View Of A Meaningful Life
n module three of this course, you explored several views of what gives meaning to our lives. In particular, Susan Wolf presents the view that life can only have meaning if we are actively engaged in projects of worth. She provides several examples of both active engagement and projects of worth to demonstrate ways that we might be involved in activities that do not engage us even if they have worth, and cases where we are actively engaged but the projects are worthless.
For this essay, provide a clear summary—in your own words—of Wolf’s understanding of these two elements of a meaningful life. After summarizing Wolf’s position, provide original examples of three cases:
A life with active engagement but without a project of worth
A life without active engagement but with a project of worth
A life with active engagement and a project of worth
In the final section of your essay, answer the following questions:
Are you convinced that Wolf’s view of a meaningful life is “correct” or the best for making sense of a meaningful life?
If you agree with Wolf, provide an example of how you see yourself actively engaged in a project of worth.
If you disagree with Wolf, what do you think is necessary for one to have a meaningful life?
This assignment requires you to use close reading skills along with careful and clear presentation of an idea supported by evidence from the assigned texts. This aligns with the following course objectives:
“Analyze significant primary texts and works of art, pre-modern, and modern, as forms of cultural and creative expressions.”
“Frame a comparative context through which they can critically assess the ideas, forces, and values that have created the modern world.”
“Practice the critical and analytical methodologies of the Humanities.”
Here are the recommended steps:
Reread your notes and/or the primary texts to be used (Wolf).
Develop a clear account of Wolf’s view of active engagement in projects of worth.
Summarize how Wolf explains a meaningful life (the first set of questions above).
Draft a clear and concise introduction to your essay including a thesis statement that responds to the questions listed above.
Take the summaries from steps 2 and 3 above and write them into complete paragraphs.
Consider Wolf’s account of a meaningful life and check to see if it fits with your idea of a meaningful life.
Write a paragraph stating your answer to step 6.
View of a Meaningful Life
Name Course Instructor Date
Susan Wolf argues that meaningful life requires active engagement and projects of worth. Active engagement implies that one purposely chooses to be actively involved in one's life and not merely seeking pleasurable activities and making effort in other aspects of life. Projects of worth are successful solutions and are impactful, unlike the case of merely working for the sake of getting as much money as possible without living a purposeful life. The idea of projects of worth also reflects projects in life that have a positive value. People need to create values and meaning and activities are valuable when they are worth pursuing.
A life with active engagement in experiences or activities that they found enjoyable makes it likely that they will be fulfilled. Even when it takes time to realize a meaningful goal, active engagement is an important component of meaningfulness. Active engagement requires commitment, and especially when there is interest in what one is doing. An example of a life with active engagement but without a project of worth is when one is actively engaged in gaining wealth by whatever means necessary, as this is not a worthwhile project of value. Engagement requires that one is connected to something valuable or useful in their life in contrast to engaging in activities or experiences that are unfulfilling.
When there are projects of worth, then people tend to realize a purposeful meaning as life is worth living. People tend to find meaning in experiences that they value and valuable activities. Engagement in projects of worth goes beyond doing some...