After yesterday’s post I of course had to ask ChatGPT and Perplexity what the meaning of life is.
ChatGPT:
Here are a few main perspectives:
1. Philosophical & existential view
Existentialists like Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus would say life has no inherent meaning — you create meaning yourself through your choices, relationships, and actions.
2. Religious & spiritual view
Many traditions hold that life’s purpose is to serve, love, and connect with something greater — God, the universe, or the collective good.
3. Scientific & evolutionary view
From a biological standpoint, life’s “purpose” is to survive, reproduce, and pass on genes. But humans’ big brains let us seek purposes beyond survival — like curiosity, creativity, and cooperation.
4. Humanistic & psychological view
Psychologists like Viktor Frankl suggested that meaning is found in personal responsibility, purposeful work, love, and facing suffering with dignity.
5. The lighthearted view
As *The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy* reminds us, the answer might just be “42” — but the real fun is in figuring out the question.
If you want the practical version: the meaning of life could be to live fully, love deeply, keep learning, and leave the world a little better than you found it. The details? Those are yours to decide.
Do you want me to give you a short, inspiring “pocket version” you could keep in mind daily?
Perplexity:
– Existentialism argues that life has no inherent meaning, and each individual must create their own purpose through choices, actions, and commitments.[3][4]
– God-centered views propose that life’s purpose is assigned by a divine being, and meaning is found in fulfilling a role within a cosmic plan.[5]
– Many philosophers now reject the search for a single meaning and instead point to sources like loving relationships, creativity, altruism, achievement, knowledge, and moral goodness as providing meaning in life, even without an overarching purpose.[4][5]
For many, the question divides into two:
– What is the meaning of life in general (the existence of humanity or the universe)?
– What is the meaning in my life (personal fulfillment, relationships, and values)?[4]
Asking about meaning “in life” leads to practical considerations—what gives your own existence significance, purpose, and value, regardless of whether the universe itself has meaning.[4]
Pop culture and satire have addressed the question, notably with Monty Python’s comedic take, which mocks the seriousness and ambiguity of searching for a grand answer, ultimately poking fun at the idea that such meaning must be “big” or mystical.[1][6]
Most modern philosophers and thinkers advise seeking meaning through pursuits that are intrinsically valuable, unique to each person, and shaped by personal experience—rather than expecting one universal answer.[7][5][4]
[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monty_Python’s_The_Meaning_of_Life
[3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meaning_of_life
[4] https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085959/
[5] https://www.reddit.com/r/Existentialism/comments/qhrf9q/what_is_the_meaning_of_life_why_are_we_here/
[6] https://philosophynow.org/issues/147/Why_Youre_Probably_Wrong_About_The_Meaning_of_Life
[7] https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/life-meaning/
[8] https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/monty_pythons_the_meaning_of_life
[9] https://yourmeaninginlife.com
[10] https://www.netflix.com/title/60029676
[11] https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085959/
[12] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meaning_of_life
[13] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theology
[14] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consequentialism
[15] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Featured_article_review/Big_Bang/archive3
[16] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meaning_of_life
[17] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aesthetics
[18] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meaning_of_life
[19] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meaning_of_life
[20] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meaning_of_life
[21] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meaning_of_life
August 18, 2025
…too heavy for me.
That’s fine too. We’re all different. 🙂
I love doing this kind of AI comparisons. I’m quickly becoming addicted to my conversations with AL.
🙂
I take Jesus every time.
🙂
I guess I would say a combination of a few of these. Of course, recreating is necessary for life to exist.
🙂
I appreciate anyone who asks questions! Thank you for asking this one. I think it’s a worthy one to keep asking. Whether we find out a true answer or not, just asking it regularly keeps perspective when it comes to living a meaningful life in whatever way one finds and adds meaning.
Thanks! 🙂
Not sure my brain can process any of that right now…lol
🙂
I forgot to mention that I did wonder if you would ask Chat GPT and Perplexity to see what their answers were. I figured you would
🙂
I much prefer your Practical version!
I like ChatGPT’s explanation of the practical version. “… meaning is found in personal responsibility, purposeful work, love, and facing suffering with dignity.” and hopefully with a lot of joy and gratitude thrown in.
Like is life and we’re just here for the ride LOL!
🙂
I hold with the Existentialist view.
ChatGPT’s practical version is similar to that: “… meaning is found in personal responsibility, purposeful work, love, and facing suffering with dignity.”
Very good
🙂