The Meaning and Purpose of My Life, Essay Example

In determining the meaning and purpose of my life, I believe that it must fulfill qualities within myself and cater to others.  That is, I believe that we must strive to be the best human beings that we are able to be, while contributing to society and being able to help others.  Purpose in my life is found in intertwining the needs of others from what I am able to do and share.

In regards to my life, I believe that I should remain optimistic and positive in all walks of my life.  While I will falter, this is something that is important and that I continue to strive after.  Using my talents and abilities to these ends is also important for me, so that I may be successful, accomplish my goals, and be able to contribute to those around me.

Ultimately serving others is essential.  It would be unethical or immoral to believe that I can find meaning or purpose in my life, if I am not making others’ lives easier and more meaningful as well.  Personally and through my work and other endeavors, I wish to be able to serve others’ needs and desires to be able to contribute to society.

I believe a large part of meaning in life is dynamic.  Here and now I don’t believe that I can summarize the meaning and purpose of my life, as this is ever changing and evolving according to the dimensions and experiences of my life.  Therefore, to a certain extent, I am still figuring out the purpose of my life.

Wherever life takes me, I believe it is vital nonetheless to hold on to certain high standards.  Making the best of myself and opportunities presented to me, I believe, is one important aspect of finding meaning in life.  Additionally, I see being able to share gifts and talents with others is crucial in living a meaningful life as well.  In these standards I hope to find the constantly changing meanings in my life and life experiences.

Personally I find Plato’s Theory of Forms and Allegory of the Cave particularly engaging.  These two concepts are very interesting to approach academically as well as in a personal light.  In this I have found a couple of ways that it has impacted the way I view reality and life in general.

Theory of Forms

One engaging aspect of the theory of forms is its dual meaning.  On one hand, according to Plato, the Theory of Forms is ontological.  However, on another, it is metaphorically and accurately true pertaining to knowledge and its pursuit.  In these two views the Theory of Forms has a number of implications.

I believe there are personal implications to the ontological view of the Theory of Forms.  For instance, when we are younger, we certainly ascribe to the concept of a “perfect person” and try to emulate it in some way.  Perhaps for some, like myself, this carries on into later stages of life as we try to be perfect, at least in beneficial ways.

In this manner, the Form can allow us to see something real, even if we do not believe in an ontological reality of something perfect existing.  For instance, perhaps there is not a perfect person or a perfect love, at least outside of religious contexts, yet people in all walks of life seem to hold on to the Form of something.  Why?  Even if it can only exist in our minds, it is certainly relevant, applicable, and positive for our lives.

In this manner the ontological reality of Plato’s form can be metaphorically applicable to one’s life.  One doesn’t have to hold that all things truly have a Form, a perfect construct of something.  Yet it can certainly hold meaning, even if it exists only in the mind.

From this I find the Theory of Forms enlightening in the pursuit of knowledge.  It is perfectly reasonable to hold the ideal of a concept or state of being in one’s mind.  It can certainly allow us to move forward and grow as a person.

Allegory of the Cave

Plato’s Allegory of the Cave also presents a number of interesting implications in one’s life.  It certainly provides those along the same lines of the Theory of Forms, as it is of course interrelated.  In regards to how it has changed my thinking, Plato’s Allegory of the Cave I believe has allowed me to appreciate the pursuit of knowledge more fully.

In regards to the essence of the Allegory of the Cave, in more practical terms we certainly find ourselves in limited knowledge at times.  At time we may only see the shadows of a situation, and are often led to wrong choices and observations at times in our life due to ignorance.  Quite simply, in keeping with philosophy in general and the Allegory of the Cave, we must realize the worth of knowledge and more accurately, wisdom.

To this end in itself the Allegory of the Cave is quite interesting.  I think we can all recall a difficult time in our lives, or a wrong decision that could have been made better with wisdom.  While this can be certainly made into a generalization if we perpetuate this line of logic furthermore, it serves as an example of why wisdom is important.

The Allegory serves as a lesson in times of insecurities.  Relative to personal and more general terms, we often find ourselves lost in certain situations.  For instance, one can find himself or herself lost with regards to politics, or the turmoil of a personal relationship.  Yet, in a sense, we often see the shadows of the situation.

In this we are called to realize our own limitations.  We must realize the place of true knowledge and wisdom, which is, as Plato expresses, not of this world.  In responding to personal and general situations, we must find true knowledge from within, and not necessarily in reaction to events in the temporal world.

Conclusion

I chose these two concepts from Plato as they certainly link to the meaning of one’s life.  In my life these two concepts, when applied, allow me to see the significance and purpose of my life.  When these are used the purpose of my life is better clarified.

The Theory of Forms represents the way in which I can strive to be a better person.  I hold to the ultimate concept of something, the Form.  In the Form, such as becoming the “perfect” version of myself, in regards to my goals and standards, I can adhere to some extent in this way.

The Allegory of the Cave also allows me to view the limitations of one’s knowledge.  As I develop my knowledge and wisdom in my life, a part of this involves knowing one’s limits.  We must, out of our own wisdom, realize that we lack it in some respects.  While this is certainly reminiscent of Plato’s “knowing that I know nothing at all,” I think this can hold true for all of us.  We must realize that we only see the shadows in life at times, and strive after the Form of what we are attaining.  That is how we are better able to clarify meaning and purpose in life, and certainly in my life.