The Question of Meaning

• There are four areas which draw us into the depths of this question.
• These are: freewill, responsibility, values & morals:

Am I free to choose?
Am I responsible for my choices?
Am I valuable & is anything else valuable?
Do any moral standards exist &, if they do, what is their relevance?
 

• Our everyday activities are entwined with our beliefs in these four areas.
• We observe these beliefs at the individual level & the societal level.
• Self worth & the people & things we care about are based on our value system.
• Society's monetary & economic systems follow from agreed upon values.
• The rights we assume are founded upon our beliefs in freedom of choice.
• What we see as right & wrong stem from our beliefs in responsibility & morals.
• Government systems follow from agreed upon rights, responsibilities & morals.
• Much of individual & societal life is founded upon these four areas.

• Freewill, responsibility, values & morals lack a basis in an impersonal world.
• Figure: "Humanity in an Impersonal Universe."
• In an impersonal universe, two levels of meaning can be distinguished.
• Figure: "Two Levels of Meaning."
• Differing basis of meaning contribute to conflicting views on the upper level.

• Biblical meaning has its roots in the character of God & identity of humanity.
• Let's explore how this basis supports the greater structure of meaning in life.
• Figure: "The Roots of Meaning."

• The moral standard in the tree also preserved meaning in life.
• Since the fall, meaning has become polarized to the left & the right.
• Figure: "Three Stages of Meaning."
• The polarization of meaning is found in every corner of life.
• Figure: "The Polarization of Authority."
• The law reestablished spiritual priority & social stability on all levels.
• Figure: "Insight into the Ten Commandments."
• Along with abandoning moral standards, guilt contributes to polarization.
• Figure: "Contributions to Polarization."
• The ideal solution is to uphold moral standards & eliminate guilt without blaming.

• Is my life meaningful?
• In God's world, most definitely.
• We are free to choose & responsible for our choices.
• As individuals, we are valuable & morally responsible.
• God is the ultimate source of freewill, responsibility, values & morals.
• Given this foundation of meaning, a practical decision structure may be formed.
• Figure: "Four Choices in Decision Making."
• See also: "Decision Making, A Topical Study from the Foundations Web Site"
• God is the author of our personal existence, identity & meaning.