Does life have a meaning? Can we give him one? What are we doing here? Why are we here? What can I hope for? Questions relating to the meaning of life have tortured more than one man in the past, from the anonymous to the most illustrious. Author and philosopher Jean Grondin believes, however, that the question was not posed as explicitly before because this sense, in a way, went without saying. Today, it is as if this meaning is no longer transparent. But how can we understand this notion of "meaning of life"?
First, it is possible to understand it as "directional meaning" : life thus follows a direction that starts from birth and ends with death. But this meaning is not an enigma.
We can also interpret "meaning" as "signifier". According to this approach, life is likely to be significant: we can give it meaning through our sensitivity. Jean Grondin speaks of a "flavor of life" and the meaning of life is, so to speak, an ability to "feel" and enjoy life.
Finally, it is possible to understand the word "sense" as "reflexive capacity", as when speaking of a person of "common sense". This more rational, more scientific approach did not suit Grondin; to find the meaning of life, it is necessary to reach " a certain wisdom which combines experience, reason, and even a certain natural simplicity ".
We can also interpret "meaning" as "signifier". According to this approach, life is likely to be significant: we can give it meaning through our sensitivity. Jean Grondin speaks of a "flavor of life" and the meaning of life is, so to speak, an ability to "feel" and enjoy life.
Finally, it is possible to understand the word "sense" as "reflexive capacity", as when speaking of a person of "common sense". This more rational, more scientific approach did not suit Grondin; to find the meaning of life, it is necessary to reach " a certain wisdom which combines experience, reason, and even a certain natural simplicity ".
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