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AtheistComic t1_j6n5ars wrote

Reply to comment by doodcool612 in Happiness is an essentially nihilistic ideal — it is the best goal to follow when there is nothing else on the table. A meaningful life on the other hand can embrace more of life including struggles and suffering because it is oriented towards a higher ideal by thelivingphilosophy

It is subjective whether a life devoted to wealth and power is meaningful or not, as meaning can vary from person to person. Some may find meaning in using their resources and influence to create positive change and better society, while others may view it as shallow and lacking deeper purpose. Ultimately, what defines a meaningful life is a personal and individual choice.

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doodcool612 t1_j6n6ub5 wrote

If this is true, it contradicts OP’s thesis that we can rule out happiness as meaningful.

Also, do we really believe this about meaning being entirely subjective? I forget the name of the philosopher, but I remember from intro to philosophy the counter-example of a man who finds meaning in eating his own shit and watching paint dry and torturing babies. There is a big difference between “I can’t prove an objective, universal meaning” and “baby torture is literally identically meaningful as striving to cure cancer.”

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black_brook t1_j6o6yon wrote

Questions of whether a given person's chosen meaning is wrong or if it can be objectively judged are independent of whether it is meaning.

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locklear24 t1_j6nucm5 wrote

Regardless as I agree that meaning is subjectively applied and made, I’m not going to lie to myself and think Elon is some Renaissance Man out to uplift the species.

The Great Man hypothesis has been bankrupt for a long time, and he’s just a mediocre computer programmer that is good at hyping investors with a start from daddy’s money. If he wants to be altruistic, he can start with better compensation for his employees.

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