@@kaapenfib3092 Why ask a question that you are being asked yourself? The question, “What is the meaning of life?” is not for you to ask, but is the question life asks you.
"Man's Search for Meaning" is one of those books I can read countless times throughout my life and depending on my state of mind, I can learn something new with every read. I remember the first time I read Frankl's book, I was 14 years old and had a very surface level understanding of who I was as a person, so I only read the first section that discussed his experiences in the camps. I read it like it was a fiction novel initially because of my youthful fascination with learning about the Holocaust. However, as I picked it up throughout the years, and especially during times of extreme strife in my life, it kept on taking on new meanings. Passages from the book stood out to me more depending on where I was in my life. I love this book. I pick it up every few years and feel like I'm reading something new. There's not many books I can do that with, but "Man's Search for Meaning" is certainly one of them. A true masterpiece.
I never really thought about the meaning of life until I saw my father lifeless two years ago. It rocked me to my core. I have a hard time now deciphering whether or not I should care about anything.
Life is neutral, which seems indifferent at first but I see it more as inclusive and non discriminative. The sun will continue to shine, creation will continue to provide. Take your time to heal, don't force it, and when you are ready, you will find the rush of joy that comes from simply being alive once again.
Find something to fight for. There are many people that can benefit from your existence, you matter to at least some people and could matter to a lot more :).
What a wonderful answer to the 'meaning of life'. The best I have heard to date, partly because it is so practical, 'it changes in time and space'. I was always searching for the one defining answer, there is none. I can live comfortably with what you have described and can now listen to people like Neil Tyson Degrasse and not feel totally insignificant in the immense galaxy before us, or at least enjoy the slide up and back! Thank you for this gift.
Have you considered that meaning is not an objective construct? Meaning is not present in reality with no conscious observers, neither is functionality or purpose or reason. This means the answer to ‘what is the meaning of life?’ has no connection to anything external or beyond that of the conscious observers, and hence it is those observers that are entirely in charge of determining meaning. This means we have full logical right to claim that the meaning of life is what those conscious living observers declare the meaning to be, as they are entirely in charge of meaning. Basically, the meaning of life is what you make it, what you choose the meaning to be.
Fantastic book, attitude is everything, you always have the chance to choose one's own attitude, one's own way no matter what the circumstances you find yourself in.
Great podcast Lex ! One of my favorite presenters. Really enjoy the questions you ask, the way you ask them and this was a really really awesome guest, I've watched a few with him. I love how you know when to speak and never ruin the flow of the conversation. Amazing.
The answer was deeply profound. Meaning is what you make you it essentially. I think i will live with this realization from this moment forward. Thank you
I love your answer, Andrew! It gives me great peace to hear another person voice the belief that I have regarding finding meaning. There is meaning in a time and space. But that time and space changes as do the meanings. Knowing that, opens up limitless meanings in one’s lifetime. And the capacity to carry those meanings with you after they no longer are relevant in your current space, simply because of the respect of what the meaning was during its time. Similar to carrying a respectful memory of a failed marriage/relationship in high regard for what it was at that given point in time. Life continually changes :)
Good clip. I find his idea of a "space-time bubble" helpful. Sometimes, perhaps most times, a crisis might be inflated within the mind because a person's space-time bubble has become too small. An event or experience becomes too imbued with meaning because of its immediacy. I think many suicides occur due to a person's inability to manage their sense of perspective.
A lot of people when asked about the meaning of life respond instead to the question of "how can I feel life is meaningful". The meaning of life, or another way to put it, the purpose of life, exists even if you do not experience it. It is like asking what is the objective of chess. There is a clear answer to that, even if you can actually find meaning in losing the game or doing crazy moves just for the fun of it. Similarly, you can find meaning in life in almost anything, but that does not mean that your actions are aligned with the ultimate purpose and meaning of life itself. One way to come closer to answer that, is to ask yourself, what will have value when you die, and what has true value even now.
No. That is YOUR purpose. You cannot delegate to other people what their purpose is. Not everyone has those same religious, cultural, or spiritual beliefs system that you have. This is a huge world, with many different types of people on the planet. Please don't be so selfish as to think that your way is the only right way for everyone. You'll find there are many more people who will disagree with those specific words that you preach. Allow others to find their own sense of purpose. Telling others what to believe is the fastest way to turn someone off to what you're saying.
Beautiful. It's all about being present by way of taking the obstacles/challenges you face and trying to see the light in them. Be present by integrating that awareness and you will learn to be content- which is the true source of happiness. Develop perspective and hold yourself accountable through this journey of life. Be in control of your dopamine pathways by tapping into your parasympathetic nervous system via mindfulness. Take integrate this intrinsic ownership into your experiences and in that, you will find the beauty of life and who "you" are. much love
Great response - I really respect both of these great minds, but want to offer this: As Dr. Frankl taught, there are many ways to discover meaning in life, but "self-transcendence" - rising above ourselves in service of others or a cause greater than ourselves, is one of the 'highest' paths to meaning. Or, as he said, "the meaning of my life is to help others discover meaning" - much like Lex & Dr. Huberman do here.
Wonderful comment, and so true. This is such a universal feeling as well. Any sort of spiritual, religious, self-help group carries this basic tenet. I found the same purpose through a 12-step group, in which the purpose of the steps ultimate goal is to have a spiritual awakening and then seek out others to be an example so they can have a spiritual awakening (recovery) as well, and so on...
Relative to who ? If someone likes to spend their life watching paint dry vs someone who likes to spend life partying vs someone who likes to spend time at soup kitchens ? Are all of these the same thing. Is the meaning relative ?
The question of "the meaning of life" continues to be plagued by equivocation, especially the word "meaning." It can mean intent/purpose, value, definition. For most people I get the sense that when they're asking about the meaning of life they're implying there is some purpose or destiny to be discovered. I like that Andrew has focused on the value aspect of meaning in his response. But I still believe the better question is: What does it mean to be human?
A Question to Self: What is the purpose of life? We hear that question asked a lot. After a short thought or two, many will answer with something like “to find happiness”, “enjoy what life has to offer”, or “to raise a family”. These things and similar pursuits, are all fine and dandy. But is that really the PURPOSE of life? And what if the answers go a bit deeper? Do we get closer to a real purpose? Perhaps we are all living to: “serve others”, or deeper still, to “train our souls through the trials and tribulations of 3rd dimensional reality”. Ok so… then what? Our purpose then is to exist for entities/in dimensions other than our own? Seems like a definitional contradiction of ‘being’. To us: we wake up everyday. Spend time putting food and water into our bodies, exercising, and sleeping - so we can continue waking up. Repeat. We spend most of our time doing some kind of productive activity, that creates some amount of value for others (so that they can continue waking up), and receive resources in return - so that we can provide the things we need for our own sustained survival. Along the way, many of us choose to reproduce, bringing a new soul onto earth, so that it may experience this circuitous routine for daily survival. Interesting that these souls, in their human form, (usually) look and act a lot like us… Is this just a significant and lasting stroke to our ever present egos? Or something we do to ‘kill time’? Or could it be something our society ‘forces’ upon us? Subconsciously, subliminally? Then one day, we all die. And our children follow in our footsteps. In the cycle of human existence. With the purpose of…? Maybe our purpose is to ‘explore’ our physical reality? Visit space times other than the one we were born into? Colonize other revolving rocks in the infinite universe and… repeat the circuitous cycle of breathing, sleeping, dreaming. What if our purpose is “spiritual and physical ascension”? A kind of escape from quite literally, the world as we’ve known it to be? A return to our true home, in a place where there is no time, no space, only energy and love? Yes, that must be the purpose of life… to escape life as we know it. To transcend all that is; to exist in the ether; to be nothing, and everything, at the same time. Now. Get back to work.
seems questions always ends up where it started, interesting to think about, a fun mental game we play against ourselves:) yes i escape reality by doing music and art, it feels great
I think about huberman's take on Man's search for meaning constantly and their is nothing I can agree with more, the way at which we view the world is based off the frame we view it by. I struggled with the prospect of if life is meanless or so incredibly full of beauty and meaning and for the most part life is what you make out of it
A very important and thoughtful response to an eternal question. Thank you. Charlie Munger also answered this question: Knowing that in the end we don’t win, we still have to make this time here matter [paraphrased].
I read this book. It’s a good one, no doubt. At times…it is explosively poignant, really. You just can’t help but feel for those captured souls whose subjected to inhumane conditions and cruelty.
The allegory of moving up and down the staircase is reminiscent of Jacob's dream of angels going up and down the staircase in the point of his life where everything was falling apart
I have to watch the full interview with Andrew. Love everyone of these clips. The 'staircase' is a wonderful conceptualization of pondering the meaning of existence. On a micro level this is my world of computer science or IT application building. I manage this from task to task. Into the minutiae of syntax and object element values then out to the interrelations and flows of connected puzzle pieces. One of the most valued gifts bestowed through the mind/brain to human beings .
Thanks for the video! Frankl was such a powerful & introspective person - I reference him in the last video my channel on overcoming racism! I hope videos like ours inspire people out there.
You can tell Andrew really clung to dilating and contracting of meaning demonstrated in Frankl's book when he reflects on what his meaning was in the camp (waiting for the next meal, trying to not fall out of line) to his meaning as he lectured on his experience in a clean, comfy University lecture all.
Interesting perspective. My way of expressing it is that there is not one "me", but many, so there can't be just one meaning for life. Inside us "we are legion": multiple genes, multiple memes -in Dawkins sense-, multiple organs, multiple mind structures, each one with their goals and frustrations. Anyone with little meditation training can feel "I am" the sufferer, the dictator, the actor, or the space where all of that happens, or even the universe itself. And no "me" is truer or more important than the other. So managing oneself feels to me more like being a coach of a team than anything else. Even so, emergence of life is proof that there is an overarching direction in the universe towards "increase posibilities + minimize energy/suffering", that proudly rebels against the default relaxation into entropy, a directon that walks towards "The Mystery", the unknown potential, rather than the well known future of just letting go in the hands of entropy which is plain death. So when confronted between the known and certain death, or the effort of keeping up to see if The Mystery have some hidden surprise in the sleeve, I'd try to listen to Trinity in the car talking to Neo "You know that road, you know exactly where it ends, and I know it's not where you want to be".
you are confusing happiness with meaning. For example take someone who suffered alot but also made alot of donations. Now take someone who parties alot but doesnt make any donations. One has happiness in life but the other has more meaning in life,
@@Yameen200 Happiness is just a state of mind, both your examples can be happiness. My point is about having the hapiness through purpose, and being able to enjoy that happiness most of the time rather then just the short lived moments.
@@Bling92 yeah u right we do need purpose to become happy but when people talk about meaning or meaning of life they arent talking about what stuff makes people happy or whats good for their wellbeing. So take X who makes alot of donations but only lived till 30 didnt get too party or do exciting things whereas Z lived much longer but their life was more hedonistic over altrusitic. X didnt get all the pleasure or happiness they would have liked. So Z lived a happy life but X lived a more meaningful life. The literature on this field says that meaning comes from giving whilst happiness comes from taking.
This is an interesting perspective. Not one to find meaning in (seemingly) little things, but to also have the perspective to see the meaningless in the (seemingly) big things. Thusly, a casual conversation with one’s mother or daughter, for example, can become a precious moment of presence and love. Conversely, a moment of embarrassment or stage fright or anger, for example, which may feel world-ending and dreadful in the moment, can become a much less negatively significant event if we have the perspective to see that it is not all that meaningful in the grand scheme of things. This is not to say that one should belittle one’s emotions and experiences, but that there is benefit to having this fluid dance between perspectives as a guiding force for a more balanced life.
It's a juggle not a constant and it evolves/devolves with you. So quit feeling guilty about not realizing your goals when you were younger because you haven't fully realized your goals for your future self now either
Although it is an interesting answer I don't think it matches well with Frankl's philosophy. He thought about meaning of life more as our responsibility to answer the lifes questions (problems, events, conversations) on a daily (if not hourly) basis and look for meaning in them despite our initial judgment of them; and not as shifting our attention up and down some imaginary staircase of being.
My personal take on nihilism is that it's akin to wanting to watch a movie or TV program, but then after searching many hours through all the choices -- nothing catching your fancy -- instead, now, you just get pissed off, claim that there isn't anything at all on, and end up watching nothing, then. As is life, and humanity's experience, given far too many choices!
Our Professors loved this book probably because some were Jewish. It was an interesting read. Personally loved Jared Diamonds Collapse and Our Inner Ape by Frans De Waal. Evolution for everyone was dope too!
I've never been able to figure out the "meaning" of life, but I've read that the "purpose" of life is to survive. All living beings will do anything to survive, except suicidal people.
I don't know if any of us ever end up finding the meaning of life. I believe the constant searching is where we learn about ourselves and other people; it's how we find our purpose, how we find out what we were put on this planet to do. Of course, those purposes can change throughout the years, depending on our experiences and changes in interests. As a kid, I was never one of those people who absolutely knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, so I kind of floated around aimlessly for quite a few years, not knowing what I had a passion for. I felt like a rudderless boat. However, through many terrible choices, and some severe consequences and lots of pain, I have developed many different passions. I never actually figured out what I wanted to be when I grew up, but at least I know what makes me happy. Apologies for the long response on an old comment, I just felt a connection with your post. 😊
“Ultimately, man should not ask what the meaning of his life is, but rather he must recognize that it is he who is asked.” -Viktor Frankl
I was thinking this very thought today. That I’m supposed to decide what my life means
I don’t understand
@@martineden7075 I'm having trouble too. I don't really get it
Also Frankl would say 'meaning' is a byproduct
@@kaapenfib3092 Why ask a question that you are being asked yourself? The question, “What is the meaning of life?” is not for you to ask, but is the question life asks you.
I love that this answer is raised in every podcast! Someone should make a compilation.
Totally agree
Can you give me a name of a guest that had the same answer ? Would love to watch another one
@@WARSfate Almost all of them do. Maybe start with Alex Fillipenko, Richard Dawkins, or Sara Seager.
@@WARSfate I loved this response from Manolis Kellis
th-cam.com/video/FIseFqFv7Uc/w-d-xo.html
The part where the girl says "Become One" was so good!
On it.
Lex is just an impressive man. I look up to him. Highly intelligent yet Humble, soft spoken, respectful. We need more examples like him today.
"Man's Search for Meaning" is one of those books I can read countless times throughout my life and depending on my state of mind, I can learn something new with every read. I remember the first time I read Frankl's book, I was 14 years old and had a very surface level understanding of who I was as a person, so I only read the first section that discussed his experiences in the camps. I read it like it was a fiction novel initially because of my youthful fascination with learning about the Holocaust. However, as I picked it up throughout the years, and especially during times of extreme strife in my life, it kept on taking on new meanings. Passages from the book stood out to me more depending on where I was in my life. I love this book. I pick it up every few years and feel like I'm reading something new. There's not many books I can do that with, but "Man's Search for Meaning" is certainly one of them. A true masterpiece.
Preciate u sharing
I never really thought about the meaning of life until I saw my father lifeless two years ago. It rocked me to my core. I have a hard time now deciphering whether or not I should care about anything.
Life is neutral, which seems indifferent at first but I see it more as inclusive and non discriminative. The sun will continue to shine, creation will continue to provide. Take your time to heal, don't force it, and when you are ready, you will find the rush of joy that comes from simply being alive once again.
Memento morí. Think about your own dead to enjoy life right now. That means all you love to do and the people you love to be with.
Don't be afraid to get help for depression and grief
Seems we lost our fathers at the same time. Not a good time. 1-star. Would not recommend.
Find something to fight for. There are many people that can benefit from your existence, you matter to at least some people and could matter to a lot more :).
What a wonderful answer to the 'meaning of life'. The best I have heard to date, partly because it is so practical, 'it changes in time and space'. I was always searching for the one defining answer, there is none. I can live comfortably with what you have described and can now listen to people like Neil Tyson Degrasse and not feel totally insignificant in the immense galaxy before us, or at least enjoy the slide up and back! Thank you for this gift.
Have you considered that meaning is not an objective construct? Meaning is not present in reality with no conscious observers, neither is functionality or purpose or reason. This means the answer to ‘what is the meaning of life?’ has no connection to anything external or beyond that of the conscious observers, and hence it is those observers that are entirely in charge of determining meaning. This means we have full logical right to claim that the meaning of life is what those conscious living observers declare the meaning to be, as they are entirely in charge of meaning. Basically, the meaning of life is what you make it, what you choose the meaning to be.
What a wonderful mind to listen to
Fantastic book, attitude is everything, you always have the chance to choose one's own attitude, one's own way no matter what the circumstances you find yourself in.
This blew me away, I feel lucky to have come across this video. Thank you both.
"The dance of dilation and contraction of meaning" - what a succinct way to look about what is essentially all life.
"That which does not kill me, makes me stronger"
-Nietzsche
"Man's search for meaning" is a book dear to me. It is a must-read.
Lex, you have a great intuition for choosing guests and topics.
I've never heard it said like that before, but I can relate for sure. Great answer!
Lex is a human treasure.
Great podcast Lex ! One of my favorite presenters. Really enjoy the questions you ask, the way you ask them and this was a really really awesome guest, I've watched a few with him. I love how you know when to speak and never ruin the flow of the conversation. Amazing.
The answer was deeply profound. Meaning is what you make you it essentially. I think i will live with this realization from this moment forward. Thank you
no you won't. I doubt you remembered this 1 year after. your context and state changed again. Which is actually the point.
Wow!! Amazing answer! Brought so much clarity! Unbelievable
I've been going up and down that ladder all my life. What a beautiful way of explaining this perspective
I love your answer, Andrew! It gives me great peace to hear another person voice the belief that I have regarding finding meaning. There is meaning in a time and space. But that time and space changes as do the meanings. Knowing that, opens up limitless meanings in one’s lifetime. And the capacity to carry those meanings with you after they no longer are relevant in your current space, simply because of the respect of what the meaning was during its time. Similar to carrying a respectful memory of a failed marriage/relationship in high regard for what it was at that given point in time. Life continually changes :)
Up and down the staircase from macro to micro. Love it
The Meaning of life is to Enjoy ourselves! Simple as that, think about it.
Good clip. I find his idea of a "space-time bubble" helpful. Sometimes, perhaps most times, a crisis might be inflated within the mind because a person's space-time bubble has become too small. An event or experience becomes too imbued with meaning because of its immediacy. I think many suicides occur due to a person's inability to manage their sense of perspective.
Thank you so much for the beautiful answer!
One of THE greatest books I've ever read
The last remaining freedom is always our ability to choose,no matter what . A great way to explain how to live in the moment
It's so amazing how you can make this.....make sense. Love it
Excellent words!
Loved this book, Man’s Search for Meaning. Saw Victor Frankel at my university years back where he spoke. It was fascinating. Suffolk University.
I really loved this, it's a wonderful way of putting it.
A lot of people when asked about the meaning of life respond instead to the question of "how can I feel life is meaningful". The meaning of life, or another way to put it, the purpose of life, exists even if you do not experience it. It is like asking what is the objective of chess. There is a clear answer to that, even if you can actually find meaning in losing the game or doing crazy moves just for the fun of it. Similarly, you can find meaning in life in almost anything, but that does not mean that your actions are aligned with the ultimate purpose and meaning of life itself. One way to come closer to answer that, is to ask yourself, what will have value when you die, and what has true value even now.
I needed this, thanks
I truly want to meet Dr. Huberman in the flesh before I die..
Meeting Lex would be pretty cool too.. but my heart is privy to Dr. Huberman..
One of the best clips in the internet
It’s the wrong question. The better question is the purpose of life? To serve God and serve others. Only that will bring meaning❤
No. That is YOUR purpose. You cannot delegate to other people what their purpose is. Not everyone has those same religious, cultural, or spiritual beliefs system that you have. This is a huge world, with many different types of people on the planet. Please don't be so selfish as to think that your way is the only right way for everyone. You'll find there are many more people who will disagree with those specific words that you preach. Allow others to find their own sense of purpose. Telling others what to believe is the fastest way to turn someone off to what you're saying.
Beautiful. It's all about being present by way of taking the obstacles/challenges you face and trying to see the light in them. Be present by integrating that awareness and you will learn to be content- which is the true source of happiness. Develop perspective and hold yourself accountable through this journey of life. Be in control of your dopamine pathways by tapping into your parasympathetic nervous system via mindfulness. Take integrate this intrinsic ownership into your experiences and in that, you will find the beauty of life and who "you" are. much love
Well put
This man is extremely inspiring
Yes. In weird times, I thank god for people with clear, unwavering vision.
Very well said!
We must look for meaning in the right place. When we find it, we have a life that belongs to us.
What a wonderful answer.
Great response - I really respect both of these great minds, but want to offer this: As Dr. Frankl taught, there are many ways to discover meaning in life, but "self-transcendence" - rising above ourselves in service of others or a cause greater than ourselves, is one of the 'highest' paths to meaning. Or, as he said, "the meaning of my life is to help others discover meaning" - much like Lex & Dr. Huberman do here.
Wonderful comment, and so true. This is such a universal feeling as well. Any sort of spiritual, religious, self-help group carries this basic tenet. I found the same purpose through a 12-step group, in which the purpose of the steps ultimate goal is to have a spiritual awakening and then seek out others to be an example so they can have a spiritual awakening (recovery) as well, and so on...
Really interesting take!
Meaning is relative. Brilliant.
Relative to who ? If someone likes to spend their life watching paint dry vs someone who likes to spend life partying vs someone who likes to spend time at soup kitchens ? Are all of these the same thing. Is the meaning relative ?
Life is a Near-death experience and it comes Nearer Each passing time.
This really is a very beautiful answer to this question.
That's was the best answer I've ever heard to that question.
Excellent answer, which can be understood. I will zoom out now from writing, and prepare for another snowstorm.
I always struggle to find balance between this two extremes. It’s exhausting. Now I’m liking this back and forth trip on the staircase ideas.
Man I've loved that book for so long. Really need to reread it.
deeply fascinating and an unexpected answer. Andrew Huberman is a deep fella. (as well as Lex, of course)
The question of "the meaning of life" continues to be plagued by equivocation, especially the word "meaning." It can mean intent/purpose, value, definition. For most people I get the sense that when they're asking about the meaning of life they're implying there is some purpose or destiny to be discovered. I like that Andrew has focused on the value aspect of meaning in his response.
But I still believe the better question is: What does it mean to be human?
A Question to Self:
What is the purpose of life? We hear that question asked a lot. After a short thought or two, many will answer with something like “to find happiness”, “enjoy what life has to offer”, or “to raise a family”.
These things and similar pursuits, are all fine and dandy. But is that really the PURPOSE of life?
And what if the answers go a bit deeper? Do we get closer to a real purpose?
Perhaps we are all living to: “serve others”, or deeper still, to “train our souls through the trials and tribulations of 3rd dimensional reality”. Ok so… then what? Our purpose then is to exist for entities/in dimensions other than our own? Seems like a definitional contradiction of ‘being’.
To us: we wake up everyday. Spend time putting food and water into our bodies, exercising, and sleeping - so we can continue waking up. Repeat.
We spend most of our time doing some kind of productive activity, that creates some amount of value for others (so that they can continue waking up), and receive resources in return - so that we can provide the things we need for our own sustained survival.
Along the way, many of us choose to reproduce, bringing a new soul onto earth, so that it may experience this circuitous routine for daily survival. Interesting that these souls, in their human form, (usually) look and act a lot like us… Is this just a significant and lasting stroke to our ever present egos? Or something we do to ‘kill time’? Or could it be something our society ‘forces’ upon us? Subconsciously, subliminally?
Then one day, we all die. And our children follow in our footsteps. In the cycle of human existence. With the purpose of…?
Maybe our purpose is to ‘explore’ our physical reality? Visit space times other than the one we were born into? Colonize other revolving rocks in the infinite universe and… repeat the circuitous cycle of breathing, sleeping, dreaming.
What if our purpose is “spiritual and physical ascension”? A kind of escape from quite literally, the world as we’ve known it to be? A return to our true home, in a place where there is no time, no space, only energy and love?
Yes, that must be the purpose of life… to escape life as we know it. To transcend all that is; to exist in the ether; to be nothing, and everything, at the same time.
Now. Get back to work.
seems questions always ends up where it started, interesting to think about, a fun mental game we play against ourselves:) yes i escape reality by doing music and art, it feels great
What a great visual answer! Thanks, Andrew & Lex for the question.
Do something that you know you're good at in order to feel useful (not necessarily your passion)
this is the best anwser ive seen for the question in all episodes i've watched
“Fear God and keep his commandments for this is the whole duty of man”
-Ecclesiastes
I think about huberman's take on Man's search for meaning constantly and their is nothing I can agree with more, the way at which we view the world is based off the frame we view it by. I struggled with the prospect of if life is meanless or so incredibly full of beauty and meaning and for the most part life is what you make out of it
Listening to this while looking out at some yellow-blue contrast in the sky.
A very important and thoughtful response to an eternal question. Thank you. Charlie Munger also answered this question: Knowing that in the end we don’t win, we still have to make this time here matter [paraphrased].
I read this book.
It’s a good one, no doubt.
At times…it is explosively poignant, really.
You just can’t help but feel for those captured souls whose subjected to inhumane conditions and cruelty.
Life is not done with you yet lex keep it moving!
The essential new idea is that the purpose of life is the creation of consciousness.
- E. Edinger, Creation of Consciousness, Page 17
Nice synchronicity, I was just thinking about Jung s ideas, then saw your comment:)
@@ineffige Cool man! TH-cam was being wonky and the original quote didn't show up in my comment.
We are to give life meaning individually and collectively
The allegory of moving up and down the staircase is reminiscent of Jacob's dream of angels going up and down the staircase in the point of his life where everything was falling apart
I have to watch the full interview with Andrew. Love everyone of these clips. The 'staircase' is a wonderful conceptualization of pondering the meaning of existence. On a micro level this is my world of computer science or IT application building. I manage this from task to task. Into the minutiae of syntax and object element values then out to the interrelations and flows of connected puzzle pieces. One of the most valued gifts bestowed through the mind/brain to human beings .
Thanks for the video! Frankl was such a powerful & introspective person - I reference him in the last video my channel on overcoming racism! I hope videos like ours inspire people out there.
Well done! An great articulation of where I have also ended up. With some rock climbing and Zen Buddhist influence :)
You can tell Andrew really clung to dilating and contracting of meaning demonstrated in Frankl's book when he reflects on what his meaning was in the camp (waiting for the next meal, trying to not fall out of line) to his meaning as he lectured on his experience in a clean, comfy University lecture all.
Interesting perspective. My way of expressing it is that there is not one "me", but many, so there can't be just one meaning for life. Inside us "we are legion": multiple genes, multiple memes -in Dawkins sense-, multiple organs, multiple mind structures, each one with their goals and frustrations. Anyone with little meditation training can feel "I am" the sufferer, the dictator, the actor, or the space where all of that happens, or even the universe itself. And no "me" is truer or more important than the other. So managing oneself feels to me more like being a coach of a team than anything else.
Even so, emergence of life is proof that there is an overarching direction in the universe towards "increase posibilities + minimize energy/suffering", that proudly rebels against the default relaxation into entropy, a directon that walks towards "The Mystery", the unknown potential, rather than the well known future of just letting go in the hands of entropy which is plain death.
So when confronted between the known and certain death, or the effort of keeping up to see if The Mystery have some hidden surprise in the sleeve, I'd try to listen to Trinity in the car talking to Neo "You know that road, you know exactly where it ends, and I know it's not where you want to be".
This was beautiful
There isnt one meaning, all of us find purpose through whatever gives us enthusiasm to wake up everyday which gives us meaning to our lives
you are confusing happiness with meaning. For example take someone who suffered alot but also made alot of donations. Now take someone who parties alot but doesnt make any donations. One has happiness in life but the other has more meaning in life,
@@Yameen200 Happiness is just a state of mind, both your examples can be happiness. My point is about having the hapiness through purpose, and being able to enjoy that happiness most of the time rather then just the short lived moments.
@@Bling92 yeah u right we do need purpose to become happy but when people talk about meaning or meaning of life they arent talking about what stuff makes people happy or whats good for their wellbeing. So take X who makes alot of donations but only lived till 30 didnt get too party or do exciting things whereas Z lived much longer but their life was more hedonistic over altrusitic. X didnt get all the pleasure or happiness they would have liked.
So Z lived a happy life but X lived a more meaningful life. The literature on this field says that meaning comes from giving whilst happiness comes from taking.
Never thought about it like that
This is an interesting perspective. Not one to find meaning in (seemingly) little things, but to also have the perspective to see the meaningless in the (seemingly) big things.
Thusly, a casual conversation with one’s mother or daughter, for example, can become a precious moment of presence and love. Conversely, a moment of embarrassment or stage fright or anger, for example, which may feel world-ending and dreadful in the moment, can become a much less negatively significant event if we have the perspective to see that it is not all that meaningful in the grand scheme of things. This is not to say that one should belittle one’s emotions and experiences, but that there is benefit to having this fluid dance between perspectives as a guiding force for a more balanced life.
It's a juggle not a constant and it evolves/devolves with you. So quit feeling guilty about not realizing your goals when you were younger because you haven't fully realized your goals for your future self now either
The dance of dilation and contraction. What a beautiful idea.
Life has no meaning
We give meaning in life
Viktor Frankl
Fascinating
Lex from the future growing a beard can't trick me.
woah! that's a beautiful answer.
Bravo Andrew!!!!!!!!
Yay! 💫 Stadium Stairs. 😁
I like looking at things in a more simple way. As for the meaning of life, it is just to live.
Really good
That’s suuuch a goood perspective!!! It’s an actual mind fck!! 😲
It makes sense.
Although it is an interesting answer I don't think it matches well with Frankl's philosophy. He thought about meaning of life more as our responsibility to answer the lifes questions (problems, events, conversations) on a daily (if not hourly) basis and look for meaning in them despite our initial judgment of them; and not as shifting our attention up and down some imaginary staircase of being.
Find inner peace and you will find the true meaning of life...
What d name of book
Man’s Search for Meaning.
amazing
My personal take on nihilism is that it's akin to wanting to watch a movie or TV program, but then after searching many hours through all the choices -- nothing catching your fancy -- instead, now, you just get pissed off, claim that there isn't anything at all on, and end up watching nothing, then. As is life, and humanity's experience, given far too many choices!
Our Professors loved this book probably because some were Jewish. It was an interesting read. Personally loved Jared Diamonds Collapse and Our Inner Ape by Frans De Waal. Evolution for everyone was dope too!
Meaning is what we map onto the world - an illusion and temporary
The best answer to this question I have heard so far.
Why?
The meaning of life is to travel up and down Jacob’s ladder, that connects Heaven and Earth. Interesting and wonderful answer.
This is beautiful
I've never been able to figure out the "meaning" of life, but I've read that the "purpose" of life is to survive. All living beings will do anything to survive, except suicidal people.
I don't know if any of us ever end up finding the meaning of life. I believe the constant searching is where we learn about ourselves and other people; it's how we find our purpose, how we find out what we were put on this planet to do. Of course, those purposes can change throughout the years, depending on our experiences and changes in interests. As a kid, I was never one of those people who absolutely knew what I wanted to be when I grew up, so I kind of floated around aimlessly for quite a few years, not knowing what I had a passion for. I felt like a rudderless boat. However, through many terrible choices, and some severe consequences and lots of pain, I have developed many different passions. I never actually figured out what I wanted to be when I grew up, but at least I know what makes me happy. Apologies for the long response on an old comment, I just felt a connection with your post. 😊
Blessings
"Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God."
Corrie Ten Boom
3:50
I Wouldve like to hear Yaron Brooks opinion to Victor Frankel
You mean Victoh Fwankul?
“Pale blue dot thing” 😂 any Physicist here?