Even after years of practice, I still find it hard sometimes to sit in silence and meditate. Especially when I have important work to do. Then I keep thinking about how many more minutes it will take for my alarm to go off so that I can go back to work. But today during meditation, a new mindset came over me—a mindset sub specie aeternitatis that quickly made my workaholic worries go away. Here it is in a nutshell: The alarm is never going to go off. I will be sitting here for all eternity, … [Read more...]
Does Meaningful Suffering Disprove Utilitarianism?
Can suffering be a source of meaning? Yes, suffering can be meaningful in at least six ways: Suffering hardens the soul; it builds character. This why Nietzsche wrote, "What does not kill me makes me stronger." Mental fortitude is more meaningful than pamperedness, which is also the basis of post-traumatic growth (positive personal change after a traumatic event). Suffering makes for magnificent stories; it inspires people. This is why the hero archetype is lastingly popular all over … [Read more...]
Is Religion a Vital Source of Meaning?
Why are religious people happier, on average, than atheists? Because religion gives people meaning in life, and meaning is a substantial part of happiness. Religion can be a source of meaning in various ways: Religious communities give people a sense of belonging (communal solidarity, mutual support, ethnohistorical purpose, etc.). Religious mores and practices give people a sense of order (theistic morality, ritualism, liturgy, etc.). Religious faith and beliefs give people … [Read more...]
Where Does Meaning Come From?
Definitions meaning = a life's purpose; significance of one's life will = a person's ability to make decisions and act on them; the individual ability to pursue goals greater will = a group's ability to make decisions and act on them; the collective ability to pursue goals 1) Meaning & Belonging You have meaning if your life is significant. Your life can only be significant if it is important to something greater than you. Therefore, you can have meaning insofar as you are … [Read more...]
Why Rationality Is Important
Our mind is in some instances active and in other instances passive. Insofar as it has adequate ideas, it is necessarily active; and insofar as it has inadequate ideas, it is necessarily passive. (Spinoza, Ethics, pars III, prop. 1) Why rationality is important What is man's greatest strength? Rationality. His ability to reason, to keep his mind cool, and to align his thoughts and actions with facts and data from the real world. Every wise man says, "Play to your strengths." This is why you … [Read more...]
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