This is book 2 from a series of 10 books titled "Life After Death - Answers and New Insights. This book addresses 'The Meaning of Life,' drawing from various sources, philosophical and religious perspectives, scientific insights, and biographic and autobiographical reflections. The author sheds light on this existential puzzle through this interdisciplinary approach, offering thought-provoking perspectives to inspire contemplation and personal growth.
Contents include from Table of Contents...
1. PHILOSOPHICAL PERSPECTIVES 11
The Meaning of Life 11
Philosophical Perspectives on the Meaning of Life 11
Ancient Philosophers: 12
Plato's Allegory of the Cave 12
Aristotle's Eudaimonia 13
Epicurus' Pursuit of Pleasure 13
Stoicism and the Virtuous Life 14
Existentialism and Absurdism (Sartre, Camus, Nietzsche) 14
Modern Philosophers Quest for Insights into the Meaning of Life 15
Albert Camus and the Myth of Sisyphus 15
Viktor Frankl and the Search for Meaning of Life 16
Martin Heidegger's Being and Authenticity 16
Friedrich Nietzsche's Will to Power 17
2. THE MEANING OF LIFE FROM RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVES 18
2.1 Abrahamic Religions 18
Christianity and the Purpose of Creation_ 18
What is God's expectation from humans? 19
What is the purpose of life on earth according to God? 19
Islam and Submission to the Divine Will 20
Judaism and the Covenant with God_ 20
The Persecution of the Jewish People 21
2.2 Eastern Religions 23
Hinduism and the Concept of Dharma_ 23
Hinduism and the Concept of Atman: 24
Buddhism and the Path to Enlightenment 24
Buddhism and the Four Noble Truths 24
Taoism and Living in Harmony with the Tao_ 25
Sikhism and the Pursuit of Union with God_ 25
Monotheistic Religions 26
2.3 Unveiling the Meaning of Life: Insights from Indigenous and Native Traditions 28
Native American Spirituality and Connection to Nature 28
Australian Aboriginal Dreamtime and Ancestral Wisdom_ 29
African Traditional Religions and Communal Harmony 29
Meaning of life according to new age spirituality 30
3. SCIENTIFIC INSIGHTS 32
3.1 Evolutionary Biology: 32
Charles Darwin and the Theory of Natural Selection_ 32
Richard Dawkins and the Selfish Gene 33
Socio-biology and the Evolution of Altruism_ 33
3.2 Cognitive Science and Neuroscience 34
The Neural Correlates of Consciousness: Illusion of the Self 34
Role of Emotions in Decision-Making_ 34
3.3 The Anthropic Principle and Fine-Tuning of the Universe 35
3.4 Unveiling the Meaning of Life: Autobiographical Accounts as Philosophical Insights 37
Leo Tolstoy's "A Confession." 37
Simone de Beauvoir's "All Said and Done." 38
Ralph Waldo Emerson's on Self-Reliance 38
3.5 Exploring the Meaning of Life: Insights from Contemporary Thinkers and Writers 39
Eckhart Tolle's "The Power of Now" 40
Brene Brown's "The Gifts of Imperfection" 40
Yuval Noah Harari's "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" 41
What is the source of our existence? 42
What does it mean to have a life? 43
Big Bang Theory of Creation 45
Author's Comments on the Meaning of Life 47
Sources: 51
Further Recommended Reading: 52
The contents of this compact book are objective and thoughtful, and have the ability to help shape or change some readers' lives on a path of self-discovery and fulfillment in life itself.
