Nature, Animals, and Meaning in Life

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter argues against human-centredness in theorizing about meaning in life. First, it argues that the non-human natural world can be a source of meaning in human lives in ways that theorists often ignore. Second, it argues that the non-human natural world can also be a locus of meaningful lives. According to many theories of meaning in life, at least some cognitively sophisticated, emotionally complex, social non-human animals (such as elephants and wolves) are capable of leading meaningful lives. The most plausible way to rule out the possibility of meaningful animal lives would be to adopt criteria for meaning so strict that many human lives would also be prevented from having meaning.