Question 1

For most philosophers, when talking about &#34;life's meaning&#34; we essentially have in mind all but which one of the following?&#10;A) Achieving certain purposes.&#10;B) Doing things that merit admiration.&#10;C) Living a life filled with bodily pleasure.&#10;D) Connecting positively to something beyond oneself.

Accepted Answer

For most philosophers, living a life filled with bodily pleasure is not necessarily considered the main or ultimate source of life's meaning. While pleasure can be a part of a meaningful life, it is not typically viewed as the sole or most important factor. The other options (achieving certain purposes, doing things that merit admiration, and connecting positively to something beyond oneself) are more commonly associated with discussions of life's meaning.

Question 2

The Biblical book of Ecclesiastes presents which of the following positions?&#10;A) We have immortal souls but our lives are meaningless.&#10;B) We have immortal souls that will get their just deserts.&#10;C) Life is meaningful because we can give mortal people their just deserts.&#10;D) Life is meaningless because mortal people do not receive their just deserts.

Accepted Answer

The Biblical book of Ecclesiastes presents the position that life is meaningless because mortal people do not receive their just deserts. The author, commonly believed to be King Solomon, reflects on the futility of life and the fact that righteous people often suffer while the wicked prosper without punishment. This leads him to the conclusion that everything is ultimately meaningless and a chasing after the wind.

Question 3

According to the 'Making a Difference' argument associated with Leo Tolstoy:&#10;A) We cannot make a real difference if we are mortal.&#10;B) We can make a real difference only if we are mortal.&#10;C) We necessarily make a real difference if we are immortal.&#10;D) We would make a real difference by preventing a mortal girl from being burned.

Accepted Answer

We cannot make a real difference if we are mortal.&#10;

Question 4

One argument for thinking that a life without an immortal soul must be meaningless is that:&#10;A) With an immortal soul, our lives are free and proceed randomly.&#10;B) With an immortal soul, our lives are unfree but always do the right thing.&#10;C) Without an immortal soul, we lack the freedom to choose between right and wrong.&#10;D) Without an immortal soul, we freely choose to do wrong more often than right.

Accepted Answer

The argument posits that the absence of an immortal soul removes the capacity for moral choice, implying that the ability to choose between right and wrong gives life meaning.

Question 5

One reason for thinking that meaning in life is possible in spite of death is the intuition that:&#10;A) One can eat, drink, and be merry, even if no one survives the death of one's body.&#10;B) Helping others differs from long-distance spitting in that the former is meaningful, even if no one survives the death of one's body.&#10;C) Even long-distance spitting is meaningful, regardless of whether one survives the death of one's body.&#10;D) Helping others ends up producing more pleasure for oneself than long-distance spitting, regardless of whether one survives the death of one's body.

Accepted Answer

The intuition that helping others is meaningful suggests that the impact of one's actions on others and the world can continue after one's death, giving a sense of purpose and meaning to one's life even if it is finite. This differs from the notion that pleasure or selfish pursuits can provide meaning, which may be limited to one's own lifetime and have less of a lasting impact. Option A is focused on pleasure and does not address impact on others. Option C is unlikely to be seen as meaningful by most people, and option D is focused on personal pleasure rather than impact on others.

Question 6

Recall the view that only an immortal life could exhibit a great meaning in it. Which of the following is an objection to this view?:&#10;A) There is no evidence that any of us is immortal.&#10;B) If any one of us is immortal, then all of us are immortal.&#10;C) If immortality were sufficient for a great meaning, then everyone's life would be equally meaningful, but it's not.&#10;D) An immortal life of meaning would have so much more than a mortal life that the latter could not count as &#34;meaningful&#34; by comparison.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Recall the view that only an immortal...

Question 7

Of the arguments for the view that immortality is required for a meaningful life discussed in the readings, pick the one that you find strongest or most interesting. What is the argument? How might one question it? Are there convincing answers to be made on its behalf? Defend your conclusion.

Accepted Answer

The answer of Of the arguments for the view that...

Question 8

What is the main argument for thinking that we can live meaningfully even if we do not have immortal souls and will instead perish along with our bodies? How might one question it? Are there convincing answers to be made on its behalf? Defend your conclusion, being sure to discuss what it means to live &#34;meaningfully.&#34;

Accepted Answer

The answer of What is the main argument for thinking...

Deck 37: Meaning in Life in Spite of Death