The hottest Meaning of life Substack posts right now

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Happiness and the pursuit of a good and meaningful life

Optimally Irrational • 79 implied HN points • 13 Nov 24
📖 Philosophy Happiness Meaning of life Ethics Well-being Existentialism
  1. Happiness is more than just pleasure. It's about living a good life that includes strong relationships and a sense of purpose.
  2. We often face trade-offs in life, like choosing between immediate pleasures and long-term goals. Balancing these can lead to greater life satisfaction.
  3. Finding meaning in life often comes from contributing to others and building connections, rather than just chasing personal happiness.

Ten Borrowed Years

'Sorry, can you speak up? I have Tinnitus.' • 61 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
📖 Philosophy Mortality Existentialism Self-reflection Meaning of life Personal Growth
  1. Life is fragile and can change in an instant. After nearly dying, it's clear that every day is a gift that shouldn’t be taken for granted.
  2. We all have a choice in how we live our lives. Instead of just going through the motions, we should actively strive to make our lives meaningful and impactful.
  3. Understanding our own mortality motivates us to live fully. It's important to remember that our actions today can create a lasting difference in the world.

Embodying the Good

Humanities in Revolt • 219 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Meaning of life Ethics Human Values Justice Existentialism
  1. The peace movement highlighted the importance of embodying intrinsic values, such as truth, justice, autonomy, and integrity, above achieving immediate results.
  2. Recognizing and enacting self-justifying values allows us to find meaning and purpose in the face of life's futility.
  3. Activists in the peace movement worked to promote human dignity, freedom, and justice, rejecting defeatism and continuing to embody their principles despite facing challenges and setbacks.

Beyond Victory: Finding Meaning in Never-Ending Defeat

Humanities in Revolt • 199 implied HN points • 27 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Moral Philosophy Meaning of life
  1. Victory is transient and will eventually lead to defeat. It's essential to find value in the present and in the process, rather than relying solely on achieving a permanent victory.
  2. Meaning in life is not solely derived from achieving outcomes. As humans, we can find purpose in the inherent goodness and aliveness of the present moment.
  3. Challenging injustices, even if the outcome may seem like failure, is a significant act of upholding human dignity and values. Standing against suffering and maintaining human autonomy is a vital form of rebellion.

Perennial Problems, Projects & Philosophies - Part 3

Weekly Wisdom • 198 implied HN points • 18 May 23
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Psychology Human flourishing Meaning of life
  1. The evolution of psychology is deeply intertwined with philosophy, with early psychologists being philosophers themselves.
  2. Western existentialist ideas on existence's meaninglessness and Eastern concepts like shunyata converge, yet offer different conclusions.
  3. The field of psychology has transitioned from studying dysfunction to focusing on well-being and flourishing, emphasizing the importance of a meaningful and intentional life.

Beyond the Grade: "Everything Happens for A Reason." But What Does that Mean?

Humanities in Revolt • 59 implied HN points • 25 May 22
📖 Philosophy Meaning of life Human experience Ethics Critical Thinking Beliefs
  1. Saying 'everything happens for a reason' can be vague and not add depth to discussions, as we are already aware of cause and effect.
  2. The phrase may imply larger forces at play, but without clarity on what these forces are, the statement remains ambiguous.
  3. The popularity of 'everything happens for a reason' may stem from our tendency to fill in unspecified reasons with personal beliefs, helping us cope with challenges.

The Stoic Teachings of Ecclesiastes

Wayne's Earth • 0 implied HN points • 11 Dec 22
📖 Philosophy Stoicism Meaning of life Values Ancient Wisdom
  1. Ecclesiastes and Stoicism share values of moderation and simplicity, emphasizing fulfillment from nature, self-improvement, and personal responsibility.
  2. Both Ecclesiastes and Stoicism teach us to prioritize what truly matters like family, friends, meaningful work, and to focus on what is within our control.
  3. Embracing life's impermanence is a key lesson from Ecclesiastes and Stoicism, encouraging us to live fearlessly in the present without clinging to the past or worrying about the future.

Book Review: “Looking for a meaning of Live” by Viktor Frankl 4/5

Poczwardowski Notes • 0 implied HN points • 11 Feb 23
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Meaning of life
  1. Viktor Frankl's book 'Looking for a meaning of Life' delves into his experiences in Nazi death camps and the concept of Logotherapy, emphasizing the importance of finding meaning in life.
  2. The book explores the capacity of humans to endure harrowing situations and the significance of a purposeful life, drawing lessons from extreme conditions.
  3. Through the lens of psychological therapy, the stories from the brink of existence highlight the crucial role of having a meaning in life.