1
The Meaning of LifeRichard Taylor

• Three ways to answer the question What
  gives life meaning?
• Life has meaning because it has a purpose,
  direction, or results in something that lasts
• Response the repetitive nature of life reveals
  how life does not have a point or result in
  anything that truly lasts

(1919-2003)
2
The Meaninglessness of Life

• Life has no meaning because, as in the case of
  Sisyphus, all our efforts ultimately fail to
  produce anything permanent
• Response Sisyphuss irrational desire for what
  cannot be achieved allows him to make sense of
  his endless striving to act

3
The Meaning of LifeThe Nobility of the Struggle
Albert Camus (1913-1960)

• It is our desire to keep on doing what we do
  (i.e., simply striving to live) that makes life
  meaningful. We have no reason to despair, for it
  is the permanent expectation of there not being a
  final state that keeps us going
• Response this ignores our longing for something
  that transcends this life