Joseph Campbell’s Insights on Life’s Meaning: An Exploration of Subjective Purpose and Personal Responsibility
Joseph Campbell, a renowned scholar and author, famously stated, “Life has no meaning. Each of us has meaning and we bring it to life. It is a waste to be asking the question when you are the answer.” This quote encapsulates his perspective on the nature of life’s purpose and the role of individual responsibility. Let’s delve deeper into the key concepts behind this insightful statement.
Subjective Meaning
One of the central ideas in Campbell’s wisdom is the concept of subjective meaning. He suggests that life itself does not carry any universal, predefined meaning. Instead, meaning is deeply personal and subjective. Each individual is capable of defining their own purpose and significance, based on their experiences, values, and aspirations.
Personal Responsibility
By emphasizing that “each of us has meaning and we bring it to life,” Campbell underscores the inherent responsibility that individuals have in discovering and cultivating their own meanings. This assertion is a call to action, encouraging people to embark on a journey of self-discovery and to find what is personally meaningful to them. It moves away from passively accepting societal meanings and fosters a mindset of active engagement and creation.
Questioning vs. Creating
The latter part of the quote, “It is a waste to be asking the question when you are the answer,” implies a shift from passive questioning to active creation. Rather than endlessly pondering the meaning of life, one should focus on their unique contributions and experiences. The answer lies within each person’s actions, choices, and interpretations of their own experiences. This perspective encourages a more engaged and purposeful approach to life.
Empowerment
Ultimately, Campbell’s message is empowering. It encourages individuals to take control of their lives and find fulfillment through their own definitions of meaning rather than relying on external sources or societal expectations. This empowerment stems from the realization that each person is the creator of their own significance, rather than a passive recipient of predetermined meanings.
In essence, Campbell advocates for an introspective approach to life, where individuals actively create their own significance. This approach requires a shift away from conformity to socially prescribed roles and meanings, and toward a more authentic and personally driven path.
Confronting Misunderstandings: “Idallade Adu Enu”
Much of our life is lived through the lens of societal programs and expectations. We go to school, go to work, save for retirement, visit enriching places, help others, and sacrifice for the sake of external goals. We are taught certain meaning systems that are not necessarily reflective of our own personal meanings, but rather those of society at large. As Campbell suggests, we are often given the role of playing societal characters, such as the “soldier” or the “boy,” which are predetermined and external.
Emergent Meaning Systems
Emergent meaning systems, on the other hand, arise from within the individual and are primarily conveyed by emotion and energy. A true passion is not something you do for external benefits, but because it energizes you and brings fulfillment. As you become more attuned to your emotions and inner energy, you can recognize that these are not something you create, but rather something that makes you who you are.
Your deepest motivations and directions emerge from your interactions with the world, not from your mind or societal expectations. True passion and purpose are not something you can make up, but something that makes you up. Learning to sense and feed these inner flames can lead to a more authentic and fulfilling life.