Outline of Video 26, pt. 1: The Meaning of Life; Kierkegaard

• The big picture: life is meaningful in virtue of something external

• Religion: life has meaning because of a divine plan
• History (Hegel/Marx): life has meaning insofar as we contribute to human progress (the development of reason and freedom)
• Life is meaningful in virtue of something internal

• Kierkegaard: truth and meaning are personal; our search for meaning is filled with anguish because of our awareness of the need to choose. Three possible responses:
• Aesthetic life: do what "feels" good: pleasure, excitement
• Ethical life: do the "right" thing: follow the rules, sacrifice
• Religious life: personal, passionate, ultimately unjustifiable (perhaps even irrational) choice