Life Quote by A.C. Grayling
““. . .the most important philosophical question we can each ask ourselves is, ‘Do I or do I not wish to commit suicide?’ If we say, ‘No I do not,’ as most of us would, it is because we have reasons for living, or at the very least real hope that we can find such reasons. Then the next question is: what are the reasons I personally have for saying ‘No’ to that question? The answer contains the meaning of my life.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Meaning of Life: A Very Short Introduction, 2005
The deepest philosophical issue is whether we choose life over death, and identifying personal reasons for living defines our life's meaning.
In simple terms: Choosing life over death defines meaning.
Key Takeaway
Identify personal reasons to live.
Themes
existential
purpose
mental health
Mood
contemplative
hopeful
Type
philosophical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- therapy sessions
- personal reflection
- support groups
Key Concepts
philosophy
meaning of life
suicide prevention
Questions to Reflect On
- What reasons keep you alive?
- How can you cultivate new reasons?
A Different Perspective
Suicide thoughts can persist despite identified reasons.
![“Perhaps worse still is what liberal societies might do to themselves in the face of this new and different threat [of terrorism]. They begin, by small but dangerous increments, to cease to be as liberal as they once were. They begin to restrict their own hard-won rights and freedoms as a…” quote by A.C. Grayling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/42e/a-c-grayling-9398_commit_perhaps-worse-still-is-what-liberal-soci_374837.jpg)
![“The notion that evil is non-rational is a more significant claim for Eagleton than at first appears, because he is (in this book [ On Evil ] as in others of his recent 'late period' prolific burst) anxious to rewrite theology: God (whom he elsewhere tells us is nonexistent, but this is no barrier…” quote by A.C. Grayling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6a5/a-c-grayling-9398_atheism_the-notion-that-evil-is-non-rational-is_599668.jpg)
