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Liveliness as a Theory of Meaning in Life: Problems and Prospects
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 20 November 2023
Abstract
I aim to more fully develop a theory of meaning in life based on the concept of life force that is important to a substantial number of Africans in the sub-Sahara region. While life force implies a large invisible ontology, Thaddeus Metz has recently developed an entirely naturalistic version of it known as liveliness. However, he also offers two objections that hinge on the idea that life force cannot accommodate intuitions that certain types of knowledge and progress are valuable for their own sakes. I respond by noting that elsewhere Metz has developed a defense of the intrinsic value of knowledge by appealing to the idea that meeting a person's existential needs can be important for self-realization and hence for their meaning. If this is right, then the community ought to support such a person in their pursuit of knowledge even if doing so leads to no useful outcomes.
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- Information
- Journal of the American Philosophical Association , Volume 10 , Issue 4 , December 2024 , pp. 797 - 813
- Copyright
- Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the American Philosophical Association
Footnotes
Thanks to two anonymous referees and an associate editor at the Journal of the American Philosophical Association for helpful comments, including some pertinent objections. A version of this paper was also presented at the Fifth International Conference on Philosophy and Meaning in Life.