When we say something is meaningful, what do we mean?
In the previous instalment, we started with a similar question and ended up with the idea that life is meaningless (unless we subjectively infuse meaning into it). This idea is called existential nihilism, and incidentally, many philosophers and artists grappled with it for millennia, and continue to do so to this day.
Let’s explore further.
I’m sure you’ve heard people say, “It’s not about money!” I first heard those words in a boardroom. At the time I was struggling to get my business off the ground, and salaries were around the corner. I desperately needed an invoice to be paid when the CEO (my client) said, “it’s not about money.” I stormed out because it was about the damn money. How else was I going to pay salaries?
A few months ago I was going through my computer to re-organise old files. I found notes – maybe 10 years old – where I was dreaming about the future I wanted. I even calculated a monthly budget for that ideal life.
It is almost comical because today I earn multiples of what was once a dream, yet my accumulations have not necessarily made my life more meaningful. Strangely, I agree with that CEO – it’s not about money.
Instead, my life is probably more meaningful because of all the things I still want to achieve. For instance, learning music, creating podcasts, studying literature, teaching and just discovering aspects of who I am has nothing to do with money. Also, I might never “finish” pursuing these goals. I mean, do you ever finish learning about who you are? Therefore, even time seems to be out of the question somewhat.
Can we argue, therefore, that meaning is intrinsically linked to the pursuit of something but not necessarily achieving it?
Is it true that one who not only aspires but actively pursues something has a meaningful life? Is pursuing something the act of injecting meaning into life?
Let’s explore this further in the next instalment.
