Edited by David Warden
Christians are taught to believe that life without God is meaningless and they use this belief as a rhetorical strategy in evangelism. Having read Julian Baggini's and Terry Eagleton's books on the meaning of life, I now respond to Christians by agreeing that there is no “ultimate” or “cosmic” meaning of life but that human life can be richly meaningful because of our relationships and the purposes we pursue. We exist in an intricate web of meaning and, for the time we are here, we contribute to the ongoing story of humanity.
For the sake of speed, I asked ChatGPT to produce these reviews for me, which I then lightly edited. But you have to be careful with ChatGPT. When I asked it to suggest books with the title “Why do we exist?” it invented two books which do not exist. When I queried this, it admitted that it must have made a “mistake”.
What's it all about? Julian Baggini
The philosopher Julian Baggini (born in 1968) is well-known to humanists in the UK. His 2004 book, What’s It All About? Philosophy and the Meaning of Life delves into the age-old question of what gives life meaning from a philosophical standpoint. Baggini approaches the topic with a sceptical and analytical mindset, examining various philosophical arguments and perspectives to provide a well-rounded exploration of life’s meaning.
Baggini challenges answers to the question offered by religion (typically, that the meaning of life is to worship your creator) or nihilism (that existence is ultimately pointless). He argues against the idea that there is a single, objective meaning to life that applies universally, whether derived from a divine source or found in existential despair. The book draws from a wide range of philosophical traditions, from existentialism to analytic philosophy, examining what various thinkers – such as Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, Ludwig Wittgenstein, and others – have said about the meaning of life. Baggini analyses how these diverse views contribute to the broader discussion.
Baggini suggests that meaning is not something given or externally imposed but rather something that individuals must create for themselves. He emphasises that meaning is found through engagement with life – through relationships, projects, personal goals, and moral commitments. The book takes a practical approach, considering how ordinary people find meaning in their day-to-day lives. Baggini connects philosophical concepts to everyday experiences, making his inquiry relatable and accessible.
The author advocates a pluralistic understanding of life’s meaning, suggesting that multiple, coexisting answers can be valid. He argues that there is no single “correct” answer but that meaning can be derived from a variety of sources, depending on individual values and perspectives.
What’s It All About? is a thought-provoking and accessible exploration of one of philosophy’s most enduring questions. Baggini’s work encourages readers to think critically and reflectively about what gives their own lives meaning, without prescribing a definitive answer.
Terry Eagleton – The Meaning of Life
Terry Eagleton (born in 1943) is Distinguished Professor of English Literature at Lancaster University. He has a Catholic background and he was a vocal critic of the so-called "New Atheism" (Dawkins, Hitchens et al) and he sees football as a new "opium of the people", distracting ordinary people from more serious and important social concerns.
His book The Meaning of Life (2007), explores the question of life’s purpose from a philosophical, literary, and cultural perspective. In this work, he approaches the subject with his characteristic wit and clarity, challenging both the scepticism that dismisses the question as meaningless and the simplistic answers that are often proposed.
Eagleton critiques both religious and secular attempts to define the meaning of life. He addresses various philosophical arguments, including existentialism, nihilism, and the search for individual purpose, and discusses how these have shaped contemporary understandings of life’s meaning. He draws from a wide range of literary and cultural sources, from Shakespeare to Marx, to explore how different traditions and thinkers have approached the question and how literature, culture, and ideology contribute to our understanding of what makes life meaningful.
“Eagleton argues that the meaning of life is not just an individual quest but is also found in community, love, and shared human experience. He suggests that a truly meaningful life is one that contributes to the well-being of others and the common good, challenging the self-centred perspectives often found in modern culture.”
Known for his sharp wit, Eagleton writes in a style that is both accessible and humorous, making complex philosophical debates engaging for a broad audience. His work invites readers to think deeply about existential questions while remaining grounded in everyday concerns and common sense. The Meaning of Life is a thought-provoking exploration of a timeless question, blending philosophy, literature, and social critique. It offers a unique perspective that challenges readers to consider life’s meaning beyond superficial answers, and to find value in connection, community, and shared purpose.
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