Existence & Meaning of Life · The source of meaning in life

Cosmic Teleology / Meaning Realism

Meaning is something already there to discover, rather than merely something we confer.

What it claims

Cosmic teleology and meaning realism treat meaning in life as an objective matter independent of a person's attitudes. Strong versions hold that the universe is directed toward a purpose; theistic versions locate it in a creator's intention. Weaker versions need no cosmic purpose, only that some lives are objectively more meaningful than others by standards independent of satisfaction.

Nearby positions

Goes together with
Classical TheismPanentheism

Key thinkers

Thomas Aquinas · Thomas Nagel · Thaddeus Metz · John Cottingham · Susan Wolf