In my book “Forgotten Connections” I pose the question. “If you could dream up the most meaningful universe possible what would you dream up?”
I ask this because to ask what is meaningful we must first define meaning. The Cambridge Dictionary defines meaning as “importance or value:” So when we ask about our meaning we are asking what makes us important or valuable.
It may be useful to list what could make you important of valuable? Let your imagination go wild here. We are trying to get an idea of what we mean by meaning. So by imagining maximum meaning we can assess if our own lives could potentially have even a fraction of that meaning.
To get an objective answer to this I asked ChatGPT. The advantage here is that ChatGPT spits out an answers based on all the content it has read. I encourage you to make your own list before reading ChatGPTs. We don’t want to let AI take away our ability to think in this way.
The exact question I asked ChatGPT was “If you could dream up the most meaningful universe possible what would you dream up?”
Here is its response in full…
“Dreaming up the most meaningful universe possible is a profound and subjective endeavor, as meaning can be interpreted in myriad ways depending on individual perspectives and values. However, if I were to imagine such a universe, it would likely incorporate the following elements:
- Consciousness and Awareness: Every being within this universe would possess a deep sense of self-awareness and consciousness. This would allow them to reflect upon their existence, contemplate the nature of reality, and seek fulfillment and purpose.
- Harmony and Balance: The universe would be characterized by a delicate balance between all its components, whether they are physical, biological, or metaphysical. Harmony would prevail among different species and ecosystems, fostering cooperation and mutual respect.
- Infinite Growth and Learning: Beings within this universe would have infinite potential for growth and learning. They would be driven by curiosity and a thirst for knowledge, constantly pushing the boundaries of understanding and creativity.
- Empathy and Compassion: Empathy would be a fundamental aspect of existence, leading beings to genuinely care for one another and strive for the well-being of all. Compassion would guide interactions, fostering kindness, generosity, and cooperation.
- Meaningful Connections: Relationships and connections would be deeply meaningful and fulfilling, transcending mere physical or superficial interactions. Beings would forge profound bonds based on shared values, experiences, and emotions.
- Freedom and Autonomy: Individuals would have the freedom to pursue their own paths and make choices that align with their values and aspirations. Autonomy would be respected and upheld, allowing for personal growth and self-expression.
- Unity in Diversity: Diversity would be celebrated and valued, enriching the fabric of the universe with a tapestry of cultures, perspectives, and experiences. Despite differences, there would be a sense of unity and interconnectedness among all beings.
- Purpose and Fulfillment: Each being would have a unique purpose or calling, contributing their talents and abilities to the greater good of the universe. Fulfillment would come from living authentically and making meaningful contributions to the world around them.
- Transcendence and Spiritual Growth: The universe would offer opportunities for spiritual growth and transcendence, allowing beings to explore the deeper mysteries of existence and connect with something greater than themselves.
- Eternal Legacy: The impact of individuals’ actions would ripple throughout eternity, leaving a lasting legacy that enriches the fabric of the universe for generations to come.
In this imagined universe, meaning would permeate every aspect of existence, from the smallest interactions to the grandest cosmic phenomena, fostering a profound sense of purpose, connection, and fulfillment for all beings within it.”
Some questions to consider…
How did your list compare with ChatGPTs?
Does this change how you think about meaning?
What could you do to add meaning into your life?
P.s. This extract from the Wikipedia page on “The Meaning of Life” may be of interest: “The meaning of life can be derived from philosophical and religious contemplation of, and scientific inquiries about, existence, social ties, consciousness, and happiness. Many other issues are also involved, such as symbolic meaning, ontology, value, purpose, ethics, good and evil, free will, the existence of one or multiple gods, conceptions of God, the soul, and the afterlife.”