Subjective and Objective Meaning (2)

AGENDA

1. More Taylor
2. Review

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Richard Taylor, "The Meaning of Life" 

First argument: No meaning (objectively)

1. A meaningless activity involves activity that comes to nothing, as in Original Sisyphus. whereas a meaningful activity produces a significant and lasting result, as in Temple Sisyphus.
2. All our activities eventually come to nothing. THEREFORE,
3. All our activities are meaningless (objectively).

Second argument: Meaning for us (subjectively)

1. If you are passionate about an activity, as in Obsessed Sisyphus, it is meaningful for you (subjectively)
2. We are passionate about some of our activities. THEREFORE,
3. Some of our activities are meaningful for us (subjectively).

Third argument: Subjective meaning is better!

1. Objective meaning, as in Temple Sisyphus, would lead to boredom.
2. Subjective meaning, as in Obsessed Sisyphus, is never boring. THEREFORE,
3. Subjective meaning is better than objective meaning. AND,
4. We should not be disappointed that all we can have is subjective meaning.

WORKBOOK

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Subjective meaning, details

Taylor: 

• Our wills create meaning for us 
• wanting, caring, passion, obsession, love

Degrees of meaning?

• The more we want to do something, the more meaningful it is

Negative meaning?

• Loving to do X -> positive meaning
• Hating to do X --> negative meaning

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TAYLOR VS. TOLSTOY

• Cottingham says meaning authors come to terms with some sort of fragility
• What kind of fragility is Taylor focused on?
• What kind of fragility is Tolstoy focused on?
• How are these issues simiilar and different?
• Tolstoy's solution ....What is it? What would Taylor say about it?
• Taylor's solution .... What is it? What would Tolstoy say about it?