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THE MEANING AND THE MYSTERY OF LIFE

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2013

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Extract

Let us begin with the familiar view that life has a meaning only insofar as we make it meaningful in the way that we live. This is to focus on the value of each individual life, in which respect it may be contrasted with human destiny as being part of a greater scheme of things, as when we look to religion to give significance to our lives beyond our earthly pursuits. What is implied, then, is that human life is devoid of any transcendent meaning, so that we are not the protagonists in a cosmic drama starring Christian or other deities, the final act being that in which we depart this life and set sail for another. On the contrary, when we die we sink into oblivion, and that is all there is to it.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Royal Institute of Philosophy 2013

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