Very Bad Wizards Episode 61: Putting a Little Meaning in Your Life
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Jan 19, 2015 
In this engaging discussion, Susan Wolf, a philosopher and author of 'Meaning in Life and Why it Matters,' dives deep into what makes life meaningful. She explores the balance between personal fulfillment and moral obligations, suggesting not all meaningful actions align with self-interest. The conversation highlights the subjectivity of meaning, challenging traditional views of success while emphasizing social connections and community impact. Listeners are in for a thought-provoking journey about the complexity of finding purpose!
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Skepticism About One Moral Theory
- Susan Wolf critiques the confidence in finding a single correct moral theory, seeing it as unlikely.
- She values theorizing as a useful exercise for ethical reflection but doubts a definitive ethical truth theory exists.
Dual Criteria for Meaningfulness
- Wolf identifies two criteria for meaningful life: subjective fulfillment and objective meaningfulness.
- She argues simply feeling fulfilled isn't enough; the activity must also have objective value.
Goldfish Devotion as Meaning Example
- Wolf uses a goldfish lover who devotes life caring for a goldfish as an example.
- Though fulfilled, the person's life lacks objective meaningfulness, showing passion alone isn't sufficient for meaning.