What gives life meaning? Is it God, love, money, work, football, shopping, or even Sherlock fan fiction? You might have your own personal sense of purpose, or perhaps you hope this course will help you find one. Some believe they were created with a specific essence—a purpose assigned by God. Regardless of what you believe, it’s natural to seek meaning in life.

As we transition from discussing the philosophy of religion to exploring how people perceive meaning in their lives, we find that many dedicate themselves to finding purpose—whether through religion, social justice, education, or artistic expression. Existentialist philosophers argue that while these things can provide meaning, they do not inherently do so. Philosophy thrives on the dialectic—ideas proposed and then challenged. Sometimes these debates unfold immediately, while others take centuries. In ancient Greece, Plato and Aristotle believed that everything possesses an essence—a core set of properties necessary for defining what a thing is. For example, a knife may have different handle materials, but without a blade, it ceases to be a knife. Its blade is its essential property.

This reasoning was applied to humans by Plato and Aristotle, who maintained that our essence precedes birth. This perspective holds that upholding this essence is what it means to be a good human. It gives individuals a purpose, even though some people may find it difficult to comprehend or live up to their core. Known as essentialism, this viewpoint was popular until the late 19th century and remains significant today.

However, in the........

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