Wikipedia: History of Meaning of life

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"What is the meaning of life?" is probably the most-asked philosophical question by humanity at large.

What is the meaning of life? is probably the most-asked philosophical question by humanity at large. Common answers include: happiness or flourishing; pleasure; power; knowledge, understanding, or wisdom; and being blessed, or achieving union with God or the divine. Philosophers, religious authorities, artists, scientists, and countless ordinary people have thought a great deal about the question.

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It is sometimes complained that academic philosophy contains inadequate discussions of this question. But the notion that philosophers have talked little about the meaning of life is false. Theories of value--of which there are very many indeed--can be construed as theories of the meaning of life. Great philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Spinoza, and many others had clear views about what sort of life was best (and hence most meaningful). The existentialists addressed themselves to the question head-on. More recently, Robert Nozick discussed the question at great length in his Philosophical Explanations.

What does it mean to ask what the meaning of life is?

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Common answers include: happiness or flourishing; pleasure; power; knowledge, understanding, or wisdom; and being blessed, or achieving union with God or the divine.

How philosophers have addressed the question

Over the millennia, philosophers have had much to say about this question--though philosophers do not fixate on it as much as popular conceptions might lead one to believe. Theories of value--of which there are very many indeed--can be and not sometimes are construed as theories of the meaning of life. Great philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, Aristotle, Descartes, Spinoza, and many others had clear views about what sort of life was best (and hence most meaningful). The existentialists addressed themselves to the question head-on. More recently, Robert Nozick discussed the question at great length in his Philosophical Explanations.

This needs to be expanded greatly.

Religious views on the meaning of life

Religion itself, it is often suggested, is a response to humanity's search for meaning or purpose. The notion here is that we do or ought to seek a higher purpose that will give our lives meaning.

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