Searching for the purpose of life |Babette Babich, Frank Tallis, Jonathan Webber, Sandra Laugier

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Jun 3, 2025

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Join Frank Tallis, a clinical psychologist, Jonathan Webber, a philosophy professor, Sandra Laugier, a linguist philosopher, and Nietzschean philosopher Babette Babich as they dive into the search for life's purpose. They explore whether life has a predetermined goal or if meaning comes from our experiences. The discussion touches on existentialism, personal meaning-making, and the balance between pursuing goals and living in the moment. They also reflect on how societal pressures impact self-discovery among young people in a fast-paced world.

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INSIGHT

Create Personal Purpose To Cope

Life likely has no predetermined goal, it's an accidental product of evolution.
Creating personal purpose boosts resilience and helps endure life's hardships.

INSIGHT

Goal-Setting Is Human Nature

Meaning-making is fundamental to human brain function and embodiment.
Even philosophies promoting no-goal living have underlying goal-like aims.

ANECDOTE

Simple Goals Can Bring Joy

Collecting handbags or similar hobbies may seem shallow but could function as a meaningful goal.
Simple goals can produce dopamine and happiness just as grand goals might.

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Conduct of Life

Ralph Waldo Emerson

In 'Conduct of Life', Ralph Waldo Emerson presents a series of essays exploring themes of power, wealth, culture, and behavior. He emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and individualism in navigating the complexities of modern life. Emerson encourages readers to cultivate their inner resources and to resist conformity in the pursuit of personal growth and moral excellence. The book reflects Emerson's transcendentalist philosophy, advocating for a direct connection with nature and a reliance on one's intuition. He examines the relationship between the individual and society, urging readers to find their unique path and contribute to the world through their authentic selves. 'Conduct of Life' serves as a guide to living a purposeful and meaningful life, grounded in ethical principles and self-awareness.

The Denial of Death

Ernest Becker

In 'The Denial of Death', Ernest Becker discusses the psychological and philosophical implications of how people and cultures react to the concept of death. He argues that human civilization is a defense mechanism against the knowledge of our mortality, and that this denial is a necessary component of functioning in the world. Becker's work challenges traditional Freudian thought by positing that the primary repression is not sexuality, but rather the awareness of death. He also explores how this fear of death leads to the creation of 'hero systems' and symbols that help individuals transcend their mortality, and how this can result in violence and conflict when different immortality projects clash[2][5][4].

Pyrrhus and Sinaius

Simone de Beauvoir

Rethinking Existentialism

Jonathan Webber

Man's Search for Meaning

Viktor Frankl

The book is divided into two parts. The first part recounts Frankl's harrowing experiences as a prisoner in Nazi concentration camps, including Auschwitz, between 1942 and 1945. He describes the inhumane conditions and the psychological and emotional struggles of the prisoners. The second part introduces Frankl's theory of logotherapy, which posits that the primary human drive is the search for meaning, rather than pleasure. Frankl argues that meaning can be found through three main avenues: work (doing something significant), love (caring for another), and suffering (finding meaning in one's own suffering). The book emphasizes the importance of finding purpose and meaning in life, even in the most adverse conditions, as a key factor in survival and personal growth.