From Life, We Philosophize Life

Let me point out first. Life, as we all know at heart but don't often clarify, is the combination of:

• Staying alive, healthy, sufficient, happy;

• Interacting with our immediate surroundings;

• Experiencing, perceiving and dealing with feelings, conceiving and directing imaginations;

• Learning, understanding, gaining knowledge and skills, developing, striving for goals;

• Sharing, communicating, serving, providing, receiving, retreating;

• Remembering, reflecting, recreating, repeating, and resting.

So what is the meaning of life? The literal meaning is given above. But of course, you are not asking for the literal meaning of life. You wonder what is the purpose of this combination, what is the higher meaning of life. From here, you start to philosophize. Everything originates from life, including philosophizing. Philosophy, like music, poems, maths or the theory of evolution, or economics, comes from life and our human's perception and description of it. All of our human knowledge originates from this starting point for one purpose: to better improve life, to understanding the laws of it, and either change it or follow it.

The meaning of life is given by God, as the religious beliefs supposed. But you're not convinced by faith alone. So let me tell you, from philosophy's perspective, that human life as a whole has no meaning in the universe, or at least unknown at the moment until we find physical evidence of God. We are merely self-conscious creatures living in a floating planet aimlessly. But individually, within the boundary of this planet, each of us serve a different meaning and purpose.

After all, what is the meaning of life? This question cannot be answered by a few words of truth. There is no universal meaning of life for all. You decide your own meaning of life. You will find it in the things you do that are the most meaningful to you. Most things are meaningful when your mind is opened. Typically, those things are: Communication, Understanding, and Providing Service. Whenever you do any one of those things on the list, you're fulfilling the meaning of your life. However, it is only through the combination of them can you reach your higher meaning of life and live life to the fullest.

The act of asking this fundamental question is a consequence of living as a self-conscious being. When we become aware of more, we start to see this anchor of our lives. Because this is a question posted to you by your own life and self-reflection, it will surely come back to you again and again. But it's ok. Take your time to fully understand and think about the literal meaning of life, come back to it whenever in doubt, and continue on to searching for your own higher meaning of life.

#IdealistsJournal #ExistentialismPragmatism