Life's Meaning

What is life’s meaning?

Your task is to find a song that addresses this question. You are then to analyze what you take to be the central point of the song. What is the song writer trying to say about the meaning of life?

Examples

ChatGPT seems to think the following songs are examples:

  1. “What’s It All About, Alfie?” by Dionne Warwick Originally from the movie “Alfie”, this song asks directly about the meaning of life, prompted by the film’s story of a man who leads a self-centered life.

  2. “Let It Be” by The Beatles A song inspired by Paul McCartney’s dream about his mother during a tense period. It suggests an acceptance of life as it is and finding solace in moments of trouble.

  3. “The Meaning of Life” by Monty Python From the comedy troupe’s film of the same name, this song humorously addresses the question of life’s meaning.

  4. “Dust in the Wind” by Kansas A reflective song that uses the metaphor of dust in the wind to describe the transient nature of life.

Some that I could think of include:

  1. I Got a Car by George Strait. Strait suggests that good friends are all that one needs.
  2. Rich and Sad by Post Malone. Malone doesn’t necessarily need friends plural, but rather just one friend friend in particular.

Some papers that we read inference possible answers to this question include:

Mill’s Utilitarianism:

All acts are directed towards some end. This end is happiness.

As such, it seems that the meaning of life is to pursue happiness.

Aristotle’s Nicomachean Ethics

Doesn’t think that anyone would choose to live without friends.

Rosalind Hursthouse’s Virtue Theory and Abortion:

  • An action is right iff it is one that would be performed by the virtuous agent.

  • The virtuous agent is the one who has the traits and dispositions necessary to live a fulfilling life

She later considers the question about motherhood giving one’s life meaning.

If we are to go on to talk about good human lives, in the context of abortion, we have to bring in our thoughts about the value of love and family life, and our proper emotional development through a natural life cycle. The familiar facts support the view that parenthood in general, and motherhood and childbearing in particular, are intrinsically worth-while, are among the things that can be correctly thought to be partially constitutive of a flourishing human life. ’4 If this is right, then a woman who opts for not being a mother (at all, or again, or now) by opting for abortion may thereby be manifesting a flawed grasp of what her life should be, and be about-a grasp that is childish, or grossly materialistic, or shortsighted, or shallow

But this statement seems to suggest that what it means to have a good life, or what gives a life meaning are such values as love, family life etc, and that they can only be realized in the context of motherhood. But what about the doctor who serves in the organization doctors without borders? She largely serves in politically unstable countries and so would not be able to safely take care of a child while serving in such areas. She is realizing the values of love and family life, although not traditional but every bit as real.

Rand’s Man’s Rights.:

Is pursuing one’s own happiness a necessary component of finding meaning in life?

Aquinas on law:

For Aquinas, the human law is human kind’s participation in the Divine Law, a law that comes from a ruler who governs a perfect community.

First, because it is by law that man is directed how to perform his proper acts in view of his last end.

The following are some questions you may ask yourself

E.g., what do you find valuable, what is important to you, what makes an action significant beyond an immediate context? Which actions can you point to, that have had lasting ramifications for your life? Which actions can you attribute to each new event and circumstance? Birth? Education? A singular moment of clarity?

Some draw distinctions between meaningfulness and significance however:

Singer 1996, 112-18; Belliotti 2019, 145-50, 186.

Is a meaningless life one that is absurd? Nagel 1970; 1986; 214-23. What about the question itself? One may very well think “who cares?”

Consider the following thought experiment:

You are in a hospital surrounded by expensive equipment. Your child is lying in the bed, sick. Do you think “one day, the sun will supernova and all this (gesturing to the equipment and your daughter) will be over. What’s the point to it all?” No you do not, you only care about your daughter getting well. As such, it would seem that the question itself is absurd.

Is there something about human nature that can attribute meaning to life, or exhibit meaning in life? Think of mother Teresa, Ghandi, Martin Luther and Martin Luther King. Perhaps there is no meaning to life and so individuals such as these create their own meaning.

Some other questions that arise when thinking about the meaning of life, can include what we find beautiful about life, what is good, what truths can be found in life?

rect and/or relevant ones. The connections between the parts are completely inaccurate. 4 Synthesis The paper successfully integrates all relevant parts from various places into a coherent whole. The connections between the parts are clear and insightful. The paper integrates most relevant parts from various places into a mostly coherent whole. The connections between the parts are generally clear. The paper integrates some parts from various places into a somewhat coherent whole. The connections between the parts are somewhat unclear. The parts to be integrated are not clear and/or relevant. The connections between the parts are unclear. 4 Evaluation NULL Argument The paper evaluates the argument in question by checking for adherence to various standards (validity, soundness, etc.), and checking for informal fallacies. The paper suggests how the argument could be made better according to the appropriate standard. The paper evaluates the argument in question by checking for adherence to various standards (validity, soundness, etc.), and checking for informal fallacies. The paper evaluates the argument in question by checking only the truth of the premises and/or the conclusion, and does not check for informal fallacies. The paper evaluates the argument in question by whether the author agrees or disagrees with the conclusion or a premise. 4 Position The paper evaluates the position in question by checking for support in an argument and internal consistency, and by exploring unmentioned plausible alternatives. The paper evaluates the position in question by checking for support in an argument and internal consistency. The paper evaluates the position in question by considering its plausibility. The paper evaluates the position in question by whether the author agrees or disagrees with it. 4 Creation NULL Thesis Thesis is original, interesting, and relevant. The thesis is interesting and relevant. The thesis is slightly off-topic, obviously true (or false), or not really worth writing about. The thesis is totally irrelevant. 4 Examples Examples are original, relevant, insightful, and well-used. Examples are original, relevant, and well-used. Examples are unoriginal, only somewhat relevant, and/or not well-used. Examples are missing, irrelevant an/or misused. 4 Alternative Positions Previously unmentioned alternative positions are explored. Alternative positions are explored. Alternative positions are mentioned but not explored. Alternative positions are ignored. 4 STYLE NULL Clarity All sentences are complete and grammatical. All words are chosen for their precise meanings. All new or unusual terms are well-defined. Key concepts and theories are accurately and completely explained. Good, clear examples are used to illuminate concepts and issues. Information (names, facts, etc.) is accurate. Paper has been spell-checked and proofread, and has no errors, and no rhetorical questions or slang. All sentences are complete and grammatical. Most words are chosen for their precise meanings. Most new or unusual terms are well-defined. Key concepts and theories are explained. Examples are clear. Information (names, facts, etc.) is accurate. Paper has been spell-checked and proofread, and has very few errors, and no rhetorical questions or slang. A few sentences are incomplete and/or ungrammatical. Words are not chosen for their precise meanings. New or unusual terms are not well-defined. Key concepts and theories are not explained. Examples are not clear. Information (names, facts, etc.) is mostly accurate. Paper has several spelling errors, rhetorical questions and/or uses of slang. Many sentences are incomplete and/or ungrammatical. The author does not acknowledge that key words have precise meanings. Information (names, facts, etc.) is inaccurate. Paper has many spelling errors, rhetorical questions and/or uses of slang. 4 NULL Organization Score Introduction Thesis is clear, and contained in the introduction. The topic is introduced with minimal fanfare. It is made clear how the paper will get to this conclusion, not in a detailed outline of the paper, but rather in a concise summary of the steps in argument. Thesis is contained in the introduction. The topic is introduced with little fanfare. It is generally clear how the paper will get to this conclusion, not in a detailed outline of the paper, but rather in a description of the steps in argument. Thesis is not contained in the introduction. The topic is introduced with too much fanfare. The flow of the paper is described as an outline, and not as a description of the steps in argument. Only the topic is introduced, with no description of the paper. Or, the paper is described inaccurately. 4 Body It is very easy to follow the argument. It is made explicit which claims are being used as premises, and how these premises are supposed to support the thesis. New premises are each introduced in new paragraphs or sections. If there are sub-arguments, it is made explicit which argument is the main one, and which are the secondary ones. It is generally easy to follow the argument. It is clear which claims are being used as premises, and how these premises are supposed to support the thesis. Usually, new premises are introduced in new paragraphs or sections. If there are sub-arguments, it is clear which argument is the main one, and which are the secondary ones. It is somewhat difficult to follow the argument. It is somewhat unclear which claims are being used as premises, and/or how these premises are supposed to support the thesis. Separate premises are lumped together in the same paragraphs or sections. If there are sub-arguments, it is not clear which argument is the main one, and which are the secondary ones. It is impossible to follow the argument. It is completely unclear which claims are being used as premises. It is completely unclear how the premises are supposed to support the thesis. Premises are discussed randomly, or not at all. There seem to be many arguments, and it is completely unclear which is the main one. 4 Conclusion The paper uses the conclusion to tie up loose ends. For example, the paper considers objections to the argument to which it is acknowledged there is no space or expertise to respond. Or, the paper briefly considers the implications of the acceptance of the conclusion for a larger argument, or for a larger issue or problem. Or the paper explains what further work may need to be done in this area. The paper uses the conclusion to tie up some loose ends, but combines this with a restatement of the introduction. The conclusion is merely a restatement of the introduction. The conclusion is missing. 4 Total Out of 192 Possible 100 NULL

Here are some example ways in which you might approach this assignment.

What is life’s meaning?

Some of us often ask the question “What is the meaning of life?” While the rest of us may think that this question is nonsensical in the context of more immediate concerns, the question itself is pervasive throughout popular media. We often see it in romantic coming of age films especially. The sunrise franchises with Ethan Hawke and Julie Delpy; Love at First Sight with Haley Lu Richardson and Ben Hardy. Perhaps we might not find this at all surprising. Maybe it just is the case that when assessing someone as a potential life partner, we want to know what that person places value in. Would they find me valuable when I’ve put on some pounds? When I am sick? What if I say something stupid online and immediately regret it? Will this person leave me when I am at my most vulnerable? What about when I am suffering prenatal and postpartum depression, or post-traumatic stress?

As such, when asking the question “What is the meaning of life?”, but in a romantic context, we are really asking “what do you find valuable?”, “what is important to you?”, “what makes an action significant beyond an immediate context For you?” These are important questions because we want to know what drives someone, especially someone whom we allow ourselves to be vulnerable to.

I too wanted to explore possible expressions of this line of inquiry in popular media. While there are many avenues available here, movies; Broadway plays and musicals; periodicals, etc., I thought it would be interesting to look at the least formal expression of it, namely popular music. One song in particular may be helpful in understanding how this question is treated in popular music. Burt Bacharach and Hal David wrote the song What’s it all for?/Alfie for the movie Alvie released August 1966. Based on a previous play of the same name, the song and movie centers around an individual named Alfie, a man who avoids becoming committed to anyone person, treating the relationships in his life as only of practical importance. Facing his own death due to a cancerous tumor, he finds himself asking the narrative’s title: “What’s it all for?” Alfie shows us what’s at stake in the context of courtship and other forms of strong relational ties.

These questions are not only important in the context of courtship however. Rather, outside such contexts, we often obscure them in the language of values. In fact, values talk shows us that this question is not only important in a modern western sense. For individuals from cultures that value family, it is these relationships which give meaning to one’s life. The answer to the above question then would be family. Other cultures find value in abstract ideals such as justice, fairness, and individual rights. Individuals from cultures like these may even place themselves into positions of hardship to protect these rights for others. They may travel to other countries under the pretense of securing these rights for those who do not have them, adopting for themselves a life’s meaning centered on the pursuit of liberty and justice for the least fortunate.

Looking at the informal expression of the question as represented in popular music, may obscure it somewhat. When analyzing any question, it is helpful and useful to explore it systematically. While it is nice to look at informal settings for expressions of various questions, to look at them critically, it is important to do so with formal investigative methods. Philosopher’s of most cultures have often provided plausible and implausible answers.

For instance, consider Rosalind Hursthouse’s Virtue Theory and Abortion. If we take Alfie’s womanizing behaviors as the morally behavioral failures they are, we might ask ourselves according to which standard do they fail? Hursthouse defends the position that virtue theory gives us a measurement by which we may begin to understand why Alfie’s actions are subpar. According to virtue theory,

We then ask ourselves who is the virtuous agent.

What does it mean to live a fulfilling life? We might think that a fulfilling life is one where you live in pursuit of fulfilling your purpose. Consider the following:

What’s it all about Alfie
Is it just for the moment we live
What’s it all about
When you sort it out, Alfie
Are we meant to take more than we give
Or are we meant to be kind?
And if, if only fools are kind, Alfie
Then I guess it is wise to be cruel
And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie
What will you lend on an old golden rule?

Hursthouse questions whether motherhood gives one’s life meaning.

If we are to go on to talk about good human lives, in the context of abortion, we have to bring in our thoughts about the value of love and family life, and our proper emotional development through a natural life cycle. The familiar facts support the view that parenthood in general, and motherhood and childbearing in particular, are intrinsically worth-while, are among the things that can be correctly thought to be partially constitutive of a flourishing human life. ’4 If this is right, then a woman who opts for not being a mother (at all, or again, or now) by opting for abortion may thereby be manifesting a flawed grasp of what her life should be, and be about-a grasp that is childish, or grossly materialistic, or shortsighted, or shallow

Which actions can you point to, that have had lasting ramifications for your life? The above statement seems to suggest that what it means to have a good life, or what gives a life meaning are such values as love, family life etc. But more importantly, there is a worry that according to the above, such values can only be realized in the context of motherhood. But what about the doctor who serves in the organization doctors without borders? She largely serves in politically unstable countries and so would not be able to safely take care of a child while serving in such areas. She is realizing the values of love and family life, although not traditional but every bit as real.

I suspect, at least if Alfie teaches us anything, that values such as love and family are not only realized at childbirth. There were many actions that Alfie performed that fell short of these values even though they did not center around motherhood. One does not need to have given birth in order to express care and compassion.

But what if love and family life are not what provides life’s meaning? What if we only pursue love and family life because we believe it will make us happy. If this is true, then we may think that anything that brings us happiness is worth pursuing as our life’s meaning. Alfie’s problem was not his womanizing, rather, its his pursuit of women even though they did not bring him happiness. There may very well be someone else who is made happy through the pursuit of fleeting relationships. Any action which you can attribute to each new event and circumstance of happiness is a good one. Birth? Education? A singular moment of clarity or nirvana? Any and all actions that will bring the greatest amount of happiness is where we might find life’s meaning. According to Mill’s Utilitarianism

But we may be dissatisfied with Rand’s ideal of happiness in her Man’s Rights. Rand defends the pursuit of material goods and wealth as a moral ideal. Is pursuing one’s own happiness a necessary component of finding meaning in life? What about others? What about the minority who may be left deeply unsatisfied even though the majority are living well?

Some draw distinctions between meaningfulness and significance however, some actions are meaningful in a broadly contextual sense while others are only temporally significant [Singer 1996, 112-18; Belliotti 2019, 145-50, 186]. Aquinas perhaps tries to account for this. For Aquinas, the human law is human kind’s participation in the Divine Law, a law that comes from a ruler who governs a perfect community. Such law would govern every aspect of existence, broadly meaningful.

First, because it is by law that man is directed how to perform his proper acts in view of his last end.

But maybe the problem with Alfie, is that the question itself is meaningless. The mistake Alfie makes, is to ask an absurd question [Nagel 1970; 1986; 214-23]. What about the question itself? One may very well think “who cares?”

Consider the following thought experiment:

You are in a hospital surrounded by expensive equipment. Your child is lying in the bed, sick. Do you think “one day, the sun will supernova and all this (gesturing to the equipment and your daughter) will be over. What’s the point to it all?” No you do not, you only care about your daughter getting well. As such, it would seem that the question itself is absurd.

Alfie is looking for something that in itself is a distraction from what is important. However, some think that it is in our nature to ask such questions. Is there something about human nature that can attribute meaning to life, or exhibit meaning in life? Think of mother Teresa, Ghandi, Martin Luther and Martin Luther King. Perhaps there is no meaning to life and so individuals such as these create their own meaning. Alfie failed to create his own meaning.

Some other questions that arise when thinking about the meaning of life, can include what we find beautiful about life, what is good, what truths can be found in life?

ChatGPT seems to think the following songs are examples:

  1. “What’s It All About, Alfie?” by Dionne Warwick Originally from the movie “Alfie”, this song asks directly about the meaning of life, prompted by the film’s story of a man who leads a self-centered life.

What’s it all about Alfie
Is it just for the moment we live
What’s it all about
When you sort it out, Alfie
Are we meant to take more than we give
Or are we meant to be kind?
And if, if only fools are kind, Alfie
Then I guess it is wise to be cruel
And if life belongs only to the strong, Alfie
What will you lend on an old golden rule?
As sure as I believe there’s a heaven above
Alfie, I know there’s something much more
Something even non-believers can believe in
I believe in love, Alfie
Without true love we just exist, Alfie
Until you find the love you’ve missed
You’re nothing, Alfie
When you walk let your heart lead the way
And you’ll find love any day Alfie, Alfie

  1. “Let It Be” by The Beatles A song inspired by Paul McCartney’s dream about his mother during a tense period. It suggests an acceptance of life as it is and finding solace in moments of trouble.

  2. “The Meaning of Life” by Monty Python From the comedy troupe’s film of the same name, this song humorously addresses the question of life’s meaning.

  3. “Dust in the Wind” by Kansas A reflective song that uses the metaphor of dust in the wind to describe the transient nature of life.

Some that I could think of include:

  1. I Got a Car by George Strait. Strait suggests that good friends are all that one needs.
  2. Rich and Sad by Post Malone. Malone doesn’t necessarily need friends plural, but rather just one friend friend in particular.