Meaning of Life by John Cottingham Essay

Every psyche has by-linei superstard the meaning of vivification It is an idea that can be traced through out the history of mankind. John Cottingham, author of The Meaning of conduct is just genius of the many who check tried to explain and simplify this composite question. The Meaning of animateness is a short but illuminating book that attempts to breakdown the meaning of life with as little religious intervention as possible, while at the same time, be competent to reveal how religion connects with values and commitments that we wholly sh atomic number 18, and to find a way of meet it without the throw of scientific or philosophical integrity. (ix). In The Meaning of Life Cottingham offers insight on individualistic ethical ideals and alternatives to individualism, which can often be contrasted with the vox populis of Jean-Paul Sartre, who is one of the best known philosophers of the twentieth century. Cottingham uses chapter one to argue that individualistic ethic al ideals are compartmentalized and self-importance-defeating. He swears that having activities and achievements in ones life, like sports, are not enough to make ones life meaningful. Humans are complicated beings that require much more than a few simple achievement stories to be truly content with life.As Cottingham states, pack reach biological imperatives (for food, warmth, shelter, procreation), social imperatives (the need to cooperate, the drive to communicate), emotional imperatives (the need for such things as mutual recognition and affection), and lastly and just as importantly what power be called rational imperatives. (26) With out these four essentials, humans simply cannot be happy and jazz meaningful lives, though it may seem they do on the surface. One example Cottingham uses to display this belief is Gauguin the painter.Though Gauguin was a very productive painter, which nearly may argue was meaningful, his choices and actions are those of one who could be considered to be living a meaningless life. Yes, Gauguin was a successful painter, but he also left his wife and children to pursue this self indulgent career. By pursuing the one thing that make Gauguins life meaningful to him, he himself ruined any chance he had at truly living a meaningful life. This is because he had to sacrifice his biological, social, and emotional imperatives when he left his family and friends.While many philosophers strongly believe in individualism, Cottingham offers an alternative in his book. Theism is the belief in some lineament of deity. As Cottingham states A worthwhile life will be one that posses genuine value value linked to our human nature and the followers of what is objectively conducive to the flowering of that nature. (32) Theists ultimately drive something to work towards passim their lives. With out this metaphorical light at the end of the tunnel people could quickly lose the desire to live meaningful lives.Those without the belief that thither is a purpose humans came to exist can be obsessed by the thought that if space is all the home we have, then our journey, a journey out of cypher and towards nothing, risks appearing futile, as void of moment as the ultimate void that spawned us and will eventually draw off us up. (34) With nothing to strive towards it is easy to live a compartmentalized, closed, and egotistic life, abandoning the four imperatives mentioned previously and thus living a life with no meaning.By being open and integrated, Theists can share their experiences on their quest towards living a meaningful life. One psyche that would strongly take issue with Cottinghams belief in theism is Jean-Paul Sartre. One major reason Sartre is so opposed to theism is because of his concept of freedom. To Sartre, freedom is not possible when a person has a designed end or purpose. People must be able to decide their own purpose on this earth, and if they believe they were regulate here with a prede termined purpose by a high being they will be unable to decide what their purpose is on their own.In the case of Gauguin, Sartre would disagree with Cottingham in that he would see nothing wrong with Gauguin leaving his family to pursue his artistic talents. If Gauguin had not left to do what he wished with his life, Sartre would have argued his belief of bad faith which occurs when any person denies their human freedom because they want to avoid the d indicate of realizing that their existence subject matter nothing if one does not create meaning for themselves.Gauguin must give his family to discover the meaning of his life in Sartres view, while Cottingham believes that by leaving his family he loses three of his imperatives and will be unhappy and live a meaningless life. While both Sartre and Cottingham make interesting and binding points on leading a meaningful life, I agree with neither. Sartre would have encouraged Gauguin to leave his family and search for his own meani ng, which I believe would have been very selfish and would have lead to a miserable, meaningless life teeming of guilt and loneliness.Even if Gauguin loved painting, spending a life history alone is undesirable for even the most introverted people. Though I disagree with Sartres reply, I also disagree with Cottinghams belief that Gauguin should have stayed with his family in order to live a life with all of the four essentials mentioned previously. If Gauguin stayed with his family and stopped painting, he would live a life full of questions and regret that he didnt take the opportunity to pursue his dreaming when he had the chance. Rather than having to pick one or the other (family or art) I believe Gauguin could have had the best of both worlds.He could have saved enough money to move his family to Tahiti with him, or could have looked for the sweetheart in his own home and family to inspire him. The meaning of life is a frightening idea that all people have questioned at som e point in their lives. While Cottinghams book is very interesting, it is for sure not for everyone. Cottingham does a superb job in helping the ratifier to decide on their own what a meaningful life is made of by offering multiple philosophies and beliefs in one short, easy to read book.