Is Life About the Journey or the Destination?

However, I disagree with this view; I believe that meaning can, indeed, be found in life through the pursuit of human achievements. From my perspective, Tolstoy’s perspective is overly fixated on the end goal of human life. He fails to recognize that the process of life itself can be an experience that holds meaning. While it is true that human endeavors are objectively insignificant and will be forgotten in the long-run, one can nonetheless find personal enjoyment in their journey.

Perhaps for the best, Tolstoy does not adhere to this nihilistic perspective throughout his entire life, and it appears merely to be a consequence of a mid-life crisis. In his later years, Tolstoy comes to the conclusion that the mass of humanity relies on religious faith and tradition to derive meaning. I believe this realization concurs with my argument that life is about the journey rather than the destination. Religion and tradition both encourage social congregation, which is an activity that brings much enjoyment to human beings. Through building a community, religion and tradition are able to introduce meaning, and perhaps relief, to people’s present lives. Tolstoy claims that religious faith also gives people reassurance through the belief that God has a plan for our life. While it is ambiguous whether or not God truly exists, such a belief allows people to fully concentrate on their present lives rather than constantly worry about their future death and possible nonexistence. This is another way in which focusing on the journey rather than the destination of life helps people find meaning.

While I do not disagree with Tolstoy that human accomplishments are insignificant in the grand scheme of the universe, I believe that the pursuit can nonetheless bring meaning to people in the present. Therefore, I reject Tolstoy’s overall defense of nihilism. The meaning of life can indeed be found — not through focusing on life’s final destination but rather on experiences that define the journey.

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