I guess you are getting your hopes up. You think by reading this blog that you might discover the Meaning of Life. You may be a little optimistic, but I will see what I can do.
I heard a story about a professor who was lecturing to his Philosophy 101 class. In jest he asked if anyone might be able to contribute to this subject. There were no offers, but he did notice that one of his students was sleeping soundly.
“Mr Smith,” he called loudly, “do you happen to know the answer to this question?” The student, still in a half fog and having no idea what the question was, bluffed, “I did know the answer, sir, but I forgot.” “Well class,” the professor responded, “this is a trajedy. For centuries man has searched for the meaning of life. Now we have someone who knew the answer, but he forgot.”
I must admit that I have been a participant in that search. I have taken many college courses in Religion and Theology. I even took a couple of Philosophy classes. Still with no answer I decided to read a nine volume work titled A History of Philosophy by Frederick Copleston, an Oxford Jesuit. That took me several months to read. As a result I was much better informed, but still did not have my answer. Thinking that I might have overlooked the answer, I read all nine volumes again. And even a third time. Let me spare you some reading. It is not in there.
At this advanced stage of life, I am becoming a little doubtful that I will stumble across it. I think I might know a liitle how Einstein felt in his search for a Unified Field Theory, something that would “explain it all.” If there is a meaning of life that we could all discover and agree on, it is just out of our reach.
I have come to the conclusion that there may not be just one meaning of life for everyone. Maybe there are several, or hundreds, and each individual finds the one that fits. There are probably a lot more people who just do not bother themselves with such lofty thoughts than there are those who search.
I am not saying that I am giving up the pursuit, but I do have a Plan B. I am trying to live a “meaningful” life, a life that might have an impact on others even after I am gone. Plan B is not as grandiose as the search for the Unifying Theory of life, but it is more attainable and, if I shift some of that effort that I have given to Philosophy to more mundane matters, I hope to make a difference to someone somewhere.
It is funny how adding just three letters to a word can change not just the definition, but also the thrust of the word. Meaning sounds academic. Meaningful is more affective. I like them both. It depends on my mood. Right now I choose to eat some spaghetti and have a glass of red wine.
Turn Left 