Eagleton starts chapter four in similar fashion to the first three chapters, which is to analyze the literary and language ambiguities associated with the contemplation of the meaning of life. The fourth chapter tasks itself with the abstract construct of the definition of life. Eagleton ponders what is exactly “meant” when describing life according to its various distinctions both literally and subjectively. For example, is life actually the journey between life and death? Is it the diverse components of that journey such as family, work, spirituality? Or could it be some combination of both? Perhaps life is composite of the very inherent human acts of love and the pursuit of happiness? In mid chapter Eagleton propagates that “language could not represent the world as a whole”, which is intending to say that the meaning of life can not be understood through language as the value of the linguistic form has different meanings to different people, but rather life can only be fully understood through the “action” of interacting with others. In other words, Eagleton theorizes that we can only truly experience the meaning of life through our experience with others. Therefore, there must be a direct correlation to the meaning of life and how we relate to one another. He sides with most moral philosophers in stating that in helping others we ultimately help ourselves which is inherent to the true nature of humanity.
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2 Comments
Interesting enough, I agree with Eagleton that “life” is more than just a word. It is the actions, decisions, relationships that defines who, what, we are/ to become. A word is just a word until we put some weight behind it. Illustrated by the magnanimous spirit of how we treat others in our path, is one way we gauge our “life.” On the other hand, perhaps living in isolation, does not absolve one from living a life. A plethora of individuals have ventured into the great wide open, alone, who have had what some may call…a life. It is perhaps the aptitude of how we apply ourselves that defines a successful life. A big, bright, successful life will be determined by the individual. It is the fulness of spirit that will determine the result of one’s life, not the amount of relationships we encounter.
There are so many facets to life- some of which include the spiritual, emotional, intellectual, sexual and financial – that I believe it is impossible to generalize to the majority that “ life can only be fully understood through the ‘action’ of interacting with others.” While life is certainly much more meaningful when you share it with others- through presumably positive interactions, I do not believe that that statement holds true for everyone. As John mentioned, there are many individuls who prefer to live in isolation and there are many individuals who derive pleasure from watching others fail.
Did you ever notice that when you are happy that you tend to treat people better, and that when you are successful, you tend to share more with others? Perhaps the key to life then is achieving personal fullfillment so that you can better serve humanity.
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