This article will discuss the beginning of life and the universe as well as what famous philosophers, throughout time, have considered to be the meaning of our lives and the purpose we are to carry out here on Earth.

This article is a look into some of the most impactful viewpoints of philosophers over the centuries and the lasting impact that it leaves on current people. I will talk about why each viewpoint grew in prominence, its benefits and possible drawbacks if adhered to. To conclude, I will give my own reflection about what viewpoints are the best and what aspects of each idea people should draw upon or avoid in order to better understand ourselves and move forward with a greater sense of purpose.

Empiricism is a philosophical viewpoint that places a focus on gaining knowledge through sensory means. It believes that the mind begins as a blank slate, that slowly goes through observing and interacting with the real world, resulting in the minds that we have today. Empiricism arose as a counterweight to rationalist ideas at the time due to its heavy focus that knowledge that has been gained has to have evidence from the real world. Its key strength lies in encouraging scientific methods and discouraging claims that evoke a reaction but are substanceless. However, it struggles to explain abstract concepts such as mathematics, sciences or morality, which often seem to require more than mere sensory data, and sensory experiences can sometimes also be misleading or incomplete.

However, another belief is that knowledge stems from internal ideas and aspects of reason, this belief is called Rationalism. The rise of this belief can be attributed to skepticism over how unreliable our senses are, and attempts to find certainty through critical thinking and logical deduction. Philosophers like Descartes believed that some truths are self-evident and derive solely from intellectual reasoning, showing his firm belief in the lessons of Rationalism. Rationalism provides clarity and certainty, particularly in mathematics and ethics, providing a significant benefit. However, a drawback is that it often negates the importance of qualitative evidence and may lead to conclusions disconnected from real-world experience.

If we were instead to be intent on focusing on freedom, choice, and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent world shows Existentialism. Thinkers like Sartre and Kierkegaard explored the anxiety and loneliness that individuals and people tend to feel in modern life (Started in the 19th century), thus kickstarting the belief and rise of Existentialism. Existentialism can benefit people as it often empowers people to create something unique and be themselves, allowing them to be more bold and proud of themselves. On the other hand, it can also result in feelings of despair or meaninglessness when life seems pointless and without a clear objective. This self-reflection has a tendency to make people focus intensely on themselves and their place in the world, which may harm their ability to conduct conversations and communicate with the wider society.

Utilitarianism is one of the most common beliefs of philosophy and has been a cornerstone for ethics and righteous decision for centuries, this is because it prioritizes actions that lead to the greatest happiness for the greatest number, a belief that seems to have the most positive outcome regardless of the situation if followed to a dime. Developed by Bentham and Mill, it arose as a practical alternative to fixed moral rules by evaluating the consequences of actions, a new approach to philosophy and leading people to create a new philosophical debate “Do the ends justify the means?”. Its logical approach makes it useful in decision-making and encouraging general welfare, especially for those whose responsibility is to care for large numbers of people, like the government. However, the belief of “for the greater good” can and often does justify unfair treatment of minorities if overall happiness increases. Utilatarianism also faces challenges in objectively measuring happiness or suffering to properly evaluate the situation, leading to a subjective process to try and reach an objective result.

Another popular philosophical belief is Stoicism, a way of living life by being Stoic and it teaches values such as living virtuously, controlling one’s emotions and accepting fate in whatever the future holds with a calm attitude. Having been started in ancient times, such as in places like Greece and Rome, Stoicism was a response to the rapid changes/instability of the government and ever-present human suffering seen in ancient times, and pushed for self-discipline and focus on what one can control. Stoicism also helps to develop resilience and inner peace while also encouraging ethical behaviours and attitudes in life. However, this method is often misunderstood as merely suppressing emotions or is seen as passive acceptance in the face of injustice, limiting its appeal or capability for proactive social changes to improve society, part of the goal which Stoicism aims to achieve.

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