More of Finding the Meaning in Life

In a recent post, I wrote about the philosophy of Viktor Frankl. There's another wrinkle to that post which is worthy of sharing.

While a heady and often misunderstood concept, Frankl defines some very interesting aspects of existentialism.

The aspect of Frankl's philosophy that remains highly relevant for us entrepreneurially minded folks is a concept called the EXISTENTIAL VACUUM.

According to Frankl, the EXISTENTIAL VACUUM experienced by 20th century man suggests that:

"No instinct tells him what to do, and no tradition tells him what he ought to do; sometimes he does not even know what he wishes to do. Instead he either wishes to do what other people do (conformism) or he does what other people wish him to do (totalitarianism). The existential vacuum manifests itself mainly in a state of boredom."

"What matters, therefore, is not the meaning of life in general, but rather the specific meaning of a person's life at a given moment. Thus, everyone's task is as unique as is his specific opportunity to implement it."

This blog is here to both share ideas as well as inspire the implementation of ideas everywhere. If you ever feel like this existential vacuum is stuck to your rear end, what could you possibly do to reduce or shut off the suction?

You need to take action.

Since your life's work is not usually obvious, the ONLY way you will know is try a few things and then check your reaction to them. If it feels good, keep going. Taking action on one of your ideas puts you "in the moment" and and gives your life meaning.

What idea do you have that is waiting for you to take action?

Comments

[Arash Sayadi]

As a starting note, I've not yet read any of Frankl's books. So, I don't have a full comprehension of his works. However, the quote above caught my attention. I'm not sure I agree with Frankl's comment that that "What matters...is not the meaning of life in general, but rather the specific meaning of a person's life at a given moment."

In fact, we all need and can have a general meaning and goal in life. No doubt, this is not JUST an intrinsic investigation or calling, but a matching of intrinsic characteristics with the needs of the world. Without a chosen destination, an end goal in life, we'll never find a cohesive whole that gives our life meaning. This end goal is the meaning. By having a different meaning depending on a "given moment", we risk a fractured life that forces us to question the meaning of life as the "given moment" passes, along with its purpose and our role in it.

I can see how dramatic changes or upheavals in one's life can lead to a reprioritization of the immediate goals. This is no different than saying that if a person's survival is threatened, then his want to be loved matters very little at that moment. For example, if facing a loaded gun at point blank, I'll likely not obsess over the intricacies of whether I have a psychologically fulfilling career. This follow's Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.

I think we not only need a meaning in life, we can easily have it. All we need to do is define it. Consider Mother Teresa's comment when asked how she defined the meaning of life. She said, "I am a little pencil in the hand of a writing God who is sending a love letter to the world." All her actions, her caring nature, her travels through her years, her want to give love to those emotionally starved, flows from this one statement. This is her meaning and mission in life. Her good nature, an intrinsic characteristic, married with the needs of the world. She chose this path and defined her meaning.

Frankl may be saying that there isn't a single meaning of life. This is part of the existentialist axiom: the life of flesh and bone defines our meaning individually, for each person differently. Our lives are then the experiences we have and what meaning we CHOOSE to associate with them. The existentionalist would assert that philosophy in the abstract, trying to define a single meaning and purpose in life, is a wasted effort and endeavor. The individual's struggle, the rising above over such farce, gives man power to exist and experience life. In the words of Nietzsche, this is when one becomes an "over-man", overcoming the struggle with such anchors.

[Tim Tyrell-Smith]

Arash -

Thanks for adding your learned perspective here. You clearly have a nice handle on the larger context here. I like the Mother Teresa perspective. Makes me think . . .