Meaning of Life: Perspectives from the World’s Great Intellectual Traditions

Course Overview

Guided by a passionate and thorough professor, this intellectually gripping course offers a rigorous and wide-ranging exploration of what various spiritual, religious, and philosophical traditions from both the East and the West have contributed to the quest for meaning.

Course Description

What is the meaning of life? It’s a profound and universal question that everyone has pondered at one time or another. This comprehensive 36-lecture series explores how diverse spiritual and philosophical traditions approach this question. Through the teachings of figures ranging from Siddhartha Gautama to the Dalai Lama XIV, you’ll engage with concepts that emphasize purpose, intention, and ethical commitment in everyday life.

The course covers influential texts, including the Bhagavad-Gita, classical Western philosophies, and perspectives from Native Americans. It requires no previous knowledge of philosophical or religious thought, making it accessible for all. Prepare to critically analyze each tradition as you reflect on your own understanding of life’s meaning.

Video Lectures

1. The Meaning of the Meaning of Life (33 min)
   Introduction to the question’s complexities and implications.
2. The Bhagavad-Gita-Choice and Daily Life (30 min)
   Exploring the core teachings of the Bhagavad-Gita.
3. The Bhagavad-Gita-Discipline and Duty (30 min)
   Understanding the three yogas of action, knowledge, and devotion.
4. The Bhagavad-Gita-Union and Purpose (32 min)
   True freedom through disinterested action and reflective knowledge.
5. Aristotle on Life-The Big Picture (31 min)
   Overview of Aristotle’s framework in the Nichomachean Ethics.
6. Aristotle-The Highest Good (30 min)
   Exploring Aristotle’s function argument and the concept of eudaimonia.
7. Aristotle-The Happy Life (32 min)
   Examining virtue, action, and the importance of friendship.
8. Job’s Predicament-Life Is So Unfair (30 min)
   The Hebraic shift in perspective regarding personal relationships with God.
9. Job’s Challenge-Who Are We? (32 min)
   Exploring the enigmatic nature of meaning and divine mystery.
10. Stoicism-Rationality and Acceptance (29 min)
    Insights from Seneca and Epictetus on living harmoniously.
11. Human Finitude-The Epicurean Synthesis (31 min)
    Fusing Stoic and Epicurean philosophies through Marcus Aurelius.
12. Confucius-Order in the Cosmos and in Life (29 min)
    The teachings of Confucius on morality and virtue.
13. Daodejing-The Dao of Life and Spontaneity (30 min)
    A look at the contrasting teachings of Daoism.
14. Daodejing-The Best Life Is a Simple Life (31 min)
    Embracing simplicity in life through the Daodejing.
15. Daodejing-Subtlety and Paradox (31 min)
    Examining teachings on virtue and the nature of existence.
16. Zhuangzi on Daoism-Impermanence and Harmony (32 min)
    Insights from Zhuangzi and the themes of spontaneity.
17. The Teachings of the Buddha (32 min)
    An overview of the Four Noble Truths and the path to enlightenment.
18. Santideva-Mahayana Buddhism (32 min)
    Introduced to the Bodhicaryavatara’s teachings on enlightenment.
19. Santideva-Transforming the Mind (31 min)
    Emphasizing the six perfections in Buddhist practice.
20. Zen-The Moon in a Dewdrop and Impermanence (32 min)
    Understanding Zen’s direct approach to enlightenment.
21. Zen-Being-Time and Primordial Awakening (32 min)
    The significance of time and awakening in Zen thought.
22. Taking Stock of the Classical World (31 min)
    Common themes in various philosophical traditions.
23. Hume’s Skepticism and the Place of God (32 min)
    David Hume’s views on theism in modernity.
24. Hume’s Careless and Compassionate Vision (31 min)
    Exploring the social and cognitive dimensions of beliefs.
25. Kant-Immaturity and the Challenge to Know (30 min)
    Immanuel Kant’s call for intellectual maturity.
26. Mill’s Call to Individuality and to Liberty (32 min)
    John Stuart Mill’s defense of individual liberty.
27. Tolstoy-Is Everyday Life the Real Thing? (31 min)
    An alternative view on modernity’s values.
28. Nietzsche-Twilight of the Idols (30 min)
    Challenging modernity’s core values through Nietzschean thought.
29. Nietzsche-Achieving Authenticity (30 min)
    Nietzsche’s vision for a meaningful life.
30. Gandhi-Satyagraha and Holding Fast to Truth (31 min)
    Gandhi’s radical approaches to spirituality and life meaning.
31. Gandhi-The Call to a Supernormal Life (31 min)
    Exploring Gandhi’s views on a meaningful life.
32. Lame Deer-Life Enfolded in Symbols (28 min)
    A symbolic perspective on life from the Lakota Sioux.
33. Lame Deer-Our Place in a Symbolic World (33 min)
    Critique of modernity and the values it espouses.
34. HH Dalai Lama XIV-A Modern Buddhist View (32 min)
    The Dalai Lama’s vision of happiness and interconnectedness.
35. HH Dalai Lama XIV-Discernment and Happiness (32 min)
    Combining traditional and modern insights on living meaningfully.
36. So, What Is the Meaning of Life? (34 min)
    Reflecting on recurring themes and personal interpretations.