THE MEANING OF LIFE

Have I lived a meaningful life?

Did I live my life to the fullest?
Did I waste the years of my youth?
What would I do if I were given the chance to
live my life again?
OBJECTIVES
Discuss philosophical concepts and views on human existence
and meaning
Discuss various existential questions that will help us articulate
our thoughts and reflection on life

Discuss concepts, ideas, and views from eastern and western

philosophies that will guide us in living a good and meaningful
life and in facing problems and challenges
 Is a philosophy that seeks to
understand human existence
and the significance of
human experience.

It focuses specifically on the

ability of the individual to
make choices and commit to
such choices to make
something out of your life.
 WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LIFE?
Three Various Approaches
Is human life worth saving?
The significance of life
Freedom to choose your destiny
THREE MAJOR VIEWPOINTS ON THE MEANING OF LIFE
SUPERNATURALISTIC VIEWS
Believe that life gains meaning
from a relationship with the divine
God defines life’s meaning
by assigning a purpose to
the person
Human life derives from the human soul
and spirit and that spirit enables man to
achieve relationship with God.
THREE MAJOR VIEWPOINTS ON THE MEANING OF LIFE
NATURALIST VIEWS Believe that one can achieve meaning
in life even without the spiritual realm
and reject the influence of
supernatural forces in life.

SUBJECTIVISM – view the individual as the one who defines

the meaning of life based on their desires, goals, and choices.

OBJECTIVISM– there are no subjective bases for life’s

meaning rather people seek to attain certain standards and
goals which defines meaning in their lives.
 THREE MAJOR VIEWPOINTS ON THE MEANING OF LIFE
NIHILISTIC VIEWS
Consider it futile and irrelevant to ponder on
the question of the meaning of life
Existence as unknowable, chaotic, and
irrational
Understanding and even attaining meaning in
one’s life is impossible
WHAT IS MY LIFE’S PURPOSE?
Human person is made
incomplete and finite by God and
thus seek happiness and
satisfaction
The person also seeks spiritual satisfaction which
can only be fulfilled by the love of God.
Ultimate happiness found only in the creator.
 WHAT IS MY LIFE’S PURPOSE?
Defines existence as the person’s
journey toward self-actualization
Three Stages to self actualization
AESTHETIC STAGE– the actions of the
person is governed by senses,
impulses and emotions
ETHICAL STAGE– person
RELIGIOUS STAGE– the person is
develops an awareness of
able to devote themselves to a
moral universal standards
higher standard or purpose in life.
that guide the actions
WHAT IS MY LIFE’S PURPOSE?
For a person to progress from one
life stage to another he confronts
two choices, call an either-or
disposition.
He considers the movement from
moral stage to the religious stage as a
LEAP OF FAITH.

LEAP OF FAITH– the person recognizes and accepts the need for a
relationship with God.
WHAT IS MY LIFE’S PURPOSE?
Man has a will to meaning
Person’s innate character that drives
the person to find meaning in life
THREE VIEWS IN APPLYING THE MEANING IN LIFE
CREATIVE VALUES– refer to the creation or
achievement of something worthwhile in life
EXPERIENTIAL VALUES– refer to ATTITUDINAL VALUES– refer to the
the interaction with the world and adoption of a positive attitude and
other people and experiences of outlook towards negative
positive aspects of life experiences
WHAT IS MY LIFE’S PURPOSE?
Meaningless and absurd existence
ABSURDISM– is the view that as a person tries
to make sense of his life and find meaning in it,
he eventually realizes that such meaning cannot
be found.

The absurdist view considers all lives as essentially

SISYPHUS
the same, going through the same process from
birth to adulthood and eventually death.
Embrace and accept the fact that existence is
absurd and live in spite of it.
Make your own meaning and purpose and find
happiness in the smaller things in everyday life.
 How do adversities and challenges define the
meaning of life?
Some philosophers consider adversity and other
negative experiences as opportunities for self-
reflection and a path to much deeper realizations
on the meaning of life.
How do adversities and challenges define the
meaning of life?
LOGOTHERAPHY
To help people who have undergone
great difficulties and restore their will
to live.
Is a more active and meaning centered
psychotherapy which motivates the
person to find or rediscover meaning in
their lives, focus on a vision of a future
they wishes to fulfill and work to attain it.
How do adversities and challenges define the
meaning of life?
METAPHYSICS OF HOPE
In times of trial and despair people naturally
hope for release or salvation from adversity.
Hope is natural and inevitable response
to trials and despair and that human
beings are naturally predisposed to hope.
Hope does not give a definite solution to
a problem but rather the desire to
continue living despite difficulties.
THANK YOU
 QUIZ HOPE LOGOTHERAPHY GABRIEL MARCEL VICTOR FRANK SOREN KIERKEGAARD NATURALIST VIEWS

EXISTENTIALISM NIHILISTIC VIEWS SUPERNATURALIST VIEWS OBJECTIVISM ABSURDISM RELIGIOUS STAGE

1. What philosophy that focuses on understanding human experience and the significance of
human experience?
2. What view that believe that life gains meaning from a relationship with the divine?
3. What view that believe that one can achieve meaning in life apart from the spiritual realm?
4. What view that the individual can define his or her own meaning in life?
5. What view that considers certain standards and goals worth attaining by all persons?
6. What view that believe that pondering on life’s meaning is futile and irrelevant?
7. Who defines existence as the person’s journey towards self-actualization?
8. He believes that each person seeks to find meaning in life by applying certain values.
9. What method that encourages the person to rediscover the meaning of his life?
10. What is consider as a natural and inevitable response to trials and despair and encourage
person to continue living despite difficulties?