I don't think there is one "Meaning of Life" or one "Right Way to Live Your Life".
But still... There is an order to life. It seems logical that there are a set of ways to live and choices to make that are more optimal than the rest. And for that, it's worth thinking about life and understanding the true import of your choices, their impact on your goals and happiness.
And so, I intend to figure out just what I think about life. I'm going to try to talk it out here.
I reserve the right to edit what I write if, as I go along, I realize that earlier bits don't make sense. Without further ado:
Scope: what will I explore?
1) What things do people commonly cite as sources of happiness and meaning? Why are they sources of happiness and meaning?
2) What are the underlying needs and desires people have?
3) The range of structures of life for people in the 21st century. Their benefits and drawbacks.
4) A review of several philosophers - comparison of their positions on leading a meaningful life. I am particularly interested in reading some Whitehead.
5) A comparison of different combinations of conditions - what will make me happy, what has meaning for me. What are a few feasible trajectories to aim for?
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I am extremely interested in reading this series of posts, and I think that your five questions are an extremely good approximation to the ultimate question, and it is certainly more useful than "what is the answer".
As far as the whole happiness thing is concerned, I think that a major element is just having a goal- any goal. Even if the real point is the path to that goal, a path with no point is nothing more than a labyrinth. But knowing that is not enough, because making up a false goal for yourself does not really work when you are the person that you are trying to fool. I think that the best way to go is to identify a goal- anything- that is worth pursuing, even if it seems hopeless. I kind of feel that way about the start-up that I have pitched to you and your "other". I feel kind of hopeless at this point about actually being able to accomplish it, but I am thoroughly convinced that it is worth accomplishing. It is that fact, that belief and conviction, that is making me a lot happier.
Anyway, this series looks totally fascinating, and I look forward to reading it.
