Embracing Life's Enduring Ideals

In our life, true wealth consists not only of our daily achievements but also of the feeling of the presence of those ideals that define us from within. Each of us strives to find something infinitely valuable that becomes the main guiding principle directing our actions throughout our lives. This process of seeking provides not only personal satisfaction but also transforms our existence into something significant and imbued with deep meaning.

Achieving this state begins with an inner sense of a goal that is valuable in itself. We do not merely reach goals for utilitarian gains; we strive for something greater— for priceless benchmarks that make this journey truly unique. Such goals help us recognize our individuality and fill our lives with vivid colors through a meaningful perception of experience. The personal significance of these values becomes the factor that transforms the mundane into a path full of depth, motivation, and inspiration.

Cultural traditions passed down from generation to generation also play an important role. It is through family experience and deeply rooted life principles that we lay the foundation for our beliefs, making our path steady and reliable. This transmission of values helps create a holistic view of life, enabling us to move forward confidently even in the face of difficulties.

Thus, the meaning of life takes on a multi-layered structure, where personal aspiration, thoughtful experience, and cultural heritage merge into a unified whole. This comprehensive approach turns every moment of our life into a source of energy and inspiration, opening up space for constant growth and self-realization.


What life values give our lives meaning and significance?

Our answer can be built on the idea that the meaning of life lies in the deep sense of possessing values that go beyond a purely utilitarian existence. These are the ideals and benchmarks that determine our behavior, choices, and aspirations, making our lives significant from both a personal and a universal standpoint.

Firstly, an important aspect is having a goal that is valuable in itself—something that gives our life that “infinitely precious” value for which we live. As stated in one of the sources:
"From beginning to end, it is presented as a hierarchy of goals, some subordinated to others as means. There are goals that are desirable not for their own sake... But there is also a goal that is desirable for its own sake. Each one of us has something infinitely precious for which we live..." (source: link ).

Secondly, the meaning and significance of life are formed through the subjective experience of objective values. The value of perceived experience is directly linked to the personal significance of what we acknowledge, allowing us to consider value as an ideal benchmark that guides our attention and choices. To support this, the following statement is provided:
"Such a value, as a universal one, admits the expression of a generally significant thought; and thus, the narrow, specific meaning of the word 'meaning' in this case does not cancel out but rather complements its general sense. ... Primarily, the personal significance of what is perceived plays the decisive role here..." (source: link ).

Finally, the cultural and familial aspect is decisive: values are passed down from generation to generation, ingraining themselves in our worldview through traditions and the life experiences of our parents, which creates the foundation for a meaningful existence. This is particularly evident in the transmission of life principles and in establishing a benchmark for the future (source: link ).

Thus, the meaning and significance of our lives consist of several layers: an inner personal sense of a singular, important goal; the objective-philosophical understanding of experience; and the traditional passing on of values, which together form the resilient fabric on which our existence is built.

Supporting citation(s):
"From beginning to end, it is presented as a hierarchy of goals, some subordinated to others as means. There are goals that are desirable not for their own sake... But there is also a goal that is desirable for its own sake. Each one of us has something infinitely precious for which we live..." (source: link )

"Such a value, as a universal one, admits the expression of a generally significant thought; and thus, the narrow, specific meaning of the word 'meaning' in this case does not cancel out but rather complements its general sense. ... Primarily, the personal significance of what is perceived plays the decisive role here..." (source: link )

"The child first turns to the parents in order to determine the right direction. […] We, as parents, must have a vital foundation on which we build our lives so that we can pass it on to our child." (source: link )