Work

The Meaning of Life, Equality and Eternity

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: We present an analysis of a notion of the meaning of life, according to which our lives have meaning if we spend them intentionally producing what has value for ourselves or others. In this sense our lives can have meaning even if a science-inspired view of the world is correct, and they are only transient phenomena in a vast universe. Our lives are more or less meaningful in this sense due to the difference in value for ourselves and others we intentionally create while leading them. These inequalities are morally unjustifiable because they are ultimately due to factors beyond our responsibility and control. But from the point of view of eternity these differences in meaningfulness and value dwindle to insignificance, and this offers some consolation for the unjustifiable inequalities.

Source: The Journal of Ethics

DOI: 10.1007/s10892-019-09296-0

Authors: Ingmar Persson, Julian Savulescu

Institutions: University of Oxford, University of Gothenburg, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Wellcome Centre for Ethics and Humanities

Language: English

Topic: Philosophical Ethics and Theory

Subfield: Philosophy

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,690

Funder: Wellcome Trust