The Meaning of Life Part 2
(This is a re-write of the other Meaning of Life writing sample, but done in the “voice” of someone who is stoned and really tripping out about the meaning of life.)
Dude, the meaning of life is like this trippy thing that’s been on the minds of humans since the dawn of time, you know? It’s like, everyone’s searching for this answer that’s just beyond reach, man. And the answers are so diverse and mind-boggling, like each one’s as unique as the person who’s coming up with it.
Like, back in ancient times, people would go to the gods for guidance, like they knew something we didn’t. In Greece, Aristotle believed that the purpose of life was to find happiness and fulfill your potential by living a virtuous life and seeking knowledge. That’s deep, man.
And then there’s religion, where the meaning of life is all about serving a higher power or following divine commandments. Like, in Christianity, it’s about loving God and following his rules. In Buddhism, it’s about finding enlightenment and breaking the cycle of reincarnation. In Hinduism, it’s about fulfilling your dharma and reaching liberation. Whoa.
And then there’s existentialism, which is like the complete opposite of all that, man. Existentialists believe that life has no inherent meaning, and that we have to create our own meaning through our actions and experiences. Friedrich Nietzsche was a big fan of this, man. He said “He who has a why to live for can bear almost any how.” That’s heavy, dude.
Nowadays, scientists are getting in on the action, man. Some say that the search for meaning is just a part of human nature, like we’re all programmed to find purpose. But others say that meaning is just a construct of the mind, and there’s no objective meaning to life. Whoa.
But the thing is, man, despite all the different views, one thing’s for sure: the meaning of life is a journey that’s captivating and mind-blowing. Whether there’s an objective meaning or we have to create our own, the search is one that’s been on the minds of humans for centuries, and it’s going to keep going for centuries to come. And that’s deep, man. The meaning of life is like this personal, subjective thing that’s different for everyone, but the journey is what really matters. It’s like, you can find growth, fulfillment, and understanding in the journey itself. Whoa.