In the short essay “Meaning in Life”, Susan Wolf discusses subjective and objective dimensions of meaning, and how these dimensions contribute to a person’s life being either meaningful or meaningless. Specifically, Wolf defines the subjective element as “active engagement”, and the objective one as “projects of worth” (Klemke &Cahn, 2008, p. 205). According to Wolf, active engagement implies being excited, passionate, and involved into something that a person considers satisfying in some way. Projects of worth, on the other hand, imply “a commitment to some sort of objective value”, i.e. the value one’s activities have for the world and other people (Klemke &Cahn, 2008, p. 206). Wolf considers it essential for a person’s sense of meaningfulness in their life that these two components of meaning meet.
To convey the importance of the combination of these dimensions of meaning, Wolf suggests a certain slogan. She claims that people can feel that their lives are truly meaningful only when they are “actively engaged in the projects of worth” (Klemke &Cahn, 2008, p. 205). For example, if a person is actively engaged in something that has no ultimate value or worthiness, they will not feel that their life has meaning. The same would apply to those who are doing something worthwhile for the world or other people without actually enjoying it.
Wolf’s position seems reasonable to me, mainly because I have had similar reflections about meaning in life. I think she is right to claim that a meaningful life should comprise both subjective and objective elements of meaning. I do believe that only if an activity is both enjoyable and useful for the world in some way, can it make someone’s life meaningful. It has to be mentioned that the objective “value” of the activity does not have to be ambitious or even noticeable. Many people would claim that certain activities they consider enjoyable do not have any value to the world. Despite this, I still strongly believe a closer look will allow finding both objective value and satisfaction in any activity that makes someone’s life meaningful.
Reference
Klemke, E. D., & Cahn, S. M. (2008). The meaning of life: A reader (4th ed.). Oxford University Press, USA.