Introduction to the Humanities I: Philosophical Thought



Introduction to the Humanities I: Philosophical Thought

Introduction

Life and its meaning is not very simple to define, it requires proper consideration to understand what life really is? And what is the purpose of life. Another major concern associated with life is that, the meaning and purpose of life is different for different people. Every individual has a different perspective of life and some people have no idea or concern about understanding the meaning of life. There are some people who believe that we are alive and that's the life. This provides the different concept of life for different people but this is not enough. In my opinion life is considered as much more than to breathe or being alive. To understand the meaning and purpose of life, is actually what the life means to me. The most typical question of understanding the meaning and purpose of life is itself the answer to it. This is actually what I consider as the definition of life. Life means to understand and seek for the meaning of life and purpose for the existence. This concept is considered by various philosophers like Heidegger and other existentialist philosophers like, Kierkegaard, Nietzsche and Sartre (Guignon, 2004). To find the reason of existence and knowledge of 'being' are the most important concept associated with it which influence the philosophers and psychologist all over the world since decades. Still it is not easy to properly define the life even the concept in existence theories also provides that, the moment when a person realizes the meaning and purpose for his life and existence, the whole life altered or even result in death. One of the most famous literary examples of this is provided by Cervantes in his legendary novel Don Quixote(Yalom, 1980). There are various other famous existentialists who search for the meaning of life and purpose all over the world in different religions like Rumi, but the concern is same (Chittick, 2005). This emphasizes the meaning of life for me as to understand, what the purpose of life actually is and to serve that purpose is actually 'the life'. Warren also tries to define the purpose of life, but it is very complex idea and varies from individual to individual. He also analyzes this ideology in his preview that the search the meaning and purpose of life has puzzled people for years and even then there are different concepts associated with it (Warren, 2008). One of the key figures who defines the meaning and purpose of life in a broader way is Dr. Ambrosio. In his lectures Dr. Ambrosio defines the concepts and meaning of life. He described it with the concept of hero and the saint. That identifies the purpose of life as serving for both, the world and for the God.

Thesis Statement

The meaning and purpose of life is to serve the humanity and the creator of human beings.

Discussion

The meaning of life is mainly to serve the other human beings ...