Meaning, metaphysics, and mystics: Thaddeus Metz's God, Soul and the Meaning of Life. Issue 4 (20th October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Taliaferro, Charles
• Is Part Of: International journal of philosophy and theology. Volume 82:Issue 4/5(2021)
• Page Start: 361
• Page End: 365
• Publication Date: 2021-10-20
• Subjects: Thaddeus Metz -- meaning of life -- God -- soul -- naturalism; Philosophy and religion -- Periodicals; 230
• DOI: 10.1080/21692327.2021.2003232
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2169-2327

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Thaddeus Metz is probably the leading expert on the meaning of life. His latest book admirably displays his intellectual agility and fairness: arguments, counter-arguments, examples and counter-examples come in wave after wave that may compel most of us to slow down the pace of reading. If you have ever had the delight of interacting with Professor Metz at a conference, you know his irrepressible energy and love for debate. In this brief essay, I challenge some of Metz's terminology, raise a worry about the role of metaphysics in the meaning of life literature, suggest a reply to the religious relational account of meaning, and firm up the intuition that meaning is enhanced in a theistic cosmos.