Meaning

The meaning of life, or the answer to the question ‘What is the meaning of life?’, relate to the significance of living or existence more generally……

​The search for the ‘meaning of life’ has resulted in much philosophical, scientific, theological, and metaphysical speculation throughout history. Readers interested in pursuing these matters further should consult Wikipedia or somesuch.

That is not our concern here. We are interested only to the extent that we are able to use such thinking to add meaning to our own life and so to make a better go of it.

It is enough for the moment to distinguish Self-meaning and Social-meaning.

Self-meaning is the meaning we give our own lives and in their own terms, as experience. For example, my family means much to me.

​Social-meaning is the meaning our lives give (or we hope it gives) to others. For example, I mean much to my family.

Self- and Social-meaning are two sides of the same coin. It is useful to separate them, although at times we will need to bring them back together.

For example, my family means much to me; but I do not mean much to them or indeed the reverse.

This is enough to get us started. More detailed examples follow. Additional material will be introduced as required.