Deck 59: Richard Taylor

Question 1

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life
To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing.
Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification.
-Describe the myth of Sisyphus. What does Sisyphus's plight represent for Taylor? What does he think we can learn from reflecting on this story? Do you agree with him?

Answer 1

No Answer

Question 2

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life
To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing.
Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification.
-Explain Taylor's argument for the conclusion that human lives are objectively meaningless. What do you think is the strongest objection to this argument? Do you think it can be overcome?

Answer 2

No Answer

Question 3

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life
To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing.
Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification.
-Despite his claim that human lives are objectively meaningless, Taylor claims that our lives can achieve a certain kind of meaning. What does he mean by this, and how does he argue for it? Do you agree that the kind of meaning he describes is the kind that matters? Defend your answer.

Answer 3

No Answer

Question 4

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life
To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing.
Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification.
-Taylor claims that if Sisyphus's life were to become objectively meaningful, this would actually be a negative thing. What is his argument for this claim? What conclusions does he draw from this argument regarding human lives? Do you find his position plausible?

Question 5

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life
To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing.
Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification.
-What is Sisyphus condemned to do? What is it about Sisyphus's task that renders it meaningless, in Taylor's view? What could be done to give Sisyphus's task meaning?

Question 6

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life
To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing.
Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification.
-What two types of meaning in life does Taylor distinguish? Which does he think is preferable, and why? Do you agree with his assessment?

Question 7

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life
To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing.
Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification.
-What is the point of life, according to Taylor? Where does he think that meaning in life comes from? Do you find his view plausible? Why or why not?

Question 8

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life
To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing.
Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification.
-Taylor claims that what renders Sisyphus's life meaningless is that:

A) Sisyphus is constantly bored.
B) he is completely cut off from others.
C) it contains no creativity.
D) it has no significant culmination.

Question 9

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life
To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing.
Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification.
-According to Taylor, the life of Sisyphus represents the life of:

A) individuals.
B) nations.
C) the human race.
D) all of the above.

Question 10

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life
To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing.
Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification.
-In Taylor's view, the point of living is:

A) to pursue pleasure and avoid pain.
B) to leave one's mark on the Earth after one's death.
C) to enrich the lives of others.
D) simply to be living.

Question 11

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life
To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing.
Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification.
-Taylor defines meaninglessness as:

A) endless pointlessness.
B) endless suffering without redemption.
C) endless boredom.
D) endless loneliness.

Question 12

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life
To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing.
Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification.
-Taylor claims that if Sisyphus's labors were to culminate in a beautiful and enduring temple:

A) his life would be both meaningful and desirable.
B) his life would be meaningful, but not desirable.
C) his life would be desirable, but not meaningful.
D) his life would be neither meaningful nor desirable.

Question 13

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life
To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing.
Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification.
-According to Taylor, if the gods had implanted in Sisyphus an impulse to roll stones, Sisyphus's life:

A) is now the best life.
B) is now an even worse life.
C) is now meaningful.
D) is still meaningless.

Question 14

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life
To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing.
Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification.
-Taylor claims that a human life can acquire a meaning when one:

A) serves others who will live on after one's death.
B) dedicates one's life to some great project.
C) feels a strong desire to be doing exactly what one is doing.
D) renounces all worldly projects and devotes oneself to spiritual matters.

Question 15

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life
To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing.
Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification.
-In Taylor's view:

A) objective and subjective meaning are both crucial to a good life.
B) objective meaning is crucial to a good life, but subjective meaning is not.
C) subjective meaning is crucial to a good life, but objective meaning is not.
D) neither objective nor subjective meaning is crucial to a good life.

Question 16

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life
To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing.
Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification.
-Taylor characterizes the life of the world as:

A) a vast machine.
B) feeding on itself.
C) running on and on forever to nothing.
D) all of the above.

Question 17

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life
To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing.
Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification.
-Taylor concludes that the meaning of life comes from:

A) God.
B) within us.
C) nature.
D) society.

Question 18

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life
To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing.
Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification.
-Taylor claims that the two types of meaningfulness that Sisyphus's life can have is a strange compulsion, and infinite boredom.

Question 19

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life
To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing.
Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification.
-In Taylor's view, meaninglessness is essentially endless pointlessness.

Question 20

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life
To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing.
Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification.
-According to Taylor, the point of a living thing's life is to serve others.

Question 21

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life
To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing.
Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification.
-Taylor claims that our lives can acquire meaning if we have an inner compulsion to be doing something.

Question 22

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life
To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing.
Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification.
-Taylor argues that objective and rational meaningfulness is superior to subjective and irrational meaningfulness.

Question 23

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life
To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing.
Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification.
-Taylor claims that the meaning of life is from within us.

Question 24

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life
To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing.
Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification.
-Taylor maintains that the myth of Sisyphus provides an appropriate metaphor for our lives.