philosophy test 1- meaning of life Tolstoy, a confession
Tolstoy ultimately finds meaning for life. How does he do that?
He believes that we should have faith and live according to "God's Law." Only faith can answer the question of the meaning of life by reconciling the finite with the infinite. You must abandon rationality!
Why is life meaningless, according to Tolstoy? Does Tolstoy believe that loving your family can provide meaning for life? Why or why not?
Life is meaningless because we all die and nothing is left of us. Loving our families provides no meaning of life because, after all they are humans and we must face the truth that they will die eventually.
According to Tolstoy, how does science answer the question whether life has meaning? Does he think that science can provide us with a meaning for life?
No, there is no answer to question about the meaning of life.
How does faith answer the question of the meaning of life, i.e., what can faith do that science/rationality cannot do?
The finite must be reconciled with the infinite to give meaning to our lives. Reason/science cannot do it.
What is Tolstoy's confession about?
When middle-aged, and successful on all accounts, he became plagued by "foolish, simple, and childish" questions, questions that would lead him to question the purpose of his life and life in general