One can have subjective values as long as they are not incompatible with objective reality because that creates a disconnect. They are real inasmuch as one
holds them to be true. They are therefore subjectively real. They do not have to be true for every one. But if they were then they would be objectively true
Objective reality is that which is true regardless of subjective interpretation. And meaning in an objective sense pertains
to the universe or existence having a specific purpose. Obviously they do not and so this is only true in a subjective sense
We still don’t know what we can and cannot do. Can we harness antimatter? I don’t know. A better question would be whether it would increase or decrease of our chance of survival in the long run.
I am not satisfied with your definitions. So I will offer you mine.
Meaning: a set of interests (= desires = goals = instructions = commands) that determine the manner in which organisms attempt to live their lives
Realistic/objective meaning: a set of commands that are executed when issued
Unrealistic/subjective meaning: a set of commands that are not executed when issued
Universal meaning: belief that every organism in existence shares, or should share, the same set of interests according to which they attempt to live
Shared meaning: an observation that a set of interests is shared among a group of organisms
What does it mean when people say that “life is meaningless”?
It means that they have failed to accomplish their goals.
That their expectations are unmet.
That their commands are not being executed.
But instead of taking responsibility for their actions, by adjusting their expectations, they blame the world for failing to meet their expectations.
Objective meaning as in the grand scheme of things such as universe or existence not commands that have to be executed. Subjective
meaning as alternative to lack of objective meaning not commands that cannot be executed. You are thinking small scale but that has
nothing at all to do with nihilism and so your definitions are invalid
If one believes in god(s), one tends to also believe that god(s) created the universe with some specific intentions.
But even without a belief in god(s), one can believe that the universe is moving in a particular ‘direction’ and towards a particular ‘destination’. That would be an objective meaning or purpose.
Life feels 1 dimensional, like objects have no connection to anything besides themselves, no function other than their own existence. Thus life feels meaningless and without purpose. A Cause gives life purpose and meaning, until there are no more villians to vanquish, then it’s back to the aimless peace of the Shire, almost intolerably dull, so we make videogames to distract us from the void.
No it would not because that would be function which is a purely physical process. Whereas purpose
pertains to the nature of existence and is ontological. So they are entirely separate from each other
The purpose is in the form and function of the physical object. The shape of a car and what the car does , manifest its purpose. If the designer of the car is not there to tell you about its purpose, then you have to deduce it by examining the object.
I understand direction to mean pattern and pattern to mean a sequence of changes that repeat.
Change being a difference between two successive states, it becomes clear that direction is a property of state.
So for universe to have a direction, it must be a state.
But is it?
Is universe a state?
Or is it totality of everything, sum of all states?
And if we decide to define universe, not as everything, but only as a moment in time, one has to ask, what does this moment include?