Affiliation:
1. University of the Witwatersrand
Abstract
Abstract
I examine two recent books by analytic philosophers that address the underexplored topic of whether the meaning of life depends on the existence of a supernatural realm including God and a soul. John Cottingham’s On the Meaning of Life defends a supernaturalist conception of life’s meaning, whereas Kurt Baier’s Problems of Life and Death defends the opposite, naturalist perspective. I show that their respective arguments are worth serious consideration, indicate some potential weaknesses in them, and suggest some other argumentative strategies that those interested in this fascinating topic might pursue elsewhere in more depth.
Reference16 articles.
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2. Baier, Kurt. 1997. Problems of Life and Death: A Humanist Perspective. Amherst, NY: Prometheus Books.
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4. Cottingham, John. 2003. On the Meaning of Life. New York: Routledge.10.4324/9780203164242
5. Cottingham, John. 2005. The Spiritual Dimension: Religion, Philosophy and Human Value. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.10.1017/CBO9780511614866
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