The Meaning of Life
The meaning of life is subjective to individual people and varies depending on one’s pro-attitudes. Common instances of life’s meaning are achieving one’s highest goals, doing something one considers important, and getting what one wants strongly. A prominent subjectivist maintains that caring and loving are relevant mental states. In the absence of these, life is not meaningful. For the most part, however, people tend to have a positive, universal view of life.
Western philosophical perspectives differ from each other on the meaning of life. During the Enlightenment, humans defined life by abstract ideals, which they hoped to attain. This view is based on the eschatological order, which has undergone much debate. In general, most philosophical perspectives on the meaning of life explain life in terms of abstract ideals. One famous example is the School of Athens fresco, which depicts Plato and Aristotle talking with their heads held high, gesturing to the world.
The meaning of life is a complex concept that has undergone many definitions. There is no single definition of the meaning of life, but different philosophical traditions have been looking for a way to define it. For example, Hinduism defines four stages of balanced living. The first stage, Vanaprastha, involves stepping back from the demands of daily life and focusing on study and meditation. For many, this phase is a source of great meaning and spirituality.