Running head: HUMAN STRUGGLE FOR SIGNIFICANCE AND MEANING IN LIFE 1

Human Struggle for Significance and Meaning in Life

Name

Institution
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The Human Search for Meaning and Significance in Life

For a long time, people have been searching for purpose and value in their lives. Because of this,

a large number of authors have investigated this subject to see what steps humanity has taken to

achieve it. Early Greek thinkers such as Homer, Socrates, and Sophocles all addressed the issues

raised above. People's need for significance and importance leads them to believe that the

meaning of life is more varied for each individual..

In The Iliad, Homer explores this idea by focusing on the battles between the Trojans

and the mortal Greeks, which occur frequently. In addition to the two, he also observes the

ongoing battles between the gods. Homer sees the immortals as playing a crucial part in the

conflict and the lives of the people because they continuously interrupt and share their wisdom

with them. Homer indicates that the fate of humanity may be prophesied by select mortals,

despite the fact that humanity struggles to find meaning in existence. (8th-century Homer)

However, the gods can scarcely control the forces that determine their fate. As a result, humans

are hesitant to put their faith in fate since they see it in the context of Zeus, which continuously

changes. The gods have a duty to safeguard the destiny of humanity when it is set in stone.

Achilles, in particular, is a pivotal character who illustrates the necessity of destiny's fulfilment.

Sophocles, on the other hand, shows that people strive to live their lives to the utmost in

Antigone. Despite this, their lives are frequently derailed as a result of their conflict, and they

never allow happiness to be their first concern. Despite this, the wish of humanity is always there

in every deed and decision (Sophocles, 441 BCE). Such an ideology becomes self-indulgent as a

result of being exposed to regular duties. However, achieving one's goals is seen as a natural part

of making one's life worthwhile. Antigone demonstrates the human condition by willfully
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breaking the law in order to bury her deceased brother. In light of the consequences of her acts,

she refuses to abide by her uncle Kreon's lawful orders.

Humanity's ultimate goal in life should be pursued by Socrates in The Apology of

Socrates, according to the dialogues of Plato. This refers to a person's overall feeling of

contentment. Early discussions by him are meant to provide light on the meaning of virtue and

nature. People gain a better understanding of what it means to be happy and healthy by studying

these books. "The unexamined life is not worth living" is one of the most famous quotes in the

Apology (Plato, 399 BCE). For him, the pursuit of knowledge is the only thing that matters in

life. Socrates believes that when people are upright and seek knowledge, they should prefer to

suffer injustice rather than perpetrate one..

The Iliad, Antigone, and The Apology of Socrates are all examined in this examination of

humanity's fight for significance and relevance in life. immortals play an important role in The

Iliad's story. Conflict and battle are harmed as a result of their experience and knowledge. Good

people are seen to suffer in Antigone, though, since others are envious and violent. When it

comes to Socrates, he believes the pursuit of knowledge and morality is the only way to discover

one's life's purpose..

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References

Homer. (8th Century). The Iliad. Retrieved from https://www.gutenberg.org/files/6130/old/6130-

pdf.pdf.

Plato. (399 BCE). The Apology of Socrates. Retrieved from

https://www.sjsu.edu/people/james.lindahl/courses/Phil70A/s3/apology.pdf.

Sophocles. (441 BCE). Antigone. Retrieved from

https://mthoyibi.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/antigone_2.pdf.