What is the meaning of life? | Einar Duenger Bøhn | TEDxArendal

Quick Overview

The meaning of life, according to philosopher Einar Duenger Bøhn at TEDxArendal, is not about achieving a subjective state like happiness or morality, but rather the objective point of continuing to live and improve one's situation, regardless of whether one is currently lucky or unlucky.

Key Points: The speaker, philosopher Einar Duenger Bøhn, questions the common subjective definitions of the meaning of life, such as being kind, happy, or moral (00:15-02:04). Bøhn proposes that the true objective meaning of life is the inherent point of continuing to live and improve one's circumstances (03:10-04:43). He argues that this objective meaning is the same for everyone, regardless of whether they are in a fortunate or unfortunate situation (04:42-05:14, 06:02-06:37). The speaker notes that people in less fortunate situations often score highly on meaning, suggesting that the drive for improvement itself is the core meaning (05:08-05:24, 07:57-08:10). Bøhn emphasizes that one must distribute their efforts wisely, focusing on improving their whole life rather than just one aspect, to avoid burnout (09:55-10:46). He concludes that the meaning of life is the impetus to get up in the morning and keep going, which is the fundamental point of existence (12:17-12:23). The talk was delivered at TEDxArendal, with the stage décor featuring massive open books and a backdrop of a library (00:09).

Context: Einar Duenger Bøhn, a professor of philosophy, delivered this TEDx talk at TEDxArendal, addressing the perennial question: "What is the meaning of life?" Bøhn immediately distinguishes between subjective definitions of meaning (like happiness or morality) and an objective concept he intends to clarify, drawing from his experience studying biographies of great, sometimes immoral, artists.

Detailed Analysis

Einar Duenger Bøhn opens his talk by challenging the conventional, subjective answers people give regarding the meaning of life, such as being kind, happy, or moral. He states that while these pursuits may feel meaningful, they are subjective states that might not apply universally or might lead to dissatisfaction. Bøhn presents his theory: the objective meaning of life is the inherent point of continuing to live and improve one's situation, regardless of external fortune. He argues that this drive for improvement is the constant across all lives, noting that even those in difficult circumstances often score highly on meaning because they actively seek to better their lot. He warns against focusing too much effort on a single aspect of life (like work or marriage) to improve, as this leads to burnout; instead, one must look at their whole life. The core meaning, therefore, is the drive that gets you out of bed to keep going, which is present for everyone, whether they acknowledge it or not.