Chris Jepson: In the beginning was your word

If humans did not speak or write, would there—without word—be a meaning to life? Is there a meaning to existence other than what humans attach to it? My sister likes to say, “We are the universe talking to itself.” Without a doubt human beings are what the universe is doing in our part of the solar system. Out of cosmic dust and time, from simplicity (relatively speaking) to complexity, humans exist. To the degree a meaning can be extracted from any of “that” is an individual determination.

Mythologist Joseph Campbell observed that, “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.” I question, a bit, Campbell’s terse assessment that life has no meaning (in any larger sense than of mere human expression), not because I disagree but rather it is our nature (and it is immensely fun) to speculate about such matters.

I will be speaking Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 10 a.m. at the University Club of Winter Park. The title of my presentation is, “The meaning of a life in a word. A personal evolution.” I invite all interested readers to attend. It would be an excellent opportunity to visit (if you are not a member) the University Club.

The UCWP is one of those most marvelous of human endeavors. It unabashedly supports the exploration and discussion of ideas. I very much encourage your attendance on Nov. 11 as well as your eventual consideration of a quite affordable UCWP annual membership.

My presentation will be primarily from Joseph Campbell’s perspective, that any meaning is one we (individuals) bring to it. I’ve been polling friends and folks on what their perspective is on the subject. I’ve asked – if possible – that they reduce it (the meaning of life) to one word. I personally place a premium on the brevity of succinct thought. Don’t misunderstand, I relish the embellishments of a richly conceived narrative, but I embrace the elegance of a clearly stated thesis. To effectively communicate an idea in the fewest words is ne plus ultra to me.

As I do not embrace any cosmic (or religious) meaning to human existence other than to get one’s genes into successive generations, what we as individuals seek will be the focus of my speech. Winter Park’s good doctor, the inestimable Jim Williamson’s word is “subjective” which I, too, value. My sister’s self-described meaning is “wonder and delight.” A friend offered-up “serenity” because she values calmness in her life.

There’s a part of me that resonates with Voltaire’s, “‎Life is a shipwreck, but we must not forget to sing in the lifeboats.” Love it! And why not! Until, of course, the unfortunate necessity of eating the cabin boy sets in.

Voltaire’s “Candide” argued that life challenges humans to confront boredom, poverty and vice. Are we not at times at risk of disenchantment with our species, with the human condition? Only productive work (life’s meaning?) such as tending one’s garden was the appropriate response.

Another “garden” proponent was Epicurus, a third-century B.C. Greek philosopher who created an Athenian commune called “the Garden.” Above it’s entrance was the following declaration: “Stranger, here you will do well to tarry. Here our highest good is pleasure.”

This last Aug. 27, I considered “evolution” as my word, that the meaning of life inevitably evolves as we make our way. Onward.

Bring your word 11/11.