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Liveliness as a Theory of Meaning in Life: Problems and Prospects

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 November 2023

KIRK LOUGHEED
KIRK LOUGHEED*
Affiliation:
LCC INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY/UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA philosophy@kirklougheed.com
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Abstract

I aim to more fully develop a theory of meaning in life based on the concept of life force that is important to a substantial number of Africans in the sub-Sahara region. While life force implies a large invisible ontology, Thaddeus Metz has recently developed an entirely naturalistic version of it known as liveliness. However, he also offers two objections that hinge on the idea that life force cannot accommodate intuitions that certain types of knowledge and progress are valuable for their own sakes. I respond by noting that elsewhere Metz has developed a defense of the intrinsic value of knowledge by appealing to the idea that meeting a person's existential needs can be important for self-realization and hence for their meaning. If this is right, then the community ought to support such a person in their pursuit of knowledge even if doing so leads to no useful outcomes.

Keywords

African philosophymeaning in lifeThaddeus Metzlife force
Type
Article
Information
Journal of the American Philosophical Association , First View , pp. 1 - 17
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Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2023. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of the American Philosophical Association

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Footnotes

Thanks to two anonymous referees and an associate editor at the Journal of the American Philosophical Association for helpful comments, including some pertinent objections. A version of this paper was also presented at the Fifth International Conference on Philosophy and Meaning in Life.

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