The Meaning of Life
Thaddeus Metz · 2023 · Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy
Summary
Contemporary analytic survey of theories of what makes a life meaningful, including supernaturalist, naturalist, objective-list, subjectivist, and nihilist positions.
Why it matters here
The standard reference for any claim about life-purpose, growth-through-suffering, or meaning-making; it keeps existential claims distinct from evidence claims.
Linked claims
An ancient, cross-cultural meaning-making frame — 'everything happens for a reason', 'it's destiny / fate', 'people come into your life for a reason'. Comforting after the fact; harmful when applied to others' suffering. Pure interpretation, no evidence.
A widespread frame supported by NDE life reviews and post-traumatic growth literature. Cosmic curriculum is interpretation.
A widespread spiritual interpretation. There is no independent way to test whether lessons are being assigned, completed, or graded.
Post-traumatic growth (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996) is documented across many populations. Not everyone grows; those who do report real change.
Related evidence hubs
Life purpose, growth, synchronicity, soul groups, destiny.
Growth, suffering, synchronicity, calling.
Determinism, free will, destiny.
Children's past-life memories, birthmark cases, and the rebirth interpretation.
Past-life memories, karma, soul contracts.
World religions and traditions, scored as systems.