Robert m kossick biography definition of life

Robert Nozick’s engaging philosophical reflections on the meaning of life start with a joke, which he analyzes.

Robert Nozick — was an American political philosopher and professor at Harvard University. In chapter six of his book, Philosophical Explanations , Nozick addresses the question of the meaning of life. So what do we seek when asking this question? Basically we want to know how to live in order to achieve meaning. We may choose to continue our present life in the suburbs, change our lives completely by moving to a cave and meditating daily, or opt for a number of other possibilities.

But how is one to know which life is really most meaningful from an infinite number of choices? A formula might be the meaning of life: seek union with a god, be productive, search for meaning, find love, etc. Nozick finds none of the proposed formulas satisfactory.

In chapter six of his book, Philosophical Explanations, Nozick addresses the question of the meaning of life.

Do we then seek some secret verbal formula or doctrine? Suppose there were a secret formula possessed by the sages. Would they give it to you? Would you be able to understand it? Maybe the sage will give you a ridiculous answer just to get you thinking. Perhaps it is not words at all but the physical presence of the sage that will convey the truth the questioner seeks.

By being in their presence over time you may come to understand the meaning of life even if meaning transcends verbal formulas.