Essay on The Meaning of Life Semantics Essay What is Good? Essay The Meaning Of Life Meaning Of Life

1. Essay on The Meaning of Life
The Meaning of Life
My few years on this planet have been a bit confusing. I have learned of many aspects of life from
which one can draw meaning, if indeed such meaning can be drawn. I have also learned that there
can be no singular meaning of life to stand for us all, or even any one of us. What I have learned
above all is that trying to put words to the meaning of life is a task of absolute absurdity. This is not
to be confused with the idea that life has no meaning, for life certainly has meaning. However, there
is no single meaning of life to be defined – life is different for us all. Therefore, rather than define
life for an entire planet, I shall try to explain what life means as I perceive it, and why it means so.
...show more content...
Life is a complicated twist of suffering, laughing, and learning all merging to tell a great story – or
great many stories. Based on this view, "it is not the end goal or outcome of life that gives life
meaning but rather the quality of the story, the quality with which one lives out and develops his or
her role."
At the time, this event seemed rather insignificant and did not merit remembrance. However, its
catastrophic effects on my attitude that evening may have helped to mold me into the person I have
become. I learned that suffering through such an event, as childish as it was, is quite necessary in
any life. Such pains are part of an interminable cycle and only generate balance in one's life (p. 62,
'Life as Suffering'). Despite my horrid time spent that evening, the laughter brought since the incident
is a worthy tradeoff. Laughter is an all too necessary function of life, just as suffering and the wide
range of other emotions. "Some thinkers would emphasize the importance of sophistication in
humor, but others would say that laughter itself is what is important." Whatever the case may be,
laughter is an important ingredient in life, and must not be taken for granted nor ignored.
Despite such emotional ties to life, I have also learned that life is not only about emotions. Those
emotions are generated from the chain reactions created endlessly in
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2. Semantics Essay
Language is the primary source of communication for humans and is used to convey thoughts,
feelings, intentions, and desires to others (Bonvillain 2008:1). Many rules are taken into account
when forming a language. According to Bolton, language is arbitrary and is unrepresentative of the
objects they represent (Bolton 1996: 63). The study of Semantics allows us to identify the meaning of
words and phrases in their literal sense, and helps us to make meaning out of arbitrary sounds and
phrases. It has been contributed to by both linguists and philosophers. Linguists used lexical
decomposition to understand the features that comprise words and the categories in which the words
fit. Philosophers dealt more with the meanings of sentences and...show more content...
Another occurrence is synonymy, which is when more than one word has the same meaning. An
example of this would be sick and ill. These two words both refer to feeling less than normal, but
to some these two words may have different connotations. By that I mean that some may see ill as
being worse than sick or vice versa. This can create a misunderstanding between speakers or
readers. Another example according to Parker and Riley is big and large. Referring to your sister
as big or large can make a big difference in how people view her; they could see her as being older
than you or as bigger in size (2010:30). Synonymy can also have differences based on formal and
informal settings such as the words woman and lady. This forces readers and writers of English to
choose their words carefully to make sure that the right meaning is conveyed and understood. Yet
another aspect is hyponyms. These are collections of words that go from general to specific terms.
This allows us to use terms to our liking and not necessarily in the most effective way for the
reader or listener to understand us. An example would be to say, "Please hand me a screwdriver."
This sentence is too ambiguous to elicit a precise action because there are many different types of
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3. What is Good? Essay
What is Good?
Good, a word used by all, but most not truly knowing what the true concept of good actually is.
What is good? Good, in my own understanding, entails an act or statement that is, not only morally
and perceptively correct in the eyes of others, but also in one's own eyes. There is a sense of
accomplishment; a sense of achievement felt when something good has been done. This feeling
usually does not only pertain to the individual, but also to those around him who might have
benefited in one way or another from his/her good deed or statement. It is important to note that
morals only apply to individual action and consequence. Ethics, however, apply to the actions of two
or more people. Ethics are meaningless unless...show more content...
Good can be thought of as situations in which one is found to have more pleasure in his/her life
due to the occurrence of that specific event. One can receive more pleasure in life by getting a
new job. A new job would give someone money and the opportunity to do more things that would
add pleasure to their life. An example of this in my life would be a job I just recently got in which
I am now making more money than I was at my old job. With this job, I now have more money to
do more things that will help to bring more pleasure in my life. I will never be able to do all things
that I would like to do and this is where Plato's idea of good being unattainable is demonstrated.
Something that is unachievable would seem to have different opinions based on different personal
beliefs. There are the ethical and moral stands on each issue and oneself and the people around them
determine this sense of good by acknowledging the ethical and moral standpoints and determining
what is more important to them regarding their decision. If something makes you and the people
around you happy, then what happened to cause this occurrence was good. For instance, scoring the
game–winning touchdown in a football game is good because your whole team will be happy about
that touchdown and about winning the game. Another instance of this would be talking to your best
friend after he/she just heard some bad news and cheering them up is good.
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4. The Meaning Of Life
Mehkya Wilcox
Everyone, in some form or fashion, has a desire to understand and question the purpose and
meaning of their life. In fact, it's important for people to understand the true meaning of the purpose
they have in life so that they may live well here on Earth. Philosophers, such as Socrates, Aristotle,
and Confucius began to question the life of a human being and what it meant to be a human being.
Each of these philosophers has their own philosophy or worldview of the best life a human being
can live, with the concept of having wisdom and virtue being the key components. In fact, each of
these philosophers expresses the importance of having a life full of wisdom and virtue based off
what they describe as the best life for a human being.
Socrates, according the Apology, describes the best life for a human being is to live the examined
life by having a "care for the soul". Basically, he believes that people should examine their lives by
asking questions and effectively prove it be true and know it for themselves rather than to rely
on someone else's word for it to be right or true. Essentially, this is the very thing that Socrates
discovered about the meaning of wisdom as he attempts to solve the Delphic riddle that "no one
is wiser than Socrates." He discovered that the people who claimed to be wise, such as the
politicians, poets and artisans were not really wise; they just appeared to be. In fact, he discovered
that even he was not wise and there are still some
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5. Meaning Of Life
Gilberto Fernandez
Mrs. Manley
Philosophy
13 December 2017
The Evolution of the Meaning of Life
The complex idea of the meaning of life came to be first through the Hindu teachings. The four
main purposes of life are Dharma meaning to act virtuously and righteously. Artha means the
prosperity and successfulness in one's life. Kama being the concept of whatever action a person
makes, they will receive the same back. Moksha is the proceeding of a spirit into another being
according to their past life.
Following the Hindus, then came the Dao teachings of life, using the five elements earth,wind,
fire, water, and air for fulfilling one's personal goal in accomplishing a successful life. Through
the use of the elements, Daoists have found certain rules of nature that are shown in our human
existence. Because of the elements, our lives are constantly affected by outside forces and by
nature itself. Therefore knowledge of the principles of nature will help a person move from being
troubled by outside forces to being led by the natural inside forces that are centered in peace
beyond outside forces. By following Tao, or the way, one must mentally teach oneself the
capabilities of being successful in life on Earth. Tao is not a god but more of a way or
self–encouragement type of movement.
The meaning of life in Confucianism is to follow the ways of Confucius to achieve your personal
goal. Confucius believed that Tien Ming was that all living things are under the ultimate control
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