We are living in such a complicated period, without certainties, risking not understanding more where we are going

Keeping the bar straight of your life today, giving it meaning, is increasingly complicated, as the difficulties that touch or affect our days follow one another at a pressing pace.

Continuous challenges to withstand the impact of a world that is changing, too quickly, where it seems that only others can make it, where it is easy to end up in river current that can marginalize, debase and reduce hopes.

But have we ever asked ourselves if the difficulty in interpreting the meaning of life today are the result of an exceptional convergence of factors complication or whether, in the past world, they were repeated.

We can take for example five very famous philosophers such as Platone, Seneca, Epicurus, Aristotele and Socrates, to understand whether, since the night of the times, these reflections on the meaning of life were current.

The meaning of life according to Platone

Platone, one of the greatest philosophers in Western history, had a profound and complex vision of the meaning of life, which can be understood by examining his numerous works.

For Platone, the meaning of life lies in the search for truth, in the realization of virtue and justice and in the understanding of the eternal realities of the World of Ideas. Through philosophy, the individual can come closer to these truths and live a life full of meaning and purpose.

We can identify some central ideas that constitute his understanding of the meaning and purpose of human life:

The World of Ideas

At the heart of Platone's philosophy is his theory of Forms or Ideas. According to this theory, the real and tangible world we live in is only a shadow or an imperfect copy of the true World of Ideas. These Ideas are eternally true, immutable and perfect.

The Soul

Platone believed in the immortality of 'soul. According to him, the soul pre-exists physical birth and continues to exist after death. The goal of the soul, during its earthly existence, is to remember and understand the eternal truths it knew before its incarnation.

Education and Knowledge

Platone argued that the true purpose of education is not to transmit new knowledge, but rather to "awaken" the soul to the knowledge it already possesses. The act of "remembering" or becoming aware of the Forms is fundamental to the realization of one's potential.

Virtue and Justice

Another central theme in the works of Platone is the importance of virtue and justice. For him, living a virtuous and righteous life is essential for the well-being of the soul. Justice, in particular, is understood as the harmony of the soul, where each part plays its role.

Philosophy as a practice of life

Platone saw philosophy not only as a field of study, but also as a life practice. The philosopher, through his search for truth and his aspiration for wisdom, tries to get as close as possible to the World of Ideas and, in this way, fully realizes his own potential.

The meaning of life according to Socrates

Socrates is considered one of the great precursors of Western philosophy, and although he did not leave no writings, his ideas and his thoughts have been handed down through the works of his disciples, in particular Plato.

For Socrates, the meaning of life was closely linked to the search for virtue, self-understanding and the constant aspiration for truth. The authentic and meaningful life was one lived in coherence with one's conscience and in constant examination of one's beliefs and actions.

For Socrates, reflection on the meaning of life was closely linked to the concept of "knowing oneself" and the examined life. Some of Socrates' central ideas about the meaning and purpose of life include:

The Importance of Self-Examination

Socrates is famous for his statement "An unexamined life is not worth living." This highlights the importance of constantly and critically examining one's beliefs, actions and behaviors. Only through careful reflection and self-examination can a person live an authentic and meaningful life.

Virtue as Knowledge

Socrates believed that no one commits evil willfully and that ignorance was the cause of immoral behavior. So, for him, knowing good is doing good. If a person truly knows what is right, he will act accordingly.

The Imperativeness of Conscience

Socrates gave great importance to the inner voice or conscience. He believed that following one's conscience and acting on one's integrity was paramount, even at the cost of facing adverse consequences.

Death as Transition

Even if Socrates did not provided an elaborate doctrine on the afterlife, he expressed a serene vision of death. In Platone's "Phaedo", Socrates discusses death as a possible transition to deeper understanding and greater intimacy with truth.

The Centrality of Dialogue

Socrates firmly believed in power of dialogue as a means to arrive at the truth. Through the Socratic method, a form of critical questioning, he sought to bring people to a clearer understanding of their own beliefs.

The meaning of life according to Epicurus

Epicurus, an ancient Greek philosopher, founded the philosophical school of Epicureanism. His philosophy centers on the idea that the primary goal of human life is the pursuit of pleasure and the avoidance of pain. However, this view of pleasure is often misunderstood.

The meaning of life according to Epicurus is to find happiness through the search for simple and lasting pleasures, the avoidance of pain, the elimination of irrational fears and cultivation of deep friendships. Philosophy, for Epicurus, was primarily a tool for achieving a happy life.

Let's see Epicurus' main ideas regarding the meaning of life:

Pleasure and Pain

Epicurus identifies pleasure and pain as the main criteria for determining what is good or bad. But pleasure, according to Epicurus, is not purely physical or sensual. The highest pleasure is tranquility of the soul (ataraxia) and the absence of physical pain (aponia).

Intellectual Pleasure vs. Physical Pleasure

Although Epicurus recognized the physical pleasures, he argued that the pleasures of the soul, such as friendship, knowledge and philosophical reflection, were superior to the pleasures of the body. These intellectual pleasures are long-lasting and do not lead to negative consequences.

Elimination of Irrational Fears

Epicurus believed that many our pains stemmed from irrational fears, such as the fear of the gods or of death. According to him, understanding nature through philosophy can help us free ourselves from these fears. For example, arguing that death is simply the cessation of sensation, Epicurus argued that we should not fear death because it does not represent suffering.

Simple Life

Epicurus recommended a simple life, in where natural, necessary desires (such as food, water, and shelter) are satisfied, but unnecessary desires (such as luxuries) are minimized. This helps reduce the pain and distress associated with unfulfilled desires.

Friendship

One of the greatest sources of pleasure, according to Epicurus, it is friendship. Friendship not only provides joy and pleasure, but also security and support, thus helping to achieve a happy and contented life.

The meaning of life according to Seneca

Seneca, a prominent Roman Stoic philosopher, offered a detailed vision of life and how we should live it to achieve lasting happiness and tranquility.

The meaning of life according to Seneca is to live with virtue, make the most of the time we have, accept what is outside of our control, and constantly seek to improve. Through these practices, we can achieve deep serenity and satisfaction in life.

Here are some of his main ideas regarding the meaning of life:

Living according to Nature

Like other Stoics, Seneca emphasized the importance of living "according to Nature". This does not mean living like animals or returning to a primitive state, but rather recognizing and living in harmony with the natural order of the world and our true rational nature.

Virtue as the Supreme Good

Seneca, in line with Stoicism, believed that virtue was the supreme good. Living virtuously, that is, with wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance, is not only intrinsically good, but also leads to a happy and meaningful life.

Indifference towards External Things

The Stoics, including Seneca, believed that we should focus on what is under our direct control (i.e. our actions and judgments) and accept with indifference things outside of our control. This helps avoid unnecessary suffering and maintain calm in the face of adversity.

Death as a Natural Part of Life

Seneca has written a lot about death, emphasizing that it is a natural and inevitable part of life. We must accept it and not fear it. In fact, reflecting on our mortality can help us live a more focused life and appreciate the present.

Time as a Precious Resource

One of the most famous works by Seneca is "De Brevitate Vitae" ("On the Brevity of Life"), in which he discusses the importance of using our time wisely. He criticizes those who waste their lives on futile pursuits and emphasizes the importance of living fully and with intent.

Training and Self-Improvement

Seneca emphasized the he importance of education and self-improvement. Through study and reflection, we can cultivate virtue, sharpen our judgment, and live a life more in line with our true nature.

The meaning of life according to Aristotele

Aristotele, one of the most eminent philosophers of ancient Greece, paid much attention to the question of the supreme good and the meaning of life for human beings.

For Aristotle, the meaning of life lies in the search for eudaimonia, which can be achieved by living virtuously, using our rational capacity, actively participating in the life of the community and pursuing both practical and theoretical activities. His vision emphasizes the integration of mind, body and soul on a path to well-being and realizing one's potential.

Here are his main ideas:

Eudaimonia (Happiness or Flowering)

Aristotele argued that the ultimate goal of human life is eudaimonia, a term often translated as "happiness", but which could be better described such as "flourishing" or "realizing one's potential." This does not refer to momentary pleasure or ephemeral joy, but to a kind of overall and lasting well-being.

Virtue and Means

For Aristotele, the key to to achieve eudaimonia is to live virtuously. Virtues are stable dispositions that lead us to act appropriately. Aristotle introduced the concept of the "golden mean", arguing that virtue lies in the middle between two extremes, excess and deficiency.

Rationality

Aristotle underlined the importance of the rationale of the soul. According to him, the ability to reason is what distinguishes humans from other animals, and living in accordance with this rational nature is fundamental to realizing one's potential.

Theoretical Life vs Practical Life

While moral virtue is associated with practical life and ethical action, Aristotele also identified an "intellectual virtue" associated with theoretical life, such as study and contemplation. He suggested that, in its highest form, eudaimonia can be found in the life of philosophical contemplation.

Dependence on the Polis (City-State)

Aristotele he argued that man is a "political animal", meaning that we are naturally predisposed to live in communities. Eudaimonia, therefore, is not only an individual endeavor, but also depends on active participation in the life of the polis and on having virtuous relationships with others.

Training

Aristotele emphasized the importance of training and education to cultivate virtues and achieve a good life. Education not only imparts knowledge but also shapes character.

Automatic translation. We apologize for any inaccuracies. Original article in Italian