life is The People
[13:44] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ego vs non ego
[13:44] Max Chatnoir: So how do we negotiate counterclaims?
[13:44] Max Chatnoir: When you're dealing with physical phenomena, you can do experiments, but experimenting with social realities can be scary.
[13:45] herman Bergson: This is becoming to complex, Max....we could discuss this for hours
[13:45] Max Chatnoir: Never boring around here!
[13:45] herman Bergson smiles
[13:46] herman Bergson: But yet time to put our brains to rest and prepare for the next lecture :-)
[13:46] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): ㋡
[13:46] herman Bergson: So, thank you all again...
[13:46] .: Beertje :. (beertje.beaumont): thank you Herman
[13:46] herman Bergson: Class dismissed..
[13:46] Max Chatnoir: Thank you Herman, and all of you.
[13:46] Particle Physicist Bejiita (bejiita.imako): YAY! (yay!)
