Meaning of Life - Neil deGrasse Tyson

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson answers the question "What is the meaning of life" asked by a 6 year old child at the Wilbur Theatre Boston on January 2015

I think people ask that question on the assumption that meaning is something you can look for and then,I found it. Here’s the meaning. And it doesn’t consider the possibility that meaning is something you create, you manufacture it for yourself and for others.

So when I think of meaning’ in life, I ask, did I learn something today that I didn’t know yesterday, bringing me a little closer to knowing all that can be known in the universe? If I live a day and I don’t know a little more than I did the day before, I think I wasted that day. To think brings you closer to nature. To learn how things work gives you power to influence events. Gives you power to help people who may need it power to help yourselves to shape a trajectory.

So when I think of what is the meaning of life, to me that's not an eternal, unanswerable question to me that is in arm’s reach of me everyday.

[TheJourneyofPurpose]

“The problem, often not discovered until late in life, is that when you look for things in life like love, meaning, motivation, it implies they are sitting behind a tree or under a rock. The most successful people in life recognize, that in life they create their own love, they manufacture their own meaning, they generate their own motivation. For me, I am driven by two main philosophies, know more today about the world than I knew yesterday. And lessen the suffering of others. You'd be surprised how far that gets you.” 
― Neil deGrasse Tyson

[DomsDocs]

*"The meaning of life is just to be alive" --- Alan Watts*

[hendrycaven]

He really astonishes me with his optimistic perspective on life. He reall goes deep within ourselves to make us question more and want more information to fill our need for the truth. The meaning of life, in my opinion is knowledge, curiosity, and a spark to start it all... I am quite young, merely 15, and wander around baffling this huge topic which has no definite anwer... Afterall, life is a journey!

I hope you have a great day, and thanks for reading my comment!

[megarudyray]

So crazy that in listening/reading those words. I just turned 38. And I was preparing for an interview. I started to think about the difference between me now, and me 10 years ago. I realized that now, I learn from every challenge and obstacle in life. Every day.

[yogician]

This video is so good. It makes think outside of my mind and I like that. I love Neil's mind

[midheaven]

I like very much Neil deGrass Tyson. Excellent sense of humor ( big plus ), very humane and approachable ( the feeling I get), huge mind but humble ( I hate astrophysics divas ). My opinion is that he is one of the greatest men ( and still alive) in our times. I feel great respect for him.

[GetCrazyXD]

Saddens me a great amount every time I come back to this & see the view count.

[erik]

Maybe the meaning of life isnt even something to be created or searched for. Maybe the meaning of life is something we already have, but we've just forgotten? Complete awareness and recognition with all that is. It's something that does not need to be searched for or created, its been right in front of our faces since the day we were born, only we've fallen into the mind trap of thinking there is something outside us that gives purpose and meaning to life. Life itself is the meaning of life, we just have to remember, let go of all the distractions and come into this moment. Its all around us, its already within us. Great video though, again, thank you for creating and sharing.

[yogician]

This is one of the best videos on YouTube love it

[Surmanlegacy]

Invigorating Videos that engage with the mind much deeper than what the mind is bombarded with in everyday life, thank you for these videos, these are a prime example of the inquisitive hunger of the human mind and universerve to explore itself.

[danmat]

In a world full of fear porn I appreciate the positivity of your channel.thank you.

[TheJourneyofPurpose]

Spanish Subtitles added
Thanks to Tomás Bogo

[paavokuronen]

Well said by Tyson. This view was already articulated by the existentialist philosophers of the late 19th century and the early to mid 20th century. Still I think it's the best answer, although in this creative process of meaning we are not unrooted free agents, just popping up to create meaning, but rather we are links in a historical process, where our quest for creating meaning is helped and shaped profoundly by philosophy, poetry, literature and of course science as well (and by the religious traditions as well). So yes, we create meaning, but we are also part of a bigger picture, and we can find profound meaning created by those who came before us. The quest for learning and growth never ends, and it's a joyous journey.

[tharykwances]

cada um cria o seu próprio significado!.

[thexmodz]

TJOP could you please put download links to a mp3 format on all your videos so i can listen to them in my car

[rohithm]

The biggest mistake done by most people after watching this video is that they give priority to admire Neil deGrasse Tyson's intelligence for thinking likewise rather than thinking about the great thought he put forward.                                                          
It's not that anyone can't think like that.

[flafaloon]

What song is this? id love to have the fulll versoin so I can meditate to it. PLease tell me TJOP!

[Zack-sjgc]

Truthcontest will give you the ultimate truth and meaning.

[gabekekhoua]

"The meaning of life is to give life meaning."  ~  Ken Hudgins

What's the piano track in the background?