This essay explores four interconnected questions about the human condition: what it means to be human, how to live a life of meaning and purpose, how to understand and appreciate the natural world, and how to forge a more just society for the common good. Drawing on scholarship from Philippe Rochat on human evolution and socialization, Reker, Peacock, and Wong on life attitudes and well-being, and Wendy Lee on ecological interdependence, the paper argues that humanity is defined by its capacity for connection, reflection, and purposeful action — qualities that, when cultivated, can drive individuals and societies toward greater flourishing.
The meaning of humanity is difficult to grasp. It is complex and often layered. People do not think of humanity as belonging solely to the animal kingdom or to some purely spiritual realm of being — it is often seen as a combination of the two. Humans bleed, have instincts, and mate. Human females carry babies within the womb. This is how any normal mammal behaves. Yet humans also think and perform conscious actions that run counter to their instincts.
Humans have, for at least 5,000 years, formed intricate and complex societies. They use games for recreation to relieve stress and promote bonding. They carry out detailed plans to build towns and cities. Humans even use religion in order to connect with each other and with their perceived spiritual world.
There are many wonderful aspects of humanity that make us more than just animals. So how does this apply to the meaning of being human? Perhaps the struggle between animal and being — the constant desire to be one or the other, or in some cases both — is where the meaning of being human lies. Humanity is a delicate balance of everything the conscious world has to offer.
In an article by Philippe Rochat (2006), he states:
"We share 98% of our genetic make-up with chimpanzees, one of our closer primate relatives in phenotype. Aside from a larger brain, the control of erect posture, dexterous hands, or complex groups of facial muscles by which we express complex emotions, humans evolved unique ways to act and to solve problems. More importantly, as a species, we evolved unmatched ways to relate and deal with one another." (Rochat 2006)
Socialization, appreciation, consideration, love, mourning — these active, long-term behaviors and feelings are unique to humans. Although animals have been observed mourning and using tools, humans do so in a way that invites a group, even the entire world, to participate. It is in this process that the meaning of humanity lies. Looking back at religion, it is a way for a large number of people to come together as one.
Religion plays a meaningful part in most people's lives. It teaches morality and allows people to connect with others, sharing one common belief. It has existed in numerous forms and provided the backdrop for many civilizations. No other animal besides humans has used anything similar to religion in order to connect.
Animals other than humans use their instincts, their natural talents and gifts, to communicate with the world around them. Humans, on the other hand, try to communicate with other humans across continents. We have invented email, cars, airplanes, and webcams — all to communicate with people at any point in time. Communication, connection, socialization: this is what it means to be human.
Yes, humans are social creatures by nature. If one looks at the primates and monkeys to whom humans are linked, they exist within groups, relying on each other to survive. Humans are similar, but they do it on a larger scale. The basic need to feel a part of something, coupled with the ability to transform this need into a tool — an effective means of learning and acquiring knowledge — is how people can not only find meaning in being human, but demonstrate that meaning to the world. Human beings are an amazing and revolutionary species. Thanks to the need for communication and connection, they will soon explore space in ways no other known living form has attempted.
Several things can be said about living a life full of meaning and purpose. People the world over search for their so-called destinies. But how do people live with meaning and purpose? Looking at Catholicism, for instance, sin — the origin of humanity's demise — first began with Adam and Eve. Through Eve's bite of the apple, and Adam's subsequent bite thereafter, humans have been regarded by some Christian theologies as intrinsically evil. However, Catholics believe humans are intrinsically good because they were created in the image of God. God is good, and therefore humans are good.
With so many competing ideas about whether humans were born good or evil, it is no wonder people feel lost. Many things can help a person find their path and their purpose in life. Purpose and meaning go hand in hand. One cannot live a life of purpose without it meaning something, just as one cannot lead a meaningful life without any purpose.
Doctors, nurses, and teachers all serve an important purpose within their society. Their vocation encapsulates their purpose and provides them with an identity. This identity then helps them gain acceptance within society and assists those around them — whether close or distant. When considering what it means to live a life of purpose and meaning, it is important to understand where the need for purpose and meaning originates and how it relates to the individual and to society.
A life of meaning and purpose translates to a useful life. A person grounded in meaning and purpose can accomplish far more than a person who feels lost. A compelling example is Mother Teresa. She led a life of meaning and purpose, helping thousands of people directly and influencing millions more around the world through her generosity and sacrifice.
So many examples of people with clear purpose and meaning demonstrate not only success, but remarkable perseverance and inspiration. In a study conducted by Reker, Peacock, and Wong, the researchers share observations and findings about people at various developmental stages:
"Three hundred men and women at five developmental stages from young adulthood to the old-old completed measures of life attitudes and well-being. Significant age differences were found on five life attitude dimensions: life purpose (LP), death acceptance (DA), goal seeking (GS), future meaning (FM), and Existential Vacuum (EV). LP and DA increased with age; GS and FM decreased with age; EV showed a curvilinear relationship with age. Significant sex differences were found for life control (LC) and will to meaning (WM). Women viewed life as more under their control and expressed a stronger will to find meaning as compared with males. FM, LP, and LC were found to predict psychological and physical well-being; EV, GS, and DA predicted psychological and physical discomfort. Preliminary findings attest to the importance of various life attitudes in promoting health and wellness." (Reker, Peacock, and Wong 1986)
This study provides insight into not only how people react to life at various stages of development, but also their overall outlook. Leading a life full of meaning and purpose keeps people from feeling depressed and useless. In fact, many chronically depressed individuals share a desire for direction in life, often stating that they feel lost, have no meaning, or have no reason to live.
Considering how religion might apply to this question, religion often enables people to release their past mistakes and sins, gaining a new direction and serving a new purpose. Regardless of whether that purpose helps humanity as a whole, it sometimes helps the individual profoundly. Many recovering addicts, for example, have used religion to find meaning and purpose.
To understand the natural world, one must see and be immersed in it. People like Emerson and Thoreau — with special emphasis on Thoreau — took to nature in order to see how the world around them worked. They wrote about it, analyzed it, and reflected on it to understand how it functions and persists. Viewing the world from a personal perspective, observing its changes and cycles, helps clarify why it exists and how it will continue to exist.
"Nature's cycles, faith, and ecological appreciation"
"Individual actions and collective change toward justice"
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