Someone recently asked me “How do you know there really is an objective meaning?”
To give background to his question, Viktor Frankl starts with the assumption of a preexisting objective meaning. He bases this on the idea that if I’m the one who has invented the meaning that means it starts and ends with me I can just as easily toss out my invention and therefore there cannot be anything objectively meaningful or compelling about my response whereas if meaning is something that exists in its own right whether I recognize it or not, then the opportunity I am given to make that meaning a reality demands that I do so.
The person in need of assistance or the chance to enjoy a day at the beach are both examples of objective meaning. Both situations confront me with the possibility of making potential meaning real. Thus by replacing the word “objective” with “potential” it becomes clear that this potential exists whether I recognize it or not and whether I act on it or not.
I’d like to take this question a step further to consider its ramifications. How can I know what the situation demands of me? Maybe instead of giving assistance right now I should be going to the beach or vice-versa. If there is no “meaning” objectively confronting me and demanding that I take one course of action or another then I can do whatever I feel like. On the other hand if there is an objective meaning then I have to take responsibility for making the “right” choice.
And if meaning exists independently of my awareness, how can I know which choice is the more meaningful one? Instead of “How do I know there is an objective meaning?” the question becomes “How can I trust myself to know what the objective meaning is?”
We will continue to explore an answer to this next week.