Susan Wolf and the Search for Meaning: Evaluating Hedonism, Sartre, and Socrates

Susan Wolf, a contemporary philosopher, delves into the question of life’s meaning in her work “Meaning in Life and Why It Matters.” Let’s explore how she might evaluate three prominent thinkers who grapple with this concept: philosophical hedonism, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Socrates.

1. Philosophical Hedonism:

• Hedonism: This school of thought suggests pleasure is the ultimate good and the key to a meaningful life.
• Wolf’s Evaluation: Wolf would likely find hedonism insufficient. While pleasure can be a positive aspect of life, it’s unlikely to be the sole source of meaning. She argues for a life filled with activities we find valuable and engaging, which may not always equate to pure pleasure.

2. Jean-Paul Sartre:

• Existentialism: Sartre, a central figure in existentialism, emphasizes individual freedom and responsibility in creating meaning. Humans are “condemned to be free,” forced to choose their own paths and define their own purpose.
• Wolf’s Evaluation: Wolf might appreciate Sartre’s emphasis on personal responsibility in creating meaning. However, she might argue that a purely self-created meaning can feel isolating. Meaning, according to Wolf, can also arise from connection to something larger than oneself, a purpose that contributes to a greater good.

3. Socrates:

• The Examined Life: Socrates, a foundational figure in Western philosophy, believed the unexamined life is not worth living. Through critical self-reflection and the pursuit of knowledge, one can find meaning and live virtuously.
• Wolf’s Evaluation: Wolf would likely find Socrates’ focus on self-examination and living a virtuous life to be a valuable component in the search for meaning. However, she might argue that meaning can also be found in activities beyond self-reflection and could exist outside the realm of pure knowledge acquisition.

Wolf’s Ideal:

Wolf suggests a concept of meaning that combines elements from these different perspectives. A meaningful life involves:

• Subjective Attraction: We find activities or pursuits genuinely engaging and interesting.
• Objective Attractiveness: These activities contribute to something valuable beyond ourselves, whether it’s knowledge, creativity, contribution to society, or fostering deep connections with others.

Conclusion:

Susan Wolf would likely find aspects of value in all three philosophical approaches to meaning. However, she would likely argue for a more nuanced understanding that incorporates both subjective enjoyment and the pursuit of something larger than oneself.