Lesson 4: The Meaning of Life

Question 1

• is a philosophy that seeks to understand human existence and the significance of human experience
• focuses specifically on the ability of the individual to make choices and commit to those choices to make something out of his or her life

Answer 1

existentialism

Question 2

believe that life gains meaning from a relationship with the divine

Answer 2

supernaturalist view

Question 3

the most prominent supernaturalist view

Answer 3

is that God defines life’s meaning by assigning a purpose to the person

Question 4

believe that one can achieve meaning in life even without the spiritual realm and reject the influence of supernatural forces in life

Answer 4

naturalist views

Question 5

• views the individual as the one who defines his or her own life’s meaning based on his/her desires, goals, and choices
• people can come up with varied and different meaning for their respective lives

Answer 5

subjectivism

Question 6

• believes that there are no subjective bases for life
• people must seek to attain certain standards and goals

Answer 6

objectivism

Question 7

• consider it futile and irrelevant to ponder on the question of life’s meaning
• those who subscribe to this view consider existence as unknowable, chaotic, and irrational

Answer 7

nihilistic views

Question 8

According to him, apart from gaining happiness from physical needs, the person also seeks spiritual satisfaction which can only be fulfilled by the love of God.

Answer 8

St. Augustine

Question 9

Soren Kierkegaard defines existence as the person’s journey toward ______ .

Answer 9

self-actualization

Question 10

According to Kierkegaard, the individual undergoes three stages in his/her personal progression to self-actualization:

Answer 10

1. aesthetic stage
2. ethical stage
3. religious stage

Question 11

where the actions of the person are governed by his/her senses, impulses, and emotions

Answer 11

aesthetic stage

Question 12

where the person develops an awareness of moral universal standards that guide his/her actions

Answer 12

ethical stage

Question 13

• the person is able to devote him/herself to a higher standard of purpose in life
• the indivudal now recognizes his/her capacity for spirituality and establishes a relationship with God

Answer 13

religious stage

Question 14

For a person to progress from one life stage to another, he/she confronts two choices which Kierkgaard calls an ____ disposition.

Answer 14

either-or disposition

Question 15

movement from the moral stage to the religious stage, where the person recognizes and accepts the need for relationship with God

Answer 15

leap of faith

Question 16

the person’s innate character that drives him/her to find meaning in life

Answer 16

will to meaning

Question 17

creation or achievement of something worthwhile in life

Answer 17

creative values

Question 18

interaction with the world and other people and experiences of positive aspects of life

Answer 18

experiential values

Question 19

• adoption of a positive attitude and outlook towards negative experiences
• include transforming personal defeat into triumph and finding joy amidst hopeless condition

Answer 19

attitudinal values

Question 20

• offers a unique perspective on how a person can find meaning and purpose in an otherwise meaningless and absurd existence.
• is the view that as the person tries to make sense of his or her life and find meaning in it, he or she eventually realizes that such meaning cannot be found.

Answer 20

Absurdism

by Albert Camus

Question 21

• method of psychotherapy by Frankl, to help people who have undergone great difficulties and restore their will to live
• motivates the person to find meaning in his/her life, focus on a vision of a future he/she wishes to fulfill

Answer 21

logotherapy

Question 22

Gabriel Marcel believes that in times of trial and despair people naturally ____ for release or salvation from adversity.

Answer 22

hope

Question 23

is a feeling that maintains a person’s integrity and prevents despair. It allows individuals to accept their fate and maintain a positive outlook.

Answer 23

hope

Question 24

Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor who devoted his life in studying, understanding and promoting “meaning”

Answer 24

Victor Frankl

Question 25

father of Existentialism

Answer 25

Soren Kierkegaard