Deck 82: Julian Baggini: Living Life Forward

Question 1

Baggini examines the teleological view of life, the notion that life has meaning only when it is lived toward future goals and objectives. He concludes that if life has meaning only because of some goal set in the future, "we would never be able to catch up with the purpose of life's existence and so purpose would permanently elude us, whether there is life after death or not…. [W]e also need to find a way of living which is worthwhile in itself."
-Baggini says that life's purpose can be realized only by

A) looking to some future goal.
B) looking backward to life's origins.
C) finding a teleological purpose.
D) finding a way of living that is worthwhile in itself.

Answer 1

D

Question 2

Baggini examines the teleological view of life, the notion that life has meaning only when it is lived toward future goals and objectives. He concludes that if life has meaning only because of some goal set in the future, "we would never be able to catch up with the purpose of life's existence and so purpose would permanently elude us, whether there is life after death or not…. [W]e also need to find a way of living which is worthwhile in itself."
-According to Baggini, if life is to be meaningful, the "why/because" series of questions

A) must find an answer in immortality.
B) cannot extend indefinitely into the future.
C) must never come to an end.
D) must extend indefinitely into the future.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

Baggini examines the teleological view of life, the notion that life has meaning only when it is lived toward future goals and objectives. He concludes that if life has meaning only because of some goal set in the future, "we would never be able to catch up with the purpose of life's existence and so purpose would permanently elude us, whether there is life after death or not…. [W]e also need to find a way of living which is worthwhile in itself."
-According to Baggini, after goal-oriented people achieve their ambitions, they may feel

A) no need for further meaning in life.
B) a renewed sense of purpose.
C) fulfilled.
D) empty.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Baggini examines the teleological view of life, the notion that life has meaning only when it is lived toward future goals and objectives. He concludes that if life has meaning only because of some goal set in the future, "we would never be able to catch up with the purpose of life's existence and so purpose would permanently elude us, whether there is life after death or not…. [W]e also need to find a way of living which is worthwhile in itself."
-According to Baggini, we need to find a way of living that is

Question 5

Baggini examines the teleological view of life, the notion that life has meaning only when it is lived toward future goals and objectives. He concludes that if life has meaning only because of some goal set in the future, "we would never be able to catch up with the purpose of life's existence and so purpose would permanently elude us, whether there is life after death or not…. [W]e also need to find a way of living which is worthwhile in itself."
-Baggini argues that the notion of a God assigning a purpose to humans should be objectionable to believers and nonbelievers alike.

Question 6

Baggini examines the teleological view of life, the notion that life has meaning only when it is lived toward future goals and objectives. He concludes that if life has meaning only because of some goal set in the future, "we would never be able to catch up with the purpose of life's existence and so purpose would permanently elude us, whether there is life after death or not…. [W]e also need to find a way of living which is worthwhile in itself."
-Baggini concludes that life has no meaning.

Question 7

Baggini examines the teleological view of life, the notion that life has meaning only when it is lived toward future goals and objectives. He concludes that if life has meaning only because of some goal set in the future, "we would never be able to catch up with the purpose of life's existence and so purpose would permanently elude us, whether there is life after death or not…. [W]e also need to find a way of living which is worthwhile in itself."
-A teleological view of life focuses on the past.

Question 8

Baggini examines the teleological view of life, the notion that life has meaning only when it is lived toward future goals and objectives. He concludes that if life has meaning only because of some goal set in the future, "we would never be able to catch up with the purpose of life's existence and so purpose would permanently elude us, whether there is life after death or not…. [W]e also need to find a way of living which is worthwhile in itself."
-For Baggini, life after death makes mortal life meaningful.

Question 9

Baggini examines the teleological view of life, the notion that life has meaning only when it is lived toward future goals and objectives. He concludes that if life has meaning only because of some goal set in the future, "we would never be able to catch up with the purpose of life's existence and so purpose would permanently elude us, whether there is life after death or not…. [W]e also need to find a way of living which is worthwhile in itself."
-Baggini concludes that religion cannot give meaning to life.