在本篇論文,我將對「什麼是生命的意義?」這個問題,討論一些相關的回應與回答。我先很簡扼地介紹一些回應像是科學家史蒂芬霍金、精神分析師佛洛伊德以及分析哲學家艾耶爾。接著,我將檢視一些由存在主義者(如沙特和卡謬)以及唯心主義者鮑桑葵等人提供的回答並指出兩方都沒有對人類本質反映出適當的解釋。最後,我探討三位基督教哲學家阿奎納、齊克果以及馬里旦-並且找出他們對這個問題給出的回答的要素。藉由這些要素作出結論,我認為基督教哲學能夠對人生是否並且該如何有意義這個問題,提供一個有用的答案。
In this paper I discuss some responses and answers to the question "What is the meaning of life?" I begin by briefly reviewing the responses of scientists such as Stephen Hawking, psychoanalysts such as Sigmund Freud, and analytic philosophers such as A. J. Ayer. I then look at answers provided by existentialists (e.g., J-P Sartre and A. Camus) and by "idealists" such as Bernard Bosanquet-and note that neither approach reflects an adequate account of human nature. Finally, I look at three Christian philosophers-Thomas Aquinas, Seren Kierkegaard, and Jacques Maritain-and find, in each, elements of a philosophical answer to the question. By drawing on these elements, I conclude that Christian philosophy can provide a useful answer to the questions of whether and how human life is meaningful.