Life: An FAQ
The biggest questions and an attempt to answer them.
What’s the meaning of life?
This is the wrong question to ask. It’s like asking “what’s the meaning of water?” So there’s no meaning to life, because life can’t have a meaning. But you can live a meaningful life. What meaning you give your life is not only up to you, it’s what you have to live with.
What’s the best philosophy for life?
The best philosophy for life is your own philosophy for life. Take inspiration from others, but make your own way for yourself, don’t mindlessly follow a pack.
Should I have children?
For me, this is the ultimate philosophical question: should we add more human beings to the world? If you have faith in human beings, go ahead. If not, then don’t.
Can we be happy when there’s so much suffering in the world?
Yes.
What is happiness?
Happiness is self-sufficiency. It cannot be found in things that are at the mercy of fate. If all the stuff that “belongs” to you can be taken away in an instant, it is not really yours. Your health, wealth and reputation are at the mercy of chance, you shouldn’t entrust your happiness with them. Tranquillity lies in the bed of wisdom.
