Literature and Philology

review the quote below from page 98 of Viktor Frankl’s Man’s Search for Meaning :
“Woe to him who saw no more sense in his life, no aim, no purpose, and therefore no point in carrying on. He was soon lost. The typical reply with which such a man rejected all encouraging arguments was, “I have nothing to expect from life any more.” What sort of answer can one give to that? What was really needed was a fundamental change in our attitude toward life. We had to learn ourselves and, furthermore, we had to teach the despairing men, that it did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us. We needed to stop asking about the meaning of life, and instead to think of ourselves as those who were being questioned by life – daily and hourly. Our answer must consist, not in talk and meditation, but in right action and in right conduct. Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual.”
“These tasks, and therefore the meaning of life, differ from man to man, and from moment to moment. Thus it is impossible to define the meaning of life in a general way. Questions about the meaning of life can never be answered by sweeping statements. “Life” does not mean something vague, but something very real and concrete, just as life’s tasks are also very real and concrete. They form man’s destiny, which is different and unique for each individual.” (Frankl, 98)
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But what about happiness? We all want to be happy.
In the modules on Happiness, we looked at a number of philosophical perspectives on happiness, including the perspective of ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle, who defines happiness as the highest, or final good. Since all of us continually strive for greater goods than we have at any particular time, it follows that reaching the final good is the goal of life. Aristotle believed the path to happiness was a life lived in accordance with reason and virtue.
So, a meaningful life is a good life; a life well-lived, living your life in accordance with the moral and ethical standards that you hold.
Aristotle would say a life lived in accordance with reason and virtue. Frankl would say a life lived in right action and in right conduct, in taking responsibility to find the right answers to life’s problems, and in fulfilling the tasks that life constantly sets for each individual.
What would you say?

FINAL ESSAY DIRECTIONS:
Write a 3-4 page essay answering ALL THREE questions below:
1. What does it mean To YOU to live a meaningful life, a life well-lived, a “good life”?
In your essay, address the following:
The moral and ethical standards that impact how you live your life
The sources of these standards
Specific, detailed examples of how you have lived a meaningful life (including any struggles or challenges you have had in the process and how you dealt with these)
Specific, detailed examples of how you plan on living a meaningful life (including any struggles or challenges you are able to anticipate lying ahead for you and how you might deal with these)
What have you found that life expects from you?
Remember, Viktor Frankl writes that it does not really matter what we expect from life, but rather what life expects from us. So, consider difficult experiences and unexpected challenges you have had to face, responsibilities that you have or have had (practical, moral, and ethical, etc), situations in which you have found yourself that CALL UPON YOU to take action of some kind. THESE are some of the circumstances and experiences that reveal to us what life expects from us.

What do you want to leave as your legacy, giving back something to the world or to society in order to make the world/society a better place?
PAY ATTENTION HERE –The question is about a legacy to the world or to society, not to your family, friends, children, etc.
* In addressing all of these questions, REMEMBER to use specific, detailed examples to illustrate, describe, and support your points
In answering these questions, you may bring in concepts and examples from the module readings and videos, and videos assigned in class as you deem appropriate.
* FORMAT: Your essay must be typed, double-spaced, with 1″ margins and no extra spaces at the beginning or ending of each paragraph, using 12 pt fonts. DO NOT INCLUDE A HEADING. You may include a title to your essay, if you would like to.
YOUR ESSAY MUST BE AT LEAST THREE FULL PAGES TO RECEIVE ANY CREDIT.
While you may write more than four pages, I will stop reading at the end of page four in grading your work. If time allows, I will return your essay later to read any additional pages.