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Understanding Life, Death, and Finding Meaning in Our Limited Time

Explores human mortality, theories of life's origin, the significance of happiness and suffering, and encourages personal goal setting to live a meaningful life despite the inevitability of death.

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How would you feel when a person who is dear to you suddenly passed away? What would you think about your own mortality during that time? Our time on this earth is limited. It is therefore important for us to determine our goals in life so we can live out our days meaningfully. The topic of death should not be approached with fear or dread but rather, it should be seen as an opportunity to find meaning in our lives
Human Persons as Oriented Towards Their Impending Death
Life is short and unpredictable. For many people, there is purpose in living, and gradually going through life allows us to discover our purpose. Still people are unable to understand their lives and make meaning out of it.
2 theories of origin of life 1. Evolutionist believed that everything in the cosmos, including life, can be explained by the interaction of matter. They initially believed in spontaneous generation: that living things can arise from non- living material. For example, worm flies or even mice could develop from grain, meat, or other materials.
2 theories of origin of life 2. Creationist on the other hand, believed that life came from a supreme being or a God. They use scriptures as proof of their belief. An example of this would be the story of creation in the Bible.
The Significance and Meaning of Life Some people nowadays often believe that life has no meaning or significance because it is either (1) brought about by a God or (2) developed by modern science. In both scenarios, life would be certainly meaningless if the person does not believe in a God or modern science. However, many theorists go against this belief by saying that life must be rooted in communication, understanding, and service. As such, the meaning of life becomes centralized in doing acts of integration, selflessness and love. People who have found meaning in their lives therefore seem happier, more approachable and more understanding than those who have not.
The Accomplishment of Personal Goals Discovering the meaning of life constitutes people to live life to the fullest. As such they engage in various activities as much as possible, and they immerse themselves with what life has to offer.
Research reveals that one out of five people are convinced that they are living their lives to the fullest and that majority of all individuals who want to live to its fullest are longing for excitement. These activities may be reflected in a bucket list or a list of all goals, dreams, and achievements that one wants to attain before death. Examples are: strengthening spiritual life, travel around the world, build a charitable institution, and obtain an undergraduate diploma.
Research reveals that one out of five people are convinced that they are living their lives to the fullest and that majority of all individuals who want to live to its fullest are longing for excitement. These activities may be reflected in a bucket list or a list of all goals, dreams, and achievements that one wants to attain before death. Examples are: strengthening spiritual life, travel around the world, build a charitable institution, and obtain an undergraduate diploma.
Human Persons on Their Impending Death.
• For a moment in your life, have you ever thought about what it means to die? Did it make you uncomfortable? You may feel that thinking about death at this time in your life is a little bit inappropriate since you are still young. We do not really think about the reality of our own death because it is difficult to imagine when and how we will die. However, we cannot deny the fact that death exists in our world.
According to Abella(2016), death is commonly understood as the end of bodily functions which signals the end of a person’s life. It also refers to the separation of the body and the spirit.
• He further explains that human person is an embodied spirit or the unity of a body and a spirit. The body grows and dies, while the soul continues to exist even after the body has passed. It is true that a person’s spiritual nature allows him or her to transcend his or her temporality and physical limits. This makes a person’s life limited in time but no one really knows when life will end.
• This has given rise to various expressions such as #YOLO (You Only Live Once). They are focusing on experiencing intense moments and feelings in order to feel alive because no one really knows when life will end. There are people who deny the idea of human decline and death. Some rely on anti- aging treatments and products to make them look, feel, and think that they are younger than they really are. These attitudes are not necessarily bad but we must embrace the fact that death is an integral part of our life.
• We may ask ourselves, what is the end of this life? The term end can be understood in two ways. Some philosophers view end as a terminus which means the full stop or end of a line, life ends and nothing follows. However, others consider end as telos which means “goal, purpose, or fulfilment”. (
Different Views on Death Isidoro (2016) discusses the different views on death 1. Ancient Most ancient people attributed death to the agency of the gods, elves, demons, or evil spirits who are jealous of human achievements and beautiful human features or who are offended by man’s sins.
2. Biological Death is viewed as biological event; death is the end of man considered to be a living organism. Death is the process of ending of life, the total arrest of both mental and physiological functions as a person.
3. Psychological Concept of death and adjustment addresses the ability to adjust to one’s own death when that death is not imminent. Therefore, it deals with the wide range of events related to possible deaths and the various methods of adjustment to these possibilities.
4. Theological St. Tomas Aquinas is very clear about the nature of death. He said “The necessity of dying for Man is partly from nature and partly from sin.
5. Philosophical Philosophical understanding of death is given to us exclusively on the basis of the self-understanding of a living- man, who is inevitably approaching death as the ultimate event of his life. Thus, we come to an understanding of death by analyzing our actual existence in the light of the one – side experience of death and dying by the others.
The human person is not born into this world just so he or she could die. Man is put on this earth to live a meaningful life, to be righteous, and achieve excellence. With this in mind, we can look at two experiences which make us reflect, happiness and suffering.
Happiness It is a state of being and not merely an emotional experience or a chosen mental attitude. Ancient Greek philosophy considers happiness as an achievement and it must be gained by living a productive and moral life. What makes a person happy is that which fits his nature – we are made truly happy by things that are true and good.
He also discusses human person as an embodied spirit, we must also consider the goods or sources of happiness which are proper to a person. A noble good is one which is pursued for its own sake; some examples are love and friendship.
Suffering It takes place when we patiently endure unpleasantness, discomfort, and pain. It can come in the form of physical suffering, when we experience physical sensations such as discomfort, hunger, distress and pain. It can also be in the form of mental suffering which involves emotional and mental state such as depression, anxiety, fear, loneliness, and grief.
These may be caused by unexpected situation in life such as what we are experiencing at present- the corona virus pandemic that caused unemployment to many people, stressful situations, and grief caused by the death of a loved one. Generally, suffering is viewed as an undesirable condition, and that we naturally seek pleasure and avoid pain. Another view considers suffering as necessary because it helps our existence. Without it, we are unable to grow and improve, and our positive experiences lose meaning and significance.
Philosophy helps us understand how suffering defines the state or condition of the person before, during and after experience. Remember that difficulties are not without reason. Our hardships bring about realizations and opportunities for us. Even if the outcome is unfavourable, dealing with suffering can improve our attitude towards life and other people.
Make a bucket list “20 in 2027” List 20 things you want to do before dying. Show your creativity and resourcefulness.
Make a Reflection: Answer the following question. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper. 1. What is that one thing that, if taken from you, would take away the meaning of your life?
Based on what you have learned about death, happiness, and suffering, give advice to the following people in various situations. Write your answers on a sheet of paper. 1. Your cousin is an achiever. Being on top of the class is what makes him feel fulfilled. However, for this semester, he got grades lower than usual. He is extremely saddened by this and becomes withdrawn and aloof. 2. Your best friend is dating a married man. Despite her family’s disapproval, she does not want to break up with him. She says that he is the only one who makes her very happy.
3. Your classmate is going through tough times. His parents died in a car accident, his family is experiencing financial difficulties, and his long-time girlfriend broke up with him. He constantly talks about taking his own life to end his problems. 4. Your cousin is battling a terminal disease. She has a loving and helpful support system comprised of family and friends, yet her fear of dying is getting worse. She feels depressed and loses sleep over the idea of passing away soon. 5. One of your close friends is experiencing grief because of the death of her loved one. How can you help him cope with the situation?
Answer the following questions. Write your answer on a separate piece of paper. 1. What form of suffering have you mostly encountered in your life so far? Is it physical suffering or mental suffering? 2. How did you deal with the difficulties you have experienced?
The following are statements about Death, Suffering and Happiness. Write TRUE if the sentence is correct, write FALSE if otherwise. Write the correct answer on a separate piece of paper. 1. Death refers to the separation of the soul and the body. 2. Happiness takes place when we patiently endure unpleasantness, discomfort and pain. 3. Useful good is a kind of good that is good so long as it provides some form of pleasure. 4. Physical suffering refers to discomfort, hunger, stress, and pain. 5. According to ancient Greek Philosophy, happiness is an achievement and must be gained by living a productive and moral life.
6. Common good is a kind of good that is considered good so long as it serves as a means to an end. 7. The body grows and dies, while the soul continues to exist even after the body has passed. 8. A good is a source of happiness and it has two kinds. 9. Temporality refers how our lives are temporary. 10. Spiritual nature allows a person to transcend the temporality and physical limits.
Write your answer in your reflection notebook. If you are to leave a legacy (pamana or mana) in this world before you die, what would it be? Please share your thoughts.
FROM ME TO YOU 1. Based on what you have learned about happiness, suffering, death and the meaning of life, what piece of advice can you give to the following people in various situations? 2. You are to choose only one (1) situation. 3. Write your reflection in your reflection notebook
SITUATION 1 Your brother is an overachiever. Being on top of the class is what makes him feel fulfilled. However, for this quarter, he got grades lower than what has expected. He is extremely saddened by this. SITUATION 2 Your best friend is dating a married woman. Despite his family’s disapproval, he does not want to break up with her. He says that she is the only one who makes him very happy. SITUATION 3 Your cousin is suffering a brain cancer. She has a loving and helpful support system comprised of family and friends, yet her fear of dying is getting worse. She feels depressed and loses sleep over the idea of passing away soon.
When was the last time when you were in a very problematic situation? What was the reason behind it? How did you overcome it? Can you share your experiences by writing them in the space below?.