Exam 59: Richard Taylor

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing. Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification. -In Taylor's view, the point of living is:

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing. Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification. -What is Sisyphus condemned to do? What is it about Sisyphus's task that renders it meaningless, in Taylor's view? What could be done to give Sisyphus's task meaning?

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing. Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification. -Taylor claims that the two types of meaningfulness that Sisyphus's life can have is a strange compulsion, and infinite boredom.

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing. Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification. -Taylor claims that if Sisyphus's labors were to culminate in a beautiful and enduring temple:

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing. Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification. -Taylor characterizes the life of the world as:

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing. Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification. -Taylor concludes that the meaning of life comes from:

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing. Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification. -Despite his claim that human lives are objectively meaningless, Taylor claims that our lives can achieve a certain kind of meaning. What does he mean by this, and how does he argue for it? Do you agree that the kind of meaning he describes is the kind that matters? Defend your answer.

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing. Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification. -Taylor claims that a human life can acquire a meaning when one:

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing. Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification. -Taylor claims that if Sisyphus's life were to become objectively meaningful, this would actually be a negative thing. What is his argument for this claim? What conclusions does he draw from this argument regarding human lives? Do you find his position plausible?

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing. Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification. -Explain Taylor's argument for the conclusion that human lives are objectively meaningless. What do you think is the strongest objection to this argument? Do you think it can be overcome?

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing. Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification. -In Taylor's view:

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing. Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification. -Taylor defines meaninglessness as:

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing. Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification. -What two types of meaning in life does Taylor distinguish? Which does he think is preferable, and why? Do you agree with his assessment?

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing. Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification. -Taylor maintains that the myth of Sisyphus provides an appropriate metaphor for our lives.

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing. Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification. -Taylor argues that objective and rational meaningfulness is superior to subjective and irrational meaningfulness.

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing. Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification. -According to Taylor, the life of Sisyphus represents the life of:

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing. Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification. -Taylor claims that what renders Sisyphus's life meaningless is that:

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing. Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification. -Taylor claims that the meaning of life is from within us.

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing. Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification. -What is the point of life, according to Taylor? Where does he think that meaning in life comes from? Do you find his view plausible? Why or why not?

Richard Taylor: The Meaning of Life To understand the question of whether life has any meaning, Taylor begins by considering a clear case of a meaningless life: the mythical character of Sisyphus. Sisyphus is condemned by the gods to roll a stone to the top of a hill every day, only to have it roll back down each night. Taylor claims that Sisyphus's life is meaningless not because it involves monotonous work, but because it does not achieve any significant culmination; all his labors simply come to nothing. Nonetheless, Sisyphus's life could be given a certain kind of meaning if he happened to be instilled with a strong desire to do nothing but roll stones, so that each day he was doing exactly what he most wanted to be doing. Taylor argues that human lives are analogous to the plight of Sisyphus in that they, too, lack any significant culmination. Like nonhuman animals, humans pass through certain phases, reproduce, and ultimately die, only for the cycle to begin all over again. Civilizations rise and fall, and ultimately nothing enduring comes of it. Nonetheless, Taylor argues that human lives can be given the exact same kind of meaning that Sisyphus's could have. Most human beings have an inner compulsion to go about their lives and pursue their projects, despite the objective meaninglessness of doing so. This type of meaning, is actual superior to the type of meaning that involves a significant culmination, for any such objective meaning would lead only to boredom. Taylor concludes that the point of life is simply living, driven to pursue our ends by desires that lack any ultimate justification. -In Taylor's view, meaninglessness is essentially endless pointlessness.