PhB Bachelor of Philosophy Bachelor of Philosophy: The Meaning of Life 5

Question 1

The 'narrative theory' of life's meaning holds that a life is meaningful when:

Accepted Answer

It coheres as a unified story with intelligible structure

Answer

Narrative theorists like Alasdair MacIntyre argue that meaning emerges when one's life can be understood as a coherent narrative with goals, setbacks, and character development.

Question 2

Which thought experiment asks whether a being of vastly superior intelligence could make life objectively meaningful in a way humans cannot see?

Accepted Answer

The 'God's eye view' argument

Answer

The 'God's eye view' or cosmic perspective argument considers whether meaning might be objectively real but only discernible from a vantage point beyond human cognition.

Question 3

Existential philosopher Martin Heidegger argued that confronting 'Being-toward-death' (Sein-zum-Tode) leads to:

Accepted Answer

Authentic existence and genuine self-ownership

Answer

Heidegger held that only by fully owning our mortality can we break free from das Man (the 'they-self') and live authentically.

Question 4

Confucian philosophy approaches the meaning of life primarily through the lens of:

Accepted Answer

Relational roles, ritual propriety (li), and cultivating ren (benevolence)

Answer

Confucianism grounds meaning in fulfilling one's roles (parent, child, ruler, subject) with proper ritual and cultivating benevolent regard for others.

Question 5

The 'anti-natalist' position in philosophy of meaning, associated with David Benatar, argues that:

Accepted Answer

Coming into existence always harms the person brought into being, making procreation wrong

Answer

Benatar's asymmetry argument holds that the absence of pain is good even when there is no one to enjoy it, making non-existence preferable to existence.

PhB Bachelor of Philosophy Practice Test

PhB Bachelor of Philosophy Practice Test

PhB Bachelor of Philosophy Bachelor of Philosophy: The Meaning of Life 5