Faith Provides Life’s Meaning
In “Faith Provides Life’s Meaning,” Leo Tolstoy characterizes religious belief as to the relationships between the finite and infinite. The main argument is that genuine faith is the one that can single-handedly provide meaning for the possibility of life. Tolstoy argued that no matter how a person seeks to find a rational explanation for the purpose of life, faith alone supersedes all other mediums and options explored. While such an argument is understandable as human beings living on Earth had some irrational knowledge or faith, which made it possible for them to live and accept death, it has several flaws.
Tolstoy begins his analysis by reflecting on his personal experiences that prompted him to answer the question of what gives life purpose. At first, he thought that his family gave life meaning but then realized that they are only humans and are likely to experience similar existential crises. Art or poetry could have also provided meaning to life, but their impact was not as profound as he thought; instead, they were “adornments” of life (568). Searching for a rational answer, Tolstoy drew parallels to the feelings that a man lost in a forest may experience.
Thus, unable to find the answer, Tolstoy concluded that all knowledge that science possesses could not answer the question regarding life’s meaning. The answer to his question was always, “you are what you call your life; you are temporal, accidental conglomeration of particles. The interrelation, the change of these particles, produces that which you call life” (569). The obscurity, speculation, and the lack of clarity that rational knowledge provided prompted Tolstoy to seek the meaning of life in faith.
Having faith and belief in the all-powerful deity, according to Tolstoy, is the most acceptable and positive way of finding meaning in one’s life. All living humanity had specific irrational knowledge and faith that made it possible to live and accept one’s death due to the promise of eternal life after it. Regardless of the answers that faith gives, it provides a sense of understanding that cannot be destroyed by the negative things that occur in life. Consequently, by believing, people can find a meaning of life in faith alone.
The way in which Tolstoy has laid out his arguments for faith providing life suggests that those who do not believe in anything must then have no purpose or meaning to their existence. However, the long-standing philosophical tradition of humanism, which stretches back to Aristotle, provides ideas of truth, justice, hope, love, and compassion without involving the notions of God or religion. Besides, it is possible to have a purpose in life not based on faith but instead on experience.
While Tolstoy’s arguments may have been relevant during the writer’s lifetime and onward, the current state of society and the fast pace of scientific development make it so that people do not have to agree that faith is the only thing that gives purpose to their lives. By embracing the fact that life can be absurd and may end in various ways, it is possible to find one’s own meaning and purpose in life without relying on religious teachings. To different people, having a purpose in life means having a happy and fulfilled family, while to others, it means building a successful career by which they will be remembered. In such instances, faith is not imperative to find meaning and purpose in life.
Each Person Gives His Their Life Meaning
In “Each Person Gives His Own Life Meaning,” Albert Camus presents a bold argument that there is no meaning of life and one cannot make up one either. Therefore, according to the writer, it is impossible for people to find an acceptable and satisfying answer to the question regarding the meaning of life. Besides, he denies that any discipline, whether it is science or religion, should ever take it upon itself to create a meaning of life that can hold up against the issue of absurdity. It is hard not to agree with Camus’ argument because life is much more complex and multi-dimensional than religion or science makes it to be, and seeking explanations for some things may be counterproductive or unnecessary.
Camus’ argument is strongly associated with the idea of the absurd. According to him, human beings have the desire to find meaning in things where it does not exist, so they try to create it (Camus 576). However, the universe is quite indifferent to this quest, with people always finding themselves in absurd situations where attempts to find meaning fail. Thus, it is imperative to accept that life is meaningless and will always remain as such.
Suicide is an essential aspect of Camus’ argument as he suggests that it is a severe philosophical issue. He suggests that ending one’s life to escape its absurdity or fleeing from reality into religion or illusion is not the way out. Instead of trying to separate oneself from the absurd nature of life and meaninglessness, people should rather passionately embrace it and live it the way they want.
For Camus, the clear answer to the questions regarding life’s meaning is embracing the absurdity of the world and finding freedom in it. He writes, “I don’t know whether this world has a meaning that transcends it. […] What I believe to be true I must therefore preserve. What seems to me so obvious, even against me, I must support” (583). Thus, even though life is meaningless, it does not mean that people cannot enjoy it, adhere to their own opinions and beliefs, and be happy.
Camus’ argument is appealing because it shows that the meaninglessness of life is not bad. Instead, by agreeing that life is absurd, a person gets closer to being truly alive, acting in favor of one’s interests, desires, and dreams. The meaninglessness of life may also be seen as a background fact, like, for example, gravity. It can be reckoned with but ultimately dismissed as it has to impact decision-making and enjoyment of life.
What makes Camus’ perspective very interesting is that he suggests that people should not go into despair in the absence of the meaning of life. Seizing life’s beauty and the opportunities it gives to explore new things and find one’s calling. Therefore, it can be beneficial to agree that finding the meaning of life that can satisfy humanity’s need for one is impossible, but that should not be a problem. Billions of people still live on this planet and have every ability to enjoy themselves daily. Life is worth living, and it is crucial to embrace it as it is.
The Meaning of Life
In “The Meaning of Life,” Richard Taylor argues that the meaning of life implies pursuing activities that one wants to pursue and such that aligns with one’s nature, despite the ways a person has taken to get there. His approach to discussing life’s meaning is describing what it would be like for it to be meaningless and then comparing the picture of pointless to reality. According to Taylor, there is a strong sense in which life is precisely the paradigmatic meaninglessness that one envisions. This view will be supported further as Taylor’s idea is that there is also another sense, which is more profound and infuses life in its entirety.
Similar to Camus, Taylor recalls the myth of Sisyphus, who was cursed to roll a large rock up a hill, only to have it roll down, forcing him to repeat the same act over and over again. Taylor notes that this is the very image of meaninglessness – endlessly repeating the same task, which itself has no greater purpose or goal. A way in which Sisyphus’ life could have had meaning if his struggles meant that the rolled stones were used to build something. Also, if the hero of the myth enjoyed moving the rocks and not only liked doing that but also could imagine nothing else more pleasant.
In his argument, the philosopher suggests that all life as people know it is much like the life of the mythological character. Whether approached from the broader scope or an individual level, life can be seen as a succession of struggles and attempts that lead to nothing, with the only thing that occurs is the cycle’s repetition. Since there is no endpoint to which the efforts are directed, which can represent meaning, people’s lives are meaningless.
However, Taylor states that there is no need to get discouraged about the fact that life has no meaning. He writes, “the meaning of life is from within us, it is not bestowed from without, and it far exceeds in both its beauty and performance any heaven of which [people] have ever dreamed or yearned for” (Taylor 8). In fact, it is the choice of every person to project meaning onto their own lives through embracing the challenges that take place in life, even if nothing lasting or fulfilling is being accomplished.
In support of Taylor’s argument, which is similar to that put forth by Albert Camus, it is notable that the idea of a meaningless existence should not be opposed due to its potential negative implications. Rather, it is possible to celebrate life because of its meaninglessness and the opportunities to create meaning for oneself. If people can have a tight grasp a clear understanding of a meaningless existence, then they can take steps toward coping with the issue and make life what they want it to be.
The idea that life is what a person makes of it is inspiring, and there is no sense in getting discouraged if it has no meaning. It is much more important to do what one loves doing and find value in it either for oneself or society. No one else besides a person themselves can dictate what life should be, which is quite liberating and eye-opening. Thus, Taylor’s argument provides freedom to people to approach the meaning of life from their individual standpoints.
Works Cited
Camus, Albert. “Each Person Gives His Own Life Meaning.” The Meaning of Life, edited by […], Publisher, Year of Publication, pp. 575-584.
Taylor, Richard. “The Meaning of Life.” Rintintin.colorado.edu, 1970, Web.
Tolstoy, Leo. “Faith Provides Life’s Meaning.” The Meaning of Life, edited by […], Publisher, Year of Publication, pp. 564-574.