The question of meaning is perceived as being at the root of religion. Philosophy presents secular competition with its radical criticism of the concretizations used in theological language and of the way meaning is derived from 'holy' - in other words inviolable - values of a god. This consideration of meaning has not always dealt with worldly purposes and other-worldly goals. Rather it has revolved around achieving a reasonable understanding of the subject itself and the right position in relation to it or - as in the case of the meaning of human life - living a good life overall.
Pirmin Stekeler-Weithofer, Universität Leipzig.
