4. The question, O me! so sad, recurring—What good
amid these, O me, O life?
That you are here—that life exists, and identity;
That the powerful play goes on,
and you will contribute a verse.
- Walt Whitman
18. ...to live, go to school,
work, then die
...to gain and exercise
power
...to compete or co-
operate with others
...to give and receive
love
...to leave a legacy
19. “WHEN IT’S ALL OVER,,
WHEN IT’S ALL OVER
T’S NOT WHO YOU
IT’S NOT WHO YOU
I
ERE IT’S WHETHER
WERE.. IT’S WHETHER
W
”
”
-Bob Dole
20. ...to live in the pursuit of
…to live in peace with happiness
yourself and each other,
and in harmony with our
natural environment ...to master or know
everything
...to satisfy the natural
curiosity felt by humans
about life ...to follow the “golden
rule”
25. psychological
57%
75%
old age
http://www.metrolic.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/older-people-the-web1.jpg
Leath, Colin. The Experience of Meaning in Life from a Psychological Perspective. The Experience of Meaning in Life from a Psychological Perspective. 10 Jan. 1999. Web. 30 Apr. 2011. <http://purl.oclc.org/net/cleath/writings/meaning.htm>.
26. psychological
str
ess
http://www.quixoticonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/stress.jpg http://www.heartsandmindsbooks.com/young%20adults%20in%20suits.jpg
Leath, Colin. The Experience of Meaning in Life from a Psychological Perspective. The Experience of Meaning in Life from a Psychological Perspective. 10 Jan. 1999. Web. 30 Apr. 2011. <http://purl.oclc.org/net/cleath/writings/meaning.htm>.
38. Works Cited
Authentic Happiness :: Using the New Positive Psychology. The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania,
2006. Web. 10 May 2011. <http://www.authentichappiness.sas.upenn.edu/default.aspx>.
Bailwal, Yogesh. "Philosophical Meaning of Life." Philosophy of Life & Happiness. 31 July 2010. Web. 22 Dec.
2010. <http://www.philosophyinlife.info/148/philosophical-meaning-life.htm>.
"Buddhist Studies (Secondary) The Buddhist Way." BuddhaNet - Worldwide Buddhist Information and
Education Network. BDEA, 1996. Web. 16 Feb. 2011. <http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhism/bs-
s01.htm>.
Chao, Lin. "The Meaning of Life." BioScience 50.3 (2000): 245-250. JSTOR. Web. 3 Nov. 2010. <http://
www.jstor.org/stable/1313751>.
Di Muzio, Gianluca. Theism and the Meaning of Life. Theism and the Meaning of Life. Ars Disputandi, 2006.
Web. 15 Feb. 2011. <http://www.arsdisputandi.org>.
Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Christian Assemblies International. Web. 16 Feb. 2011. <http://www.cai.org/
files/theme-sheets/en/c/sc0001au.pdf>.
"Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs - Motivation Theory." Abraham Maslow - Father of Modern Management Psychology.
2005. Web. 16 May 2011. <http://www.abraham-maslow.com/m_motivation/Hierarchy_of_Needs.asp>.
Leath, Colin. The Experience of Meaning in Life from a Psychological Perspective. The Experience of Meaning
in Life from a Psychological Perspective. 10 Jan. 1999. Web. 30 Apr. 2011. <http://purl.oclc.org/net/cleath/
writings/meaning.htm>.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. "What I Need to Know about Hirschsprung
Disease." National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive
and Kidney Diseases, Feb. 2010. Web. 09 May 2011. <http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/
hirschsprungs_ez/>.
"Religion Meaning of Life." Web log post. Religion Meaning of Life. Think Quest 99. Web. 15 Feb. 2011. <http://
www.yourdictionary.com/images/articles/lg/1517.Judaism.jpg>.
Stewart, John. "The Meaning of Life in a Developing Universe | John Stewart |Science | Guardian.co.uk."
Guardian.co.uk. 5 Mar. 2010. Web. 22Dec. 2010. <http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/blog/2010/mar/05/
meaning-life-developing-universe>.
40. to me the meaning of
life is...
"...to try to accomplish a lot "...Push yourself so you can better yourself so you
while simultaneously being can succeed in life so you can find your place in life."
loved."
"...to raise children to be good people."
42. 42 “The giving of
meaning to life is seen
as essentially a task
for the liver of it.”
- R.W. Hepburn
Hinweis der Redaktion
\n
\n
Picture:\nhttp://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTOfZnN3VdIuh45b4NXuXmi0_YJ4tMm0CgzYDkWfzAW_kcQ95d59w \n\nI always try to find the positives in bad situations. I&#x2019;m also very curious and like to learn new things. I question everything and truly enjoy researching difficult topics such as the meaning of life. In college, I plan to major in psychology and I believe that finding the meaning of life would help to give me a better perspective on future issues and life in general.\n\n\n
Picture:\nhttp://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRBOmMct2V7hh5Rr-9Ax5RgNffZdmu7M-opu9P8FUdbDDR3s6lN\n\nThis is a poem by Walt Whitman that we have seen a few times in class. He says that in life one should &#x201C;contribute a verse&#x201D;. Whenever I read an obituary I often think what will be written in my own. I hope to be remembered for something important when I die and I want my life to be meaningful. \n\n\n
Source: \nLeath, Colin. The Experience of Meaning in Life from a Psychological Perspective. The Experience of Meaning in Life from a Psychological Perspective. 10 Jan. 1999. Web. 30 Apr. 2011. <http://purl.oclc.org/net/cleath/writings/meaning.htm>. \n\nPicture:\nhttp://better-emotional-health.com/balancingman.jpg\n\nAn interesting characteristic of humans is that some may need to be aware of some meaning or purpose for their entire lives in order to be motivated to continue to perform even the most basic life-supporting behaviors. What these humans need is not a rational answer to the meaning or purpose of their lives but an answer that feels good to them. An answer that feels good allows one to perceive that one&#x2019;s life is part of a good whole that is larger and more timeless than one&#x2019;s self. Being unable to perceive a larger meaning or purpose for one&#x2019;s life is not a significant concern in many cultures in which the answer is provided and rarely questioned&#x2014;lacking an answer to the meaning of one&#x2019;s life may only be a noticeable problem in industrial and post-industrial cultures.\n\n\n
picture:\nhttp://staceystewartcreative.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/arcticwhale.jpeg\n\nThe meaning of life can be determined from different perspectives. I have researched it from scientific, religious, philosophical and psychological views.\n
Source:\nChao, Lin. "The Meaning of Life." BioScience 50.3 (2000): 245-250. JSTOR. Web. 3\nNov. 2010. a rel=nofollow href="http://www.jstor.org/stable/1313751">http://www.jstor.org/stable/1313751>;;. \n\nPicture:\nhttp://littlemiraclesrr.org/spayandneuter.html\n\nScience describes life with three main characteristics: randomness, reproduction and evolution through natural selection. Randomness is the beginning element of life. Chao describes how randomness is a part of the definition of life, however not everything random is life. With more evidence, reproduction is the most popular definition of life. Lastly evolution through natural selection is the most significant aspect of life. This is very important because without adaptations, we would not be here and our lives would have no purpose. \n\n\n\n\n
Source:\nStewart, John. "The Meaning of Life in a Developing Universe | John Stewart |Science | Guardian.co.uk." Guardian.co.uk. 5 Mar. 2010. Web. 22Dec. 2010. http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/blog/2010/mar/05/meaning-life-developing-universe%3E">http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/blog/2010/mar/05/meaning-life-developing-universe>;;. \n\nPicture:\nhttp://truereligiondebate.wordpress.com/2008/05/11/wanna-become-husband-of-all-hindu-women/\nJohn Stewart describes the meaning of life on a much larger scale than many have truly contemplated. Stewart explains how the entire universe is slowly evolving in many stages. Just like Darwin explained through natural selection, some organisms will continue to evolve and go on to further stages while others are eliminated. But how does this describe the meaning of life? We are all a small part of the trajectory. Our purpose is simply just to make the changes in the universe that are necessary to help it evolve.\n \n\n
This is just an interesting quote that shows that life itself is very meaningful and important. Not necessarily the things within it.\n
While researching, I realized that some of the proposed &#x201C;meanings&#x201D; were not really meanings at all, but rather a way to find meaning. I will elaborate on this as I continue.\n
Source:\nDi Muzio, Gianluca. Theism and the Meaning of Life. Theism and the Meaning of Life. Ars Disputandi, 2006. Web. 15 Feb. 2011. a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.arsdisputandi.org%3E">http://www.arsdisputandi.org>;.\nPicture:\nhttp://miraclesforyoutoo.blogspot.com/2010/09/feast-of-exaltation-of-cross.html\n\nGianluca Di Muzio who stated, &#x201C;life is indeed meaningless without God&#x201D;. He explains that without God, there is no divine plan and without a divine plan, life has no meaning or purpose. In the Christian religion, love is supposed to be the path to Heaven. In the article, it is stated that, &#x201C;our entire meaning of life is to love God with our whole heart&#x201D;. So having good faith and doing good things is not the meaning of life, however, by doing these things one could find the meaning.\n\n
Source:\n"Religion Meaning of Life." Web log post. Religion Meaning of Life. Think Quest 99. Web. 15 Feb. 2011. a rel="nofollow" href="http://library.thinkquest.org/26118/meaning_religion.htm%3E">http://library.http://www.yourdictionary.com/images/articles/lg/1517.Judaism.jpg \n\nPicture:\nhttp://yourdictionary.com/images/articles/lg/1517.Judaism.jpg\n\nJudaism is very similar to Christianity and Islam. These three religions all use each other&#x2019;s beliefs similarly with slightly different variations. The purpose of life from a Jewish perspective is to do good things that God would approve of in order to reap the benefits of His reward.\n\n\n
Source:\nIslam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Christian Assemblies International. Web. 16 Feb. 2011. a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.cai.org/files/theme-sheets/en/c/sc0001au.pdf%3E">http://www.cai.org/files/theme-sheets/en/c/sc0001au.pdf>;.\n\nPicture:\nhttp://shailee0944.wordpress.com/2010/06/09/blame-it-on-the-internet-publishing-fuelled-islamic-extremism/\nhttp://www.mohammadi.ca/media/1/20070425-pic_islam.jpg\n\nThe god of this religion is named Mohammed. Islam is based on Christianity and Judaism because Mohammed was not impressed by the monotheism so he essentially put his own twist on these religions. The holy book is called the Koran where Jesus, of the Christian religion, is recognized, however not as the Son of God. In this sense, the meaning of life from Islamic perspective is to practice good faith and good works in which case the fate-deciding Allah will save them. \n\n
Source:\n"Buddhist Studies (Secondary) The Buddhist Way." BuddhaNet - Worldwide Buddhist Information and Education Network. BDEA, 1996. Web. 16 Feb. 2011. a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhism/bs-s01.htm%3E">http://www.buddhanet.net/e-learning/buddhism/bs-s01.htm>;\n\nPicture:\nhttp://burma-all.com/new%20burma-all.com/buddhist%20monks%20school.jpg\n\nBuddhism originated from a man named Siddhartha who sat under a tree for seven days for meditation in the attempt to reach Nirvana. To reach Nirvana, one must free themselves from impurities and haughtiness of the world and focus on being holy. Siddhartha became Buddha after achieving enlightenment. His teachings are supposed to help to end suffering and achieve happiness. Therefore the meaning of life from a Buddhist perspective is to be happy and separate from the impurities of the world.\n\n
Source:\nIslam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. Christian Assemblies International. Web. 16 Feb. 2011. a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.cai.org/files/theme-sheets/en/c/sc0001au.pdf%3E">http://www.cai.org/files/theme-sheets/en/c/sc0001au.pdf>;.\n\nPicture:\nhttp://upload.macromedia.com/exchange/photoshop/previews/om1.jpg\nhttp://inapcache.boston.com/universal/site_graphics/blogs/bigpicture/hindu_09_07/h16_20093337.jpg\n\nThis religion is practiced with the holy book called the Veda where many gods are worshipped. It is believed that when you die, you are reincarnated in some form whether you become a plant, animal, human or god. Karma determines what you will be reincarnated as. Good deeds will lead to good karma and similarly negative actions will lead to bad karma. The main goal of a Hindu person is to reach the final redemption and merge with Brahman.\n\n
Source:\nBailwal, Yogesh. "Philosophical Meaning of Life." Philosophy of Life & Happiness. 31 July 2010. Web. 22 Dec. 2010. <http://www.philosophyinlife.info/148/philosophical-meaning-life.htm>.\n\nPicture:\nhttp://wallpapers-box.com/abstract/abstract-background.jpg\n
Picture:\nhttp://ih2.redbubble.net/work.6063932.2.flat,550x550,075,f.you-made-a-difference.jpg\nThis is just another quote similar to Whitman&#x2019;s.\n\n
Source:\nBailwal, Yogesh. "Philosophical Meaning of Life." Philosophy of Life & Happiness. 31 July 2010. Web. 22 Dec. 2010. <http://www.philosophyinlife.info/148/philosophical-meaning-life.htm>.\n\nPicture:\nhttp://wallpapers-box.com/abstract/abstract-background.jpg\n
Source:\nHealth Notes?\n\nPicture:\nhttp://abraham-maslow.com/m_motivation/Hierarchy_of_Needs.asp \nhttp://nd.sauvca.org.za/nishe/images/flippingbook/abstract_background_orange.jpg?book_id=3?firstPageNumber=0?lcId=1294931209000?no_html=1?rotation=0?type=xml?xmIConfig=/nishe/index.php?option=com_flippingbook\n\nMaslow created this hierarchy of needs which is basically a list of things you must achieve in order to reach the peak which is Self-actualization. Physiological needs being food, water, shelter and things of such. Safety needs which is health, resources, employment and so on. Social needs being friends, family, and relationships. Esteem needs are confidence and self respect and respect for others. And finally there is self-actualization where morality, spontaneity, lack of prejudice and acceptance of facts comes in. Basically human development.\n\n
Source: \nBailwal, Yogesh. "Philosophical Meaning of Life." Philosophy of Life &Happiness. 31 July 2010. Web. 22 Dec. 2010.a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.philosophyinlife.info/148/philosophical-meaning-life.htm%3E">http://www.philosophyinlife.info/148/philosophical-meaning-life.htm>;;\n\nThe explanations have 3 main points of view. One being, the meaning of life is to find the meaning of it. Another view is that the meaning of life is to achieve self-actualization. On the opposite end of the spectrum they say there is no purpose for life, you simply live to die.\n
Source:\nBailwal, Yogesh. "Philosophical Meaning of Life." Philosophy of Life & Happiness. 31 July 2010. Web. 22 Dec. 2010. <http://www.philosophyinlife.info/148/philosophical-meaning-life.htm>. \n\nPicture:\nhttp://thefuturebuzz.com/pics/What-if.png\n\nLet&#x2019;s say you don&#x2019;t agree with any of these explanations, maybe life is just an illusion. Maybe there is no such thing as life. What are you doing? Deep thinking. How do you know this isn&#x2019;t all just a dream.\n
Source: \nLeath, Colin. The Experience of Meaning in Life from a Psychological Perspective. The Experience of Meaning in Life from a Psychological Perspective. 10 Jan. 1999. Web. 30 Apr. 2011. <http://purl.oclc.org/net/cleath/writings/meaning.htm>.\n\nPictures:\nhttp://worldofstock.com/slides/BGT1924.jpg\nhttp://lavozweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Teenagers-in-Group1.jpg\n\nWhile consciously questioning the nature of meaning in life was not the predominant concern of these adolescents, a sense of meaning in life was of definite importance, as demonstrated by the finding that those adolescents who had a "certain" or "great" need of finding something to believe in had a more negative self-concept than those who believed in some kind of higher existence.\nMost of the research exploring meaning of life in adolescence is related to drug use and other negative outcomes. Padelford (1974) found a significant negative relationship between drug involvement and purpose in life (r = -0.23; p < .001) for a group of 416 tenth graders.\nIn two other studies with adolescents and young adults, Newcomb and Harlow (1986) found that the relation between stressful life events and substance use can be partially understood as being due to stressful life events leading to perceived loss of control, which in turn results in feelings of meaninglessness\nin the study involving older participants (ages of 21 - 23 years), there remained a direct effect of stressful life events on substance abuse\nbelieved this difference might be the result of the older participants having established substance use as an automatic response to stressful events.\n\n\n
Source: \nLeath, Colin. The Experience of Meaning in Life from a Psychological Perspective. The Experience of Meaning in Life from a Psychological Perspective. 10 Jan. 1999. Web. 30 Apr. 2011. <http://purl.oclc.org/net/cleath/writings/meaning.htm>. \n\nPictures:\nhttp://worldofstock.com/slides/BGT1924.jpg\nhttp://metrolic.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/older-people-the-web1.jpg\n\nOne indication that meaning in life may be important during old age is that the suicide rate is higher for the elderly (and for adolescents) than for the rest of the population\nresearch reporting that meaninglessness occurs as a reason for suicide in 57% of men&#x2019;s notes and 75% of women&#x2019;s notes left by people age 60 and over\n\n
Source: \nLeath, Colin. The Experience of Meaning in Life from a Psychological Perspective. The Experience of Meaning in Life from a Psychological Perspective. 10 Jan. 1999. Web. 30 Apr. 2011. <http://purl.oclc.org/net/cleath/writings/meaning.htm>. \n\nPictures:\nhttp://worldofstock.com/slides/BGT1924.jpg\nhttp://heartsandmindsbooks.com/young%20adults%20in%20suits.jpg\nhttp://quixoticonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/stress.jpg\n\nmeaning in life has been of interest, because it is believed to be positively related to psychological well-being in times of crisis.\nFrankl&#x2019;s survival of the concentration camps &#x2026;It has been fairly well established that individuals who are able to find meaning in traumatic and highly stressful life-events are psychologically healthier than those who do not find meaning in what has happened to them\nfind meaning in life or in an event are both psychologically and physically healthier than those who do not.\nmake meaning-finding or -making a more central aspect of therapy\n\n
Pictures:\nhttp://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRD4q3kkWVycAabDRtwhd7Ks-lk3tprDPLU6e1RETULNb9_MeQz4A\nhttp://wavesandwishes.org/make-a-wish_logo4.jpg\nhttp://wish.org/design/wish/images/pic.first-wish.jpg\n\nFor my application, I wanted to donate money to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. This is a foundation that helps children with life-threatening diseases or conditions to make their wishes come true, no matter how big or small. The little girl who was sponsored by my fundraiser as well as Amanda Metricarti&#x2019;s is Raven who is four years old and wanted to go to Disney world. I thought of this because in many religions, good works is part of the meaning of life. Also, I have seen many fundraiser and such for this foundation and I think it&#x2019;s a wonderful thing.\n
Source: \nNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. "What I Need to Know about Hirschsprung Disease." National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Feb. 2010. Web. 09 May 2011. <http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hirschsprungs_ez/>.\n\nPicture:\nhttp://creditmgt.com/user_images/medical%20symbol.jpg\n\nquick fact... at birth your large intestine is approximately 2 ft long. average baby is 20 inches. As an adult, your large intestine is about 5 feet long. children are born with this disease that affects the large intestine. basically it&#x2019;s a condition where the nerve cells that grow along the intestine do not grow all the time to the end. the severity of the disease can be short segmented or long segmented meaning the nerves are only missing at the end of the large intestine or they are missing for entire length and sometimes part of the small intestine.\n
Source: \nNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. "What I Need to Know about Hirschsprung Disease." National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Feb. 2010. Web. 09 May 2011. <http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hirschsprungs_ez/>.\n\nPicture:\nhttp://creditmgt.com/user_images/medical%20symbol.jpg\n\nwith this being said, some of the symptoms include constipation and sometimes intestinal obstruction, slow growth and occasionally anemia.\n\n
Source: \nNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. "What I Need to Know about Hirschsprung Disease." National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, Feb. 2010. Web. 09 May 2011. <http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hirschsprungs_ez/>.\n\nPicture:\nhttp://creditmgt.com/user_images/medical%20symbol.jpg\n\nthere is a surgery called the pull-through procedure where the diseased segment is removed. after surgery they should maintain a healthy diet and drink lots of fluids and should no longer have problems with constipation.\n
Picture:\nhttp://iwantfinancialpeace.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Recognize-Abundance-Secrets-to-Live-Life-To-The-Fullest.jpg \n\nIn conclusion I found that good works and good faith is a good way to find the meaning of life. Also from the Buddhist perspective, finding happiness and eliminating the impurities... basically living life happily to the fullest and making the most out of every thing.\n\n
