The Informed Will and the Meaning of Life
1986; Wiley; Volume: 47; Issue: 1 Linguagem: Inglês
10.2307/2107725
ISSN1933-1592
Autores Tópico(s)Theology and Philosophy of Evil
ResumoOur lives have such meaning as we give to them. Meaning is made, not received or found; it is a human contribution to world. This contribution is possible, because the mind, as Hume observed, a great propensity to spread itself on external (Treatise, bk. I, Pt. 3, sec. I4.) When some external objects are endowed with. lasting significance for our lives, when they are transformed from indifferent facts into matters of deep concern, then we have succeeded in conferring meaning on them. Success requires acts of will, and if they cohere and form a pattern permeating a life, then life as a whole has meaning. However, will by itself is not sufficient for achievement of meaning. For objects upon which it confers significance must be appropriate and it must be guided by feelings and intellect. If objects are right sort and feelings and intellect do provide direction, then, I shall say, will is informed. And so informed will is key to meaning of life.
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