Hines UW-L Journal of Undergraduate Research XI (2008) The Meaning of Life

The focus of my project is to explore how humans have approached the question “What is the meaning of life”. Throughout time this question has vexed humans, particularly into the modern era. Since the Age of Reason and the Age of Enlightenment we have been confident in reason. It has allowed us to understand the world in terms such as mathematics and the sciences. Though we have come far, there are still many questions we are left with, “why does the world work in the way it does way, ” “how did this all come to be, ” and so forth. Although we have not found definitive answers to the questions of life, there is still a need for continuing contemplation. To quote Einstein, “the important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. ” Einstein understood one of the fundamental aspects of human nature; we try to interpret and seek to understand. It is through this process that we not only gain knowledge of the world but, also of ourselves and what it means to be human. Using mythology, religion, the arts, and sciences we have worked towards understanding our lives and expressing our understanding. There have been many answers offered to the question “What is the meaning of life. ” I plan to explore in great detail how these answers given relate and how it is that their meanings function, giving significance to our lives