Table of Contents
1. The “So What?” Question
2. The Meaning of Life
3. Related Posts
1. The “So What?” Question
The “So what?” question is the most useful question in life.
It efficiently removes all the fog1bullshitin the meaning of anything—reveals whether something that seems consequential really is.
“I need to go to work.” So what?
“So I don’t get fired.” So what?
“So I make money.” So what?
…
Life is full of misconceptions about things that seem (or “obviously”) important: being informed with the state of affairs, having a work-life balance, discipline, etc.
Knowledge2—thus, truthis acquired through correcting errors.
.
2. The Meaning of Life
Read slowly…
When one asks the question, “What’s the meaning of life?”, many answers attempt to satisfy the questioner—to love, to create, to serve god, to leave a mark in this world…none of which are quite satisfying.
All these answers may be true. Yet, something’s missing.
The meaning of life is the most important question in life. It must be—because every meaning in life has to do with the meaning of life. Finding the answer must be transformational—because it must change the perception of every instance of life.
Often the answer digresses into “there is no meaning of life” This, also, may be true. Yet, it isn’t transformational.
.
You may have noticed that all these answers start with “to…”
Therein lies the problem: none of the answers actually answer the question.
Well, what is the question asking?
“What is life?” Not quite. Whether life is a creation of God, or some simulation, or whatever…is meaningless on its own terms.
The question is actually paradoxical: meaning, by its nature, is a product of substance; meaning is significance. And there’s no substance beyond reality.
“So, there is no meaning of life?” No. That statement is meaningless on its own terms. It cannot be the truth.
.
“What’s the meaning of life?” isn’t the real question.
When one asks the question, “What’s the meaning of life?”, the real question being asked is…
“What should I live for?”
.
Thus, all answers are subject to the “So What?” question.
That’s the path toward the true answer.
.
Finiteness of Life
The finiteness of life doesn’t give life meaning…but it creates urgency: to do something now than later.
Death isn’t really a problem. It’s nothingness. It’s zero.
“Incoming nothingness” can’t be a problem if life has no meaning. If there’s no more to offer, you’d die voluntarily…or not; they’re the same.
Death creates urgency in life because life has meaning. Not backwards.
.
Passing on Genes
Having children, and raising children almost automatically gives people a sense of meaning.
Well, it indeed is truly meaningful. It’s the only meaning people had for generations; the only meaning animals ever have.
So meaningful that it leaves happiness incomplete.
.
3. Related Posts
Questions & comments are welcome!
1 thought on “Meaning of Life”