The Meaning of Life: A Reader - Fourth Edition by E.D. Klemke and Steven M. Cahn - Book Review
The Meaning of Life by E.D. Klemke: A Review
The meaning of life is one of the most profound and perplexing questions that humans have ever asked. It is also one of the most difficult and controversial questions to answer, as different people have different beliefs, values, and experiences that shape their views on this topic. Is there a universal or objective meaning to life, or is it subjective and relative to each individual? Is there a divine or supernatural purpose for our existence, or is it natural and accidental? Is there a way to discover or create meaning in life, or is it meaningless and absurd?
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In this article, I will review a book that explores these questions from various philosophical perspectives. The book is The Meaning of Life, edited by E.D. Klemke, a professor emeritus of philosophy at Iowa State University. The book is a collection of essays by prominent philosophers, literary figures, and religious thinkers who offer their views on the meaning of life. The book is divided into four parts: The Theistic View, The Humanistic View, The Skeptical View, and The End of Life. In each part, Klemke provides an introduction and a commentary on the essays, as well as a selected bibliography for further reading.
In this review, I will summarize and evaluate each part of the book, highlighting the main arguments, critiques, and implications of each perspective on the meaning of life. I will also discuss some of the strengths and weaknesses of Klemke's book as a whole.
The Theistic View
The first part of the book presents the view that life has meaning only if God exists and has a plan for us. This view is also known as the religious or supernatural view, as it relies on faith in a transcendent being or reality that gives value and direction to our lives. The essays in this part include:
The Meaningfulness of Immortality by William James, a psychologist and philosopher who argues that immortality is necessary for life to have meaning.
Why I Am Not a Christian by Bertrand Russell, a philosopher and atheist who rejects Christianity and other religions as irrational and immoral.
The Absurdity of Life without God by William Lane Craig, a philosopher and Christian apologist who defends Christianity as the only source of meaning in life.
The Meaning of Life by Richard Taylor, a philosopher who challenges the theistic view and proposes a naturalistic alternative.
The Meaning of Life According to Christianity by Philip L. Quinn, a philosopher and Christian who responds to Taylor and explains the Christian conception of the meaning of life.
The main argument of the theistic view is that life has meaning only if God exists and has a plan for us. God is the creator and sustainer of the universe, the source and standard of morality, and the judge and rewarder of our actions. God loves us and wants us to love him and our neighbors, to follow his commandments, and to fulfill his purposes. God also promises us eternal life after death, where we will enjoy his presence and glory forever. Without God, life would be meaningless, because there would be no objective value or purpose, no moral accountability or responsibility, and no hope or consolation in the face of suffering and death.
Klemke critiques the theistic view on several grounds. He questions the existence and nature of God, the validity and reliability of religious claims and experiences, the coherence and consistency of religious doctrines and morals, and the relevance and attractiveness of religious goals and rewards. He also points out some of the challenges and objections to the theistic view, such as the problem of evil, the diversity and plurality of religions, the autonomy and dignity of human beings, and the possibility and desirability of immortality.
The Humanistic View
The second part of the book presents the view that life has meaning even if God does not exist or is irrelevant. This view is also known as the secular or naturalistic view, as it relies on reason and experience rather than faith or revelation. The essays in this part include:
My Confession by Leo Tolstoy, a novelist and religious seeker who describes his existential crisis and his quest for meaning in life.
The Myth of Sisyphus by Albert Camus, a novelist and philosopher who explores the absurdity of life and the possibility of finding meaning in spite of it.
Existentialism Is a Humanism by Jean-Paul Sartre, a philosopher and existentialist who argues that human beings are free and responsible for creating their own meaning in life.
The Meaning of Human Existence by Richard Dawkins, a biologist and atheist who explains how evolution shapes our lives and values.
Meanings of Life by Roy F. Baumeister, a psychologist who identifies four needs that give meaning to life: purpose, value, efficacy, and self-worth.
The main argument of the humanistic view is that life has meaning even if God does not exist or is irrelevant. Human beings are rational and emotional creatures who can discover or create meaning in life through their own choices and actions. Human beings can find meaning in life by pursuing their interests and passions, by expressing their talents and abilities, by contributing to society and humanity, by forming relationships and bonds with others, by enjoying beauty and pleasure, by seeking knowledge and wisdom, by overcoming challenges and difficulties, by developing their character and virtues, by affirming their dignity and worth, etc. Life has meaning as long as we make it meaningful.
Klemke supports the humanistic view on several grounds. He praises the humanistic view for being realistic and empirical, for being flexible and pluralistic, for being optimistic and hopeful, for being empowering and liberating. He also points out some of the advantages and disadvantages of the humanistic view, such as its compatibility with science and morality, its diversity and individuality, its challenge and responsibility, its vulnerability and uncertainty.
The Skeptical View
The third part of the book presents the view that life has no meaning at all. This view is also known as the nihilistic or pessimistic view, as it denies any value or purpose to our existence. The essays in this part include:
On The Suffering Of The World by Arthur Schopenhauer, a philosopher who argues that life is full of pain and misery.
The Will To Believe by A.J. Ayer, a philosopher who argues that religious beliefs are meaningless and irrational.
Nihilism And The Meaning Of Life by James Tartaglia, a philosopher who argues that nihilism is true and unavoidable.
The Meaning Of Life: A Very Short Introduction by Terry Eagleton, a literary critic who argues that nihilism is false and escapable.
by Bertrand Russell, a philosopher who argues that human beings can find meaning in life by resisting fate and embracing beauty.
The main argument of the skeptical view is that life has no meaning at all. Life is a random and pointless phenomenon that has no intrinsic or extrinsic value or purpose. Life is a futile and absurd struggle that ends in death and oblivion. Life is a tragic and cruel joke that offers no hope or consolation. There is no God or any other higher power or reality that can give meaning to life. There is no objective or universal standard or criterion that can measure or judge the meaning of life. There is no rational or empirical method or evidence that can prove or disprove the meaning of life.
Klemke responds to the skeptical view on several grounds. He challenges the skeptical view for being dogmatic and self-defeating, for being inconsistent and contradictory, for being pessimistic and despairing, for being nihilistic and destructive. He also points out some of the implications and consequences of the skeptical view, such as its impact on morality and society, its effect on happiness and well-being, its influence on art and culture, its relation to suicide and death.
The End of Life
The fourth and final part of the book presents the view that the meaning of life is related to the end of life. This view is also known as the eschatological or existential view, as it focuses on the issues of death and immortality. The essays in this part include:
Death by Thomas Nagel, a philosopher who argues that death is a bad thing for us.
The Makropulos Case: Reflections On The Tedium Of Immortality by Bernard Williams, a philosopher who argues that immortality is a worse thing for us.
Immortality And Meaning: Reflections On The Makropulos Debate by John Martin Fischer, a philosopher who argues that immortality is not a necessary or sufficient condition for meaning in life.
How To Live Forever Without Saving Your Soul: Physicalism And Immortality by Owen Flanagan, a philosopher who argues that physicalism does not rule out the possibility of immortality.
The Ethics Of Killing: Problems At The Margins Of Life by Jeff McMahan, a philosopher who argues that killing is morally wrong only if it deprives someone of a valuable future.
The main argument of the end of life view is that the meaning of life is related to the end of life. Death and immortality are two important factors that affect how we perceive and evaluate the meaning of life. Death is the inevitable and final termination of our existence, which raises questions about the value and significance of our lives. Immortality is the hypothetical and desirable continuation of our existence, which raises questions about the quality and purpose of our lives. How we cope with death and immortality depends on our beliefs and attitudes about ourselves, our world, and our destiny.
Klemke addresses the end of life view on several grounds. He examines the metaphysical and ethical issues involved in death and immortality, such as the nature and identity of persons, the criteria and value of life, the possibility and desirability of survival, etc. He also explores the psychological and existential issues raised by death and immortality, such as the fear and denial of death, the hope and faith in immortality, the meaning and significance of life, etc.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Klemke's book The Meaning of Life is a comprehensive and stimulating introduction to one of the most fascinating and important topics in philosophy. The book offers a variety of perspectives on the meaning of life from different disciplines, traditions, and viewpoints. The book also provides a critical analysis and evaluation of each perspective, as well as a personal commentary and reflection by Klemke himself. The book is suitable for both students and general readers who are interested in exploring this topic in depth.
However, Klemke's book is not without its limitations and criticisms. Some of them are:
The book is somewhat outdated, as it was first published in 2000 and has not been revised since then. Some of the essays are older than that, and some newer ones are missing.
The book is somewhat biased, as it favors the humanistic view over the other views. Klemke does not hide his own preference and opinion, which may influence his interpretation and assessment of the other views.
The book is somewhat incomplete, as it does not cover all the possible perspectives on the meaning of life. For example, it does not include any views from Asian or non-Western philosophies, such as Buddhism or Confucianism.
The book is somewhat repetitive, as it contains some overlapping and redundant arguments and examples. Some of the essays are similar or complementary to each other, and some of them are unnecessary or irrelevant.
Despite these drawbacks, Klemke's book is still a valuable and insightful resource for anyone who wants to learn more about the meaning of life. It is a book that challenges and inspires us to think deeply and critically about this fundamental question that concerns us all.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the meaning of life and Klemke's book:
What is the meaning of life?
The meaning of life is the question of what, if anything, makes life valuable, significant, or worthwhile. It is also the question of how we can discover or create meaning in our lives.
Why is the meaning of life important?
The meaning of life is important because it affects how we live our lives, how we cope with our problems, how we relate to others, how we face our death, etc. It also reflects our beliefs, values, and goals in life.
How can we find the meaning of life?
There is no definitive or universal answer to this question, as different people have different views on the meaning of life. Some people may find meaning in life by believing in God or a higher power, some may find meaning in life by pursuing their passions or interests, some may find meaning in life by contributing to society or humanity, some may find meaning in life by forming relationships or bonds with others, etc.
What are the main perspectives on the meaning of life?
There are many perspectives on the meaning of life, but some of the main ones are: the theistic view, which holds that life has meaning only if God exists and has a plan for us; the humanistic view, which holds that life has meaning even if God does not exist or is irrelevant; the skeptical view, which holds that life has no meaning at all; and the end of life view, which holds that the meaning of life is related to the end of life.
What is Klemke's book about?
Klemke's book is a collection of essays by prominent philosophers, literary figures, and religious thinkers who offer their views on the meaning of life. The book is divided into four parts: The Theistic View, The Humanistic View, The Skeptical View, and The End of Life. In each part, Klemke provides an introduction and a commentary on the essays, as well as a selected bibliography for further reading.
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