An Analysis of the Sources of Meaning in Life

It does not seem possible for humans to know the meaning of life, such as why humans and the world exist unless one is committed to a God-centred belief system. However, humans can discover and invent their meaning in life or purpose in life. In the spirit of analytical philosophy and empiricism of this book, the author has disambiguated and analytically formalized the variety of uses of the language of "meaning in life". At a basic level, humans cognitively process and interpret aggregate information received from sections of the empirical world to produce meaning. The language of meaning in life refers to diverse quasi meta-ethical concepts that the author has attempted to reveal. Meaning in life arises when subjective attraction meets objective attractiveness. Purpose in life and values in life are complementary and definitionally related. While there exists a plurality of values, it is possible to compare them. A normative, hierarchic paradigm is proposed for enhancing values and meaning in life. Altruism is a part of human nature, and pure altruism empirically improves health and meaning in life. The primary cause of pure altruism is self-extension or identification of others with the self. The author describes some practical modes of altruistic behaviour.