A Journey to a Meaningful Life

Albert A. Garcia
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Introduction
Philosophy provides no definite answers to life’s questions. Instead, the discipline offers an
array of perspectives on how one can do about their questions in life. Thus, the very life-blood of
philosophy is not the answer to questions but questions themselves. As long as there are questions,
philosophy will never cease to exist. Perhaps, Aristotle was right in his claim that man by nature
desires to know. This desire for knowledge makes man tires himself regarding the most meaningful
questions that shape the very meaning of life to any human.

The Self and the Others

Socrates’ famous dictum “The unexamined life is not worth living” reminds one that the
meaning of life can be dependent on how well one has examined their own life. This inward-looking
paves the way for how worthy life can be. Now, as I reflect on Socrates’ pronouncement, there are
several insights that I want to share.
First, examining oneself means giving time to the self. When I examine myself, I do this within
the bounds of time. Thus, there is a beginning and an end. In short, there is duration. This allows me
to stop with the actions that I am doing and focus on my thoughts, actions, and what can be done in
the future. This will further give me avenues on what better actions and reactions can be done when
a similar scenario comes into play.
Second, examining oneself means providing space for questions regarding the self. When I
examine myself, part of this examination can be crafting questions to myself: Why do I do this and
that? Why is my reaction this? What can be done in the future? These questions and among others,
may lead me to confront myself regarding my strengths, weakness, tendencies, and the like.
Third, examining oneself means I also recognize the others. I believe that my actions have
consequences, which may not necessarily be directed at me. There are instances in my life when my
actions have hurt the feelings of others. Thus, examining myself to become better in the future does
not only help me but also has a social dimension. If I could be better, my relationship with others may
follow the same.
Forth and last, examining myself means relating to myself beyond “I.” This means that myself
is not an entity in isolation but an entity about different entities. The self is relational because I relate
myself to others. The term “others” may be interpreted in several layers. It can be interpreted generally
as something or someone outside myself, others as people, others as other living beings, and others
as non-living things. Thus, relating to these means relating to society at large and the environment.
What could be my actions can affect society and the environment. Needless to say, this affects me
too.

Conclusion: A Meaningful Life

The question of “who and what man is?” is a question that cannot be answered as quickly,
direct, and precisely as the mathematical question “1+1?”. There is a necessity for man to search for
meaning. Indulging into interpretation is significant in this effort. However, man is not a static being.
He is a being-in-action, a being-in-the-process. Knowing and understanding man, then, can be a
continuous process. It may stop temporarily but not permanently. In the end, it could be a lifetime
endeavor. In the same light, understanding the self is a process. If it is a process, there can be no
definite self-label. As the self-engages with other-selves and others as a whole, it can craft meaning
regarding their life. Thus, a journey to a meaningful life can only be possible with others. The self
being an individual, can only find meaning with the others.