13 PHI - Meaning of Life

Camu stages of thinking about the meaning of life

1. Everyday existence (the streetcar example) where we go through the motions and rhythm of each day

2. One day we ask “why” and have to take a step back and look at our life

3. Arrive at an answer for why / what is the meaning of life

4. Live or die according to that answer.

Camu answer to the meaning of life

Camu says that our lives are absurd

Camu is working within a secular framework so he is going to say that we cannot continue to believe in relgion but without relgion there is no objective purpose or meaning to our lives.

Camu’s response to the absurdity of our lives

Belief in absurdity normally means that we should die but Camu says that we should be aware of our revolt, and freedom and that is living to the max.

Sisyphus stages

1. roll boulder to top of mountain

2. ask why am I rolling the ball

3. Choosing to push the rock anyway because I find purpose in being a master of my days

4. Living with an answer

Sisyphus theme

Find purpose in what we want. The struggle toward the height is enough to fill a mans heart.

Craig main thesis

The life of theists in general will tend to be better and more fufilling then those of atheists

(A vs T) life after death

Atheism: says that there is no life after death we are merely a “spark” in time

Theism: says that there should be life after death and this is our objective purpose to get there.

Objection to theism: boredom

Theism: We can have a theistic being that ensures that we are fulfilled in the afterlife too.

(A vs T) Good vs. Evil

Atheism says that all good actions will go unrewarded and all evil actions will go unpunished

Theism: solves the reward and punishment issue

Two examples
plane crash savior
nazi argentina situation

(A vs T) Selfishness

If we are atheist then why not live life totally in self interest. Nobody is here to hold us accountable.

Theism: We should be altruists because there is punishment for bad actors.

(A v. T) difference vs. purpose

All of the scientific advancement we have made, and everything else we do on earth will come to nothing since the universe exists to no purpose

Camu is going to say that you can invent purpose and that is enough to fill a mans heart

theism is going to say that the purpose is to obey god and get into the good afterlife.

Craig vs. Pascal

Pascal is focused on self-interest and the possibility of an afterlife (inf hap vs. inf sad)

Craig is focused on how to make the most / enjoy this life (which is by being a theist)