The meaning of life seems to be a question that is inextricably linked with the idea of faith and religion. However, in this current age, fuelled and arguably, created by technology the question has now become more so a debate between faith and knowledge as the provider of substance and assurances in the world. This essay is not providing a definite answer, for there is no single answer, however, it does examine the differing perspectives on what provides true meaning of life. Perhaps the true meaning of life is not held in the balance of either/or, but rather the meaning is located in melding both faith and science. Exploring the works of Carniero (2013), Camus (1955), Thagard (2010) and Lurie (2006) who all present a myriad of explanations
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Pairing this with rapidly increasing globalisation and the expansion of the internet, leading to what would be considered an information overload has led to human beings, now more than ever, to seek direction and meaning. Carniero (2013) rightly proposes that knowledge is the foundation, or arguably, is the answer to the meaning of life. Extending on this notion; he establishes that educational institutions act as the hub for liberating the human mind in this age of, one could argue, as excessive information and knowledge. Being curious by nature it would be surprise to assume that consuming and giving knowledge is the true meaning of life, however, whether this passing and gaining of knowledge provides fulfilment like faith does is debateable/contentious. For example, Camus (1955), well known for his dissection of the Myth of Sisyphus establishes that human beings need to accept their fate, and by accepting this fate, they become free in their own right. Freed from the absurdity of the futility that is life, Camus (1955) indicates that Sisyphus’ duty is his life meaning. One could argue that Tom Cooper in Interstellar is a modern day Sisyphus. He farms for most his life, even though the crops are slowly being destroyed, he accepts his fate, which in turn provides him a duty to farm, which when completed, gives him a sense of fulfilment in a world that is physically dying and is subsequently losing material and intellectual substance. However, to believe the menial aspects of life and accepting it is the meaning of our life seems rather cumbersome, not well thought out, it would make more sense that humans were brought to Earth to learn more than ever before, to make a difference to the world, to evolve. Reading Carniero (2013) one might assume that he is simply stating that knowledge is the meaning of life, which is true
Pairing this with rapidly increasing globalisation and the expansion of the internet, leading to what would be considered an information overload has led to human beings, now more than ever, to seek direction and meaning. Carniero (2013) rightly proposes that knowledge is the foundation, or arguably, is the answer to the meaning of life. Extending on this notion; he establishes that educational institutions act as the hub for liberating the human mind in this age of, one could argue, as excessive information and knowledge. Being curious by nature it would be surprise to assume that consuming and giving knowledge is the true meaning of life, however, whether this passing and gaining of knowledge provides fulfilment like faith does is debateable/contentious. For example, Camus (1955), well known for his dissection of the Myth of Sisyphus establishes that human beings need to accept their fate, and by accepting this fate, they become free in their own right. Freed from the absurdity of the futility that is life, Camus (1955) indicates that Sisyphus’ duty is his life meaning. One could argue that Tom Cooper in Interstellar is a modern day Sisyphus. He farms for most his life, even though the crops are slowly being destroyed, he accepts his fate, which in turn provides him a duty to farm, which when completed, gives him a sense of fulfilment in a world that is physically dying and is subsequently losing material and intellectual substance. However, to believe the menial aspects of life and accepting it is the meaning of our life seems rather cumbersome, not well thought out, it would make more sense that humans were brought to Earth to learn more than ever before, to make a difference to the world, to evolve. Reading Carniero (2013) one might assume that he is simply stating that knowledge is the meaning of life, which is true