#191 – Daniel Schmachtenberger: Steering Civilization Away from Self-Destruction
Lex Fridman Podcast
What Is a Meaningful Life?
The concept of a meaningful life is often confused with purpose, with people questioning the meaning of life, human life, the universe, or existence. Purpose, a Utilitarian concept, lacks significance when applied to everything as it is a relative question. Taoism emphasizes the fundamental nature of things, delving into the 'what' where the 'why' cannot further explore. A meaningful human life involves a balance between being, doing, and becoming. Being entails appreciating the beauty of the present moment, while doing involves contributing to enhance life's beauty through art, technology, or science. Becoming focuses on improving both being and doing, deepening the capacity to appreciate life and add to its beauty. A meaningful life harmonizes these three aspects without conflict, rooted in the intrinsic meaningfulness of experiences and aiming to enhance the quality of experiences for oneself and others, thereby evolving the possibilities of experience.
