Perhaps one of the most significant philosophical questions in the history of all mankind, which absolutely each of us asked - "what is the meaning of life." No one can give an exact answer to it, and this is not taught in school. But how sometimes you want to know exactly what we live for and what we must do.
Usually, people start asking themselves it from adolescence. Children are not interested in such questions at all. For them, the main thing is to know where mom and dad, home, favorite toy are. Parents can answer all such questions, and there are no problems.
But as you grow older, various topics arise in your head more and more often, which a person often thinks alone. To the question of what life is, everyone will answer in their own way. And each person must decide on their own with such questions, because in the future their own position, and the goals set, and ways to achieve them, that is, the path of life, will depend on this.
Life is…
Agree that it is rather difficult to answer unambiguously. You can say it in different waysfrom various positions. Someone will take this question literally and answer that this is the physiological existence of a person or animal. Physicists mean by the concept of "life" the physical movement of matter from one form of existence to another.
These are all correct opinions, but often, when asking about what life is, the interlocutor wants to know the life position of the respondent. That is, it is necessary to give not a scientific definition, but a philosophical understanding of the issue. And here the essence of human thinking is already revealed.
And throughout life, the answer to the question “what is life” may differ for the same person. This is due to the fact that every year any of us develops, learns something, becomes wiser.
One can trace the main trends in understanding the meaning of human life in the context of different age groups. Consider them without indicating numerical characteristics, because everyone grows up in their own way:
- Childhood, youth.
- Transitional age, becoming an adult.
- The accumulation of life experience.
- Physical aging, gaining wisdom.
First period: childhood, adolescence
As mentioned above, the answer to the question of what life is, at this age is very difficult to give. During this period, it all comes down to the fact that the child is a sponge that absorbs all the information around. It may be different and, accordingly, will have a different influence on its formation in the future.
Any philosophical questions about the meaning of being do not even arise at such a young age. The main thing is that mom and dad be he althy, protect, "peace to the world." The younger the child, the more frank, the emotions are more true.
Second stage
The next period is when yesterday a little man, and today a teenager who tells everything, begins to ask many questions, overestimate good and evil.
From childhood, from cartoons, fairy tales, from parents or teachers, everyone heard about what things can be done and what is forbidden, what is true and false. But for about 14-17 years, all these things have been involuntarily rethought by each emerging personality.
And already the question “what is human life” does not seem so far away. Yes, every teenager thinks about it all the time. At this stage, the right support from the elders - parents, relatives and friends is very important.
Knowing the world through denial
First of all, there are signs that a person thinks not only about himself, but also about the society in which he lives. Basically, teenagers find the meaning of life in learning well, getting a well-paid job that will bring not only money, but also pleasure, start a family, take care of their loved ones.
A person learns not to accept absolutely all facts as truth, but tries to question everything in order to find their evidence.
What is wrong with this understanding ofwhat is the essence of life? Absolutely nothing. Of course, there is a certain amount of naivety and faith in the universal good, but where at that age without it?
Adolescents who have been in any way disadvantaged in care, guardianship or something else, may begin to show notes of selfishness. Someone begins to believe that the main thing in life is to succeed by any means, the main thing is not to be the most hungry, etc. Of course, such people are mistaken, but the blame for such thoughts can be conscientiously laid on parents who could not bring up in a child needs the qualities of a kind and sympathetic person.
Experience Stage
It can be attributed to the period of life when a person has become an adult and is fully responsible for all his actions.
By this age, everyone can already say for themselves exactly what the essence of human life is. The answer to this question lies in the life path that a person has traveled. Basically, by this time, people begin to strive to start a family, achieve material success.
Men often think that the meaning of their lives comes down to the saying “build a house, raise a son, plant a tree”. That is, create your own family, become financially secure and give continuation to your family. Women at this age are ready to fully devote their lives to the hearth and children.
In addition, in adulthood, people already have a certain amount of knowledge and experience behind their shoulders, they share it with their loved ones. But the desire to learn something new, to strive for new heights has not yet disappeared. Many begin to achieve serious shifts forward in their careers.stairs.
Fourth stage
The final stage, when a person rethinks his life, the tasks set, the goals achieved - this is the period of the end of a working career, retirement. This happens at different ages for different people, but you can focus on the age over 50-55 years.
By this period, children are already growing up, we alth has been accumulated. What to do next? Considering that physical labor at this age is difficult to achieve the same results as in youth, people prefer to pay more attention to mental labor.
Analyzing his life, various situations, a person can accurately determine for himself what is life and what is death. Having achieved everything or having tried to do everything possible, a person of advanced age mainly thinks about passing on his wisdom to children and grandchildren. He thinks less of himself and worries more about his family.
Death is no longer perceived as something terrible and distant, but as a normal stage that ends life, peace. Someone wants to do everything that has not yet been done, but really wanted to.
You need to learn to live right
It is very important to learn from such people, to adopt their life experience. After all, they can say with accuracy what has a place in life, and what should not be done. And the younger their interlocutor is, the more difficult it is for him to understand them, but you should always listen, because after years everyone will be able to confirm everything said by senior mentors on their own experience.
Humanity lives in cycles, and the saying that everything new is the well-forgotten old is true. Elderly people did not hear about everything on the radio, but felt it from personal experience, touched everything with their own hands and tasted it. It is this circumstance that makes their knowledge invaluable. The main meaning of life, as people of this age generally believe, is to educate a new generation, exchange information, and transfer experience.
Final words
What is the essence and meaning of life, each person decides for himself. Opinion on this matter can change many times at different stages of life. This is due to the gradual accumulation of life experience.
Often all opinions are focused on creating, protecting one's family, doing good deeds, helping people. Someone wants to help all of humanity, others want to become famous. Everyone has their own purpose in life.
What is your meaning of life? Take your time with the answer, think, write it down on a piece of paper and put the paper in the box. After 10 years, find this leaflet and compare your opinions.
