What is the meaning of life?

What is the Meaning of Life?

“I hope life isn't a big joke, because I don't get it”- Jack Handey. Over the decades, society has changed; however, one thing that has not changed is questioning the meaning of life. Why are we here? What is the purpose of living? What is life all about? Humans ask themselves these kinds of questions every day. Since ancient cultures, we have questioned the meaning of life. Ancient Greek philosophers spent their whole life trying to explain the questions that are always on our mind. What is life and what is its meaning?

Many Greek philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle along with others have made their mark in history by trying to give a reasonable explanation on the meaning of life. However, as time changes, the theories have changed. 

“The unexamined life is not worth living.” Socrates is one of the greatest philosophers from ancient Greek culture; furthermore, he tried to understand the meaning of life by observing people and their daily activities. According to Socrates, people should always question why we as humans do the things we do. In addition, he tried to explain that life is not just about living. He explains that every person has a purpose in life. As humans, we need to have a purpose with something worth living for. He believed that people did not understand what words like love and friendship really meant. However, even when we do not really know the meanings of those words, we all have a purpose that involves those kinds of feelings. 

Another great philosopher who tried to understand the meaning of life was Plato. Plato was known to be Socrates student. However, he had a different perspective on the simple question that has been running through our mind since the early years. He thought that the purpose of life and the reason that why life exists is because we as humans have to acquire knowledge of the things that are good. All humans need to find and hunt the good things, not anything bad. Many scientists believe Plato thought that if a person does not pursue the good things in life then there is no meaning in life.

Aristotle once said, “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.” The purpose in life is to find happiness, to fulfill the space, and to make the correct choices to live a full life and to fulfill ourselves with the things that make us human. Aristotle was Plato’s student; however, from my point of view, he expanded Plato’s point of view about the meaning of life and changed it. He tried to explain that life is all about living, and in other words having something in life that is worth living for and that makes us happy. 

In today’s society, the meaning of life is still questioned by people. However, today we think that the meaning of life involves following the correct path, in other words doing good things. Another meaning of life is having a family. This is one of the greatest meanings for people. Following dreams and fulfilling what is desire for our lives. The meaning of life for people today can be explain as has having something in life worth living and fighting for, such as happiness.

In conclusion, the meaning of life may have changed in some aspect but for the most part, it is still the same. Philosophes like Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle had a great point of view on this topic. For them the meaning of life involves having a purpose of living, following the right path, and gaining knowledge. Aristotle put all the pieces together and explained that happiness and looking for what we want is the real meaning of life. As humans, we have changed the words that we use to describe life, but even though the words we use are different, the meaning in them is still the same. Plato once said that life is about living it, finding happiness, and finding something worth dying for.