[ExI] The meaning of life? Let's solve this together, once and for all! ; )

[William Flynn Wallace]

Given human's infinite capacity for self-aggrandizement, people will invent
meanings flattering them.  Successes will be exaggerated; failures will be
rationalized.  Just the usual BS. billw

On Wed, Sep 27, 2023 at 4:19 PM efc--- via extropy-chat <
extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org> wrote:

> Good evening everyone,
>
> Let's solve this together, once and for all! ;)
>
> When it comes to the meaning of life, I believe that it cannot be found as
> an
> object in the world, and I do not believe that it is something that can be
> told
> which would instantly create meaning. I think that meaning is deeply
> personal
> and it is something which has to be experienced and lived in order to
> express
> and feel it.
>
> The meaning I am talking about is a deep seated, fundamental meaning that
> brings you peace as an individual.
>
> But, I also believe there are different levels of meaning, and although it
> has
> been criticized, as an approximate framework to talk within, I kind of like
> Maslows pyramid of needs. We have a need for life, a drive to live, for
> safety,
> food, etc. On top of that we have our everyday meaning, we need to feel
> wanted
> and that we produce something. I believe for instance, that the human body
> was
> made for input and output. If you starve the input, or starve the output,
> you'll create an imbalance that will impact your psychological health.
>
> So looking at positive psychology, I think we have some pointers and tools
> to
> give us a good foundation for worldly meaning. Add to that, a pinch of
> stoicism
> and epicureanism, and you can, with a bit of skill, create a nice
> philosophical
> "mind castle" for yourself that does away with fear of death and other such
> things.
>
> But for me, that is not Meaning with a capital m. All the previous levels
> in
> Maslows pyramid contribute to a good life, but at the top with have the
> mystical self-actualization, and I am somewhat attracted to the earth (or
> universe) shattering realizations of a union with the universe that the
> mystics
> talk about.
>
> That might be a peak, and on the road to that peak, you can have deep
> seated
> ethical and moral feelings such as doctors when it comes to the sanctity of
> life, and saving lives, that give a deep meaning to your life. But just
> telling
> the would-be doctor that it is nice to save lives, is not enough. The
> meaning
> for the doctor is created when he is performing his function.
>
> When it does come to the lighter kind of philosophical meaning, I am very
> fond
> of epicureanism with the understanding that it talks about long-term
> sustainable pleasure. But it could be argued, that peak mystical
> experiences
> are aligned with that philosophy, since a deep seated, fully realized
> meaning
> does bring you long-term sustainable pleasure so epicureanism can
> be deeper than it looks at first sight. Actually, I'm not fond of the
> word pleasure since I think brings with it bad connotations and
> associations.
> Perhaps contentment might be better? You're the english speaking pros, so
> I'm
> certain you'll be able to nail it down to a better word. =)
>
> So with that said, what do you all think about the meaning of life?
>
> Best regards,
> Daniel
>
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