#1246 Rivka Weinberg: Does Life Have Meaning?
RECORDED ON APRIL 23rd 2026.
Dr. Rivka Weinberg is a professor of philosophy at Scripps College in Claremont, California. As a philosopher and bioethicist, Dr. Weinberg specializes in ethical and metaphysical issues regarding birth, death, and meaning. Her latest book is The Meaning of It All: Ultimate Meaning, Everyday Meaning, Cosmic Meaning, Death, and Time.
In this episode, we focus on The Meaning of It All. We discuss what the question “What’s the point?” matters. We explore three different kinds of meaning: Everyday Meaning, Cosmic Meaning, and Ultimate Meaning. We discuss the impact of death and time, and whether narratives provide our lives with meaning. We talk about nihilism. Finally, we address a question from a patron of the show.
Time Links:
Intro
Why does the question “What’s the point?” matter?
Different kinds of meaning: Everyday Meaning, Cosmic Meaning, and Ultimate Meaning
Is there Ultimate Meaning?
How does Everyday Meaning manifest?
What does it mean to fulfill our human potential?
Do we have Cosmic Meaning? Do we have cosmic value?
Does suffering make our lives less meaningful?
Death and time
Do narratives provide us with meaning?
Nihilism
Question from a patron
Follow Dr. Weinberg’s work!
Follow Dr. Weinberg’s work:
Faculty page: http://bit.ly/38HYgnR
PhilPeople profile: http://bit.ly/36ALDsO
ResearchGate profile: http://bit.ly/2PIp6n6
The Meaning of It All: https://tinyurl.com/5n86ebcy