A meaningful life: an exercise in philosophical gardening

This research explores the concept of life’s meaning from both philosophical and psychological perspectives, aiming to elucidate its growing prominence within academia. It also highlights the lack of attention given to this subject in these fields, particularly from existential and humanistic viewpoints, as well as from the rapidly developing area of positive psychology. The paper clarifies the distinction between ‘Meaning of Life’ and ‘Meaning in Life’, categorising the latter as a more tangible and manageable focus. A range of key philosophical debates, along with their implications regarding ‘fulfilment’ and ‘purpose’, including issues arising from subjectivist, objectivist, and hybrid positions, are discussed in detail. The study employs the metaphor of philosophical gardening to illustrate that philosophical inquiry involves clearing a conceptual mess and aiding clarity. Analysing the synthesis of different branches of disciplines ultimately concludes that the explanation for a meaningful life cannot be restricted to a subjective or objective approach. Instead, hybrid theories offer a more comprehensive solution. This leads to the assertion that meaning constitutes the core of human existence, encouraging its pursuit and providing an impetus for studying its different aspects.