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Introduction
So, what is the truth about ageing and the meaning of life?
The answer to the meaning of life the universe and everything is forty-two. Those of you of a certain age and literary bent will understand that. Those of you of a certain age but not of that particular literary bent will not.
I’ve always seen this – the answer to the meaning of life being 42 – as a perfect representation of an absurdist, existentialist answer. Douglas Adams, to my knowledge, never claimed to be an existentialist and he apparently chose the number 42 randomly. However, The Hitchhiker’s Guide certainly has a number of existentialist themes.
And when it comes to the meaning of life, I confess I do find myself in the camp of the existentialists. A long time ago – when I should have been doing other things – I discovered existentialist thought. It resonated with me deeply.
I was especially taken with the some of the philosophical and psychological insights of Jean Paul Sartre. His politics never appealed, but his philosophy did. Sartre’s writing is, in places, so dense it’s almost meaningless. Yet in other’s it is full of the most wonderful nuggets of knowledge.
Sartre famously explained that we are condemned to be free. What he meant was that we have to make choices – and not choosing is a choice.
We are not born with a purpose set out for us – in Sartre’s words, our existence comes before our essence. Our choices give our life meaning they create our essence. Some may see this as the most crushing burden because we are responsible for our life’s meaning.
Some years after reading Sartre, I discovered Victor Frankl. Frankl was a holocaust survivor. He developed a branch of psychotherapy that he called Logotherapy – healing through meaning.
In Frankl’s work, there are some similarities with Sartre’s thought. Frankl believed that that human beings were motivated by a search for meaning – he called it the will to meaning. Indeed, he argued that we are responsible for finding the meaning in our lives.
For Frankl, the meaning for each of us is unique, and may change from time to time. We can’t always choose our circumstances but we can choose the attitude we take to our circumstances.
So, in brief, my view is that there is no meaning to our lives apart from the meaning that we give it. And that, to me, seems pretty important.
As you age, I guess you reflect more deeply on life’s bigger questions. What has been the purpose of it all? Have you fulfilled your potential?
The search for meaning intensifies as you grow older, and this exploration is far from unusual. Ageing naturally brings a shift in perspective, as it forces you to confront what truly matters. This journey, filled with philosophical reflection, spiritual inquiry, and personal growth, is central to understanding the truth about ageing and the meaning of life.
The Philosophical Search for Meaning
It must be the case that human beings have always searched for meaning. It didn’t start in the twentieth century.
Throughout history, philosophers have grappled with the question of life’s meaning. From Aristotle’s belief in eudaimonia—the idea of human flourishing—to the existentialists’ claim that life is inherently without meaning, these age-old debates can feel particularly relevant as you get older.
For Aristotle, the good life was one of virtue and fulfilment, but as we age, the definition of flourishing may evolve. What once seemed important, like career success or material gains, might fade, replaced by a desire for inner peace, relationships, and contribution to the world.
The closer we come to the end of life, the more the idea of creating our own meaning seems to resonate. Ageing forces you to reckon with the finite nature of existence and pushes you to reflect on the meaning you’ve created—or want to create—before it’s too late.
Rather than something to fear, this can be a powerful motivator to find purpose in daily actions.
Ageing, then, isn’t just a physical process; it’s a philosophical journey. It prompts deeper reflections about what it means to live a meaningful life, much like these philosophical inquiries into the ultimate purpose of existence.
Psychological Perspectives on Ageing and Meaning
Beyond philosophy, psychology offers a clear lens through which we can view the connection between ageing and life’s meaning. Erik Erikson, a pioneering psychologist, described the final stage of life as a battle between integrity and despair.
As you age, you naturally begin to reflect on your life, questioning whether you’ve lived it with purpose and meaning.
In this stage, called Integrity vs. Despair, you may find yourself assessing your achievements and failures. The goal here is to arrive at a sense of integrity—a feeling that your life has been worthwhile.
This doesn’t mean that you have to have lived a perfect life; rather, it’s about accepting it for what it has been, embracing both the good and the bad.
Psychologically, those who focus on generativity—the idea of giving back to younger generations—often experience a stronger sense of purpose. Perhaps you’ve noticed that older individuals, from retirees to grandparents, often find new purpose through volunteering, mentoring, or caring for others.
This desire to leave a legacy can be deeply fulfilling, providing meaning in ways that may not have been apparent earlier in life.
Studies in positive ageing also suggest that individuals who maintain a sense of purpose are happier and healthier as they age. Even after retirement, many find new passions, from learning a new skill to contributing to community projects.
Purpose, it turns out, isn’t a static concept; it evolves with time and experience, and ageing gives you the opportunity to redefine it.
Ageing, Mortality, and the Fear of Death
One of the most significant challenges of ageing is coming to terms with mortality. It’s not uncommon to feel a growing awareness of death as you age, which can sometimes trigger anxiety or fear. This is where existential philosophy and psychology meet, particularly in the form of Terror Management Theory.
According to this theory, much of human behaviour is driven by an unconscious fear of death. As you grow older, this fear becomes harder to ignore, and finding meaning becomes all the more urgent. After all, the closer you get to the end of life, the more pressing the question of its purpose seems.
For some, this fear is mitigated through spirituality or religion. Whether it’s through formal religious practices or more personal spiritual reflections, older individuals often turn to these frameworks to make sense of life and death. You may find comfort in the idea of an afterlife or a continuing legacy, which offers a sense of meaning that transcends death itself.
However, even without religious belief, many find meaning through immortality projects—efforts to leave a lasting impact on the world. From passing down knowledge to creating art, these projects offer a way to ensure that part of you lives on, providing a sense of continuity even after you’re gone.
The Sociocultural Influence on the Meaning of Life
The search for meaning doesn’t happen in isolation; it’s shaped by the culture you live in. Different societies view ageing in vastly different ways, and these cultural attitudes can have a profound impact on how you find purpose as you age.
In many Eastern cultures, older people are revered, seen as wise elders with valuable knowledge to share. In such societies, ageing is embraced as a natural and respected part of life.
Contrast this with many Western societies, where youth and productivity are often glorified, and ageing can sometimes feel like a process of becoming invisible.
This cultural narrative can make finding meaning in old age more difficult. However, it’s important to challenge these perceptions. You can redefine what it means to be old, embracing the wisdom, experience, and perspective that comes with it.
Strong social connections, meaningful relationships, and community involvement can also help foster a sense of purpose, as seen in Blue Zones—regions where people live significantly longer due in part to their strong social ties.
The Wisdom of Ageing and Acceptance
One of the greatest gifts of ageing is wisdom. As you age, you gain not just knowledge but a deeper understanding of life’s complexities. This wisdom can provide comfort and meaning, especially as you approach the later stages of life.
Research shows that older adults often experience greater emotional resilience and are better at regulating their emotions compared to younger people. This increased emotional stability can lead to a more peaceful acceptance of life’s ups and downs.
As you age, you may also begin to accept mortality in a way that feels natural rather than frightening. Whether you draw on religious traditions, spiritual practices, or simply the wisdom of lived experience, this acceptance can bring a profound sense of peace.
For example, in Buddhist philosophy, ageing and death are seen as natural parts of life’s cycle, and acceptance of this impermanence is key to inner peace.
For many, wisdom also comes from letting go of the need to control everything. Ageing teaches you that some things are simply beyond your power, and with that realisation comes a deeper appreciation for the present moment.
Conclusion
Ageing brings the search for meaning into sharper focus. It’s a time when life’s biggest questions—about purpose, mortality, and legacy—can no longer be brushed aside.
But this isn’t a negative thing. On the contrary, the later years of life offer an opportunity to find deeper meaning and purpose, whether through reflecting on past achievements, creating new legacies, or simply accepting the natural course of life.
In this sense, ageing is not an end but a transformation—a chance to distil life down to its most meaningful elements. Whether through relationships, spirituality, or personal wisdom, the truth about ageing and the meaning of life is that they are deeply intertwined. And while the questions may be challenging, the journey towards answering them can be profoundly fulfilling.
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