Question 1

Does death or the shortness of human life rob it of meaning? If so, how? If not, why?

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Question 2

Internalists can be divided into two camps: those who believe that meaning is something they create (subjectivists) and those who think meaning is something they discover (objectivists). Which view do you think is more plausible? Why?

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Question 3

Consider this argument against subjectivism: It's intuitively obvious that sometimes objective standards apply. If satisfying our strongest desires leads to obviously immoral or trivial acts, subjectivism is implausible. Things aren't meaningful just because we say they are. Is this a good argument? Why or why not?

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Question 4

E. D. Klemke says life has no objective meaning, "But from this it does not follow that life is not worthwhile, for it can still be subjectively meaningful…I, for one, am glad that the universe has no meaning, for thereby is man all the more glorious. I willingly accept the fact that external meaning is non-existent (or if existent, certainly not apparent), for this leaves me free to forge my own meaning." Is this a good response to the claim that life without objective meaning is not worthwhile? Why or why not?

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Question 5

Is life meaningless because we and our world are so miniscule compared to the inconceivably vast cosmos, because life for us is so filled with misery and loss, or because there is no god or creator to give us a purpose or plan for living? Explain.

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Question 6

Explain the difference between an "external" sense of meaningfulness and an "internal" sense of meaningfulness. Do you find external or internal views more plausible? Why?

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Question 7

Explain why many philosophers distinguish between a happy life, a moral life, and a meaningful life. Do you find these arguments convincing? Why or why not?

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Question 8

Is it possible for a person to be miserable and still live a meaningful life? Why or why not?

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Quiz 9: The Meaning of Life