What Is the Meaning of Life?

The Meaning of Life is a common question that has plagued humanity since time immemorial. It has been pondered by scientists, philosophers, religious leaders and spiritual teachers from all walks of life. The most popular of these questions is probably “what is the meaning of life?” This is a question that has been asked millions of times. The answers provided range from being dead or alive (if we choose to be) to “I will die a thousand deaths” (as if we were trying to pick up a paperweight and bang it against our head to test it). The answers to these questions can be found through history as well as science, religion and ethics.

The meaning of life is a philosophical or ethical question with no easy answer. Some people have made statements such as, “the meaning of life is that which makes us happy”. Others such as the religious philosopher Christopher Hitchens suggested, “Meaning is an abstract idea divorced from reality”. Still others such as the philosopher Peter Senge have said, “A life of reason without love is like a ship without sails, destined to sail but never arriving”.

There is no simple answer to the question “what is the meaning of life”, but the fact remains that the search for an answer to this question will continue until the day when there is peace on earth and all of mankind enjoys a life of happiness and bliss. To find happiness and joy in life one must discover the answers to questions such as: How do you get meaning from life, how does life have meaning, how do you live a life of happiness and joy and how do you love life? The answers to these and other questions are out there and will continue to surface as long as mankind exists.