Thoughts on a mission in life are not new. Ancient sages shrugged their hands no less than current thinkers. It was even more difficult for the ancients: before them no one had asked such a question. And they had a hard work ahead - to create a base for future generations. Now we, the children of capitalism, are very interested in whether there is a deep meaning in life. And if not, then where and for how much to buy or assemble "do it yourself". And since it so happened that simple “quotes with a deep meaning” do not satisfy us, we sit back and arrange a confrontation with philosophers of different generations.
Ancient Greek philosophy
The philosophers of ancient Greece laid the foundation of human life happiness. Everyone had their own understanding, but few argued about the "improvement" of the soul. Ancient Greek philosophy itself is a striving for idealism. Material things are recognized as secondary, and the idea, soul and divine design are put at the foundation of life.
Epicurus and the school of hedonism proclaimed pleasure the supreme meaning of life. Moreover, pleasure was not understood as rivers with wine and dissolute women, but a simple lack of discomfort. Life without tears and torment, existence without fear of death. The deep meaning of life according to Epicurus is the bliss of the spirit, which can be achieved by abstracting from pain, anxiety and suffering.
Aristotle considered the highest meaning of existence not so much pleasure as happiness. He believed that happiness is possible in conditions of discomfort. And even a person who is tired, afraid and tormented by anxiety, in the soul there is a place for sublime ideas. Happiness, according to Aristotle, is the following of a person of his essence, which consists in thinking, cognition and virtue.
Cynics elevated the idealism of the ancient Greeks to a new stage of development. The root of all world evils was considered private property. If things were common to all, then people would cease to envy each other, be at enmity and fight. To live as if you have nothing for your soul, to be a true citizen of the world and share benefits is the virtue of cynics. As you can see, the ideas of communism came to people's minds even before the appearance of the famous manifesto.
Existentialism
With the advent of existentialism, material things gain more weight, but still look in the back of sublime idealism. The deep meaning of life rests within a person, during life and development as a person.
The ultimate goal is to fill the "existential void" in the soul, finding your own happiness. As the existentialists say, we are “thrown into this world,” but how life goes on depends only on our free will and choice. Man himself builds a world around him.
Pragmatism
The philosophy of pragmatism has dramatically changed priorities. Now materialism is considered the most important aspect in human life, and sublime thoughts and ideas acquire an accessory character. The meaning of life pragmatist is good. When choosing one or another alternative, only cold calculation is applied. Which option is preferable, more useful, that is considered true.
Often it is a matter of material benefits, but spiritual benefits are also implied. To whom it will be better, and to whom it is worse that I receive from this. The answers to such questions determine the next steps.
The ultimate goal is to live life with the greatest increase in benefits. No deep meaning or divine design is simply an effective waste of the resources of one's own organism.
Nihilism
The philosophy of nihilism has erased the hierarchy of matter and idea. Now all this is simply denied. It does not matter whether vital material things or beautiful high thoughts - there is no sense in either.
The whole school of nihilism is built on denial. Moral norms, divine commandments and cultures are nothing more than an illusion. You can choose any way of life; as the nihilists say: no action is preferable to another. Indeed, what kind of preferences are we talking about if all the well-known selection criteria are simply denied.
And since there are no specific methods, there is no ultimate goal. All life is nothing, and there is no higher meaning.
But in the end?
But in the end, a set of opinions. No one promised exact answers. This is a philosophy, they come here only for new questions. Well, if you generalize a little, then in every teaching we see a desire for self-realization. Therefore, here it is - the depth of the human soul. But here, too, the bird flies out of hands. Realization is different everywhere: one school will consider some action a virtue, the other will throw a rotten tomato. The only thing that remains for us ordinary mortals is to sit and reflect. And if suddenly the truth falls on a restless head, we will start jumping with happiness. Although the next day we’ll change our minds anyway.