Abstract

This work introduces the main features of a gift-model approach to the meaning of life. A number of different methods are used for the purpose of drawing an inference to the best account of a positive and sustainable conception of the meaning of life. According to the gift-model, life is a gift from the God of the Hebraic-Christian tradition. I do not offer an argument for God's existence, or the truth of theism. The assumptions of the model can be assessed for coherence and explanatory power apart from whether life is a gift from God. ;The notion of "gift" is stipulated for this special case: by giving us the gift of life, God expresses love and invites us into relationship with him. Life's meaning is then understood to consist in the relationship between God and the human recipient. The general meaning of life will reflect God's intentions in giving life, while the particular meaning of life for an individual will reflect the response to God for this gift. The gift-model stands in contrast to achievement model approaches, according to which the meaning of life is something human beings achieve by our own efforts and resources. I offer an existential interpretation of the meaning of questions about the meaning of life, according to which they are understood as expressions of hope. ;Tolstoy, Camus, Nagel and Russell exemplify ways we might respond to God's gift of life. Tolstoy is a positive example. The other views are negative examples that illustrate how we can deny the reality of God. ;The gift model is recommended over these negative views on the ground that they do not promote positive and sustainable conceptions of the meaning of life. Yet they also do not challenge the plausibility of the gift model's assumptions. ;Gratitude is important to the gift-model because it is the response that would serve to strengthen the relationship with God within which the meaning of life consists. If life is a gift from a loving God, it is with gratitude that we should respond to his outpouring of love and offer of enduring relationship