Don’t Worry, Be Happy: The Gettability of Ultimate Meaning
1 Department of Philosophy, University of Canterbury, New Zealand; (B.H.); (S.R.)
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Received: 22 Oct 2021 / Revised: 5 Mar 2022 / Accepted: 7 Mar 2022 / Published: 29 Apr 2022
Abstract
Rivka Weinberg advances an error theory of ultimate meaning with three parts: (1) a conceptual analysis, (2) the claim that the extension of the concept is empty, and (3) a proposed fitting response, namely being very, very sad. Weinberg’s conceptual analysis of ultimate meaning involves two features that jointly make it metaphysically impossible, namely (i) the separateness of activities and valued ends, and (ii) the bounded nature of human lives. Both are open to serious challenges. We offer an internalist alternative to (i) and a relational alternative to (ii). We then draw out implications for (2) and conclude with reasons to be cheerful about the prospects of a meaningful life.
Keywords: meaning of life; meaning in life; Weinberg; value; the self; meaning nihilism
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CITE
Turp, M.-J.; Hollinshead, B.; Rowe, S. Don’t Worry, Be Happy: The Gettability of Ultimate Meaning. Controversial_Ideas 2022, 2, 12.
Turp M-J, Hollinshead B, Rowe S. Don’t Worry, Be Happy: The Gettability of Ultimate Meaning. Journal of Controversial Ideas. 2022; 2(1):12.
Turp, Michael-John; Hollinshead, Brylea; Rowe, Stephen. 2022. "Don’t Worry, Be Happy: The Gettability of Ultimate Meaning." Controversial_Ideas 2, no. 1: 12.
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