You’re right. In some sense, it is a question without meaning. And even if we assign a meaning to it, is it important. What is truly important is how you live your life. The meaning of an individual life is determined by the quality of that lived life. The only hazard to this question is whether it causes you to doubt your belief in the principles that guide your life.

For myself, I have always been a doubter. This is unexpected as I attended a private religious high school and college. I should be steeped in religious thinking. Some of the people who have commented on my post are very knowledgeable in theology. I can hold my own in discussions on theology. However, the older I get though the more I have trouble accepting the various dogmas that religion presents. It all seems created somehow. It is as if someone took a few facts and built an entire structure of thought from them.

So, how does this relate to your question? The reason I pursue questions of the meaning of life is that I need something to hang my way of life on. If my life is going to be of value, there has to be meaning in it. I think we are all trying to grab onto meaning so that we can feel confident that we are on the right path. However, it is possible to determine from observation what a proper way of life is. This can happen even without a God. This could be why so many religions focus on a common set of behaviors for mankind. The only question then is “Is there an afterlife?” A few decades ago, I came up with a statement that I still think is true. It is impossible for a sentient being to conceive of not being. This statement does not mean there is an afterlife or not, it is just about how sentient beings think. You will immediately say, we all know we are going to die, but nearly every religion offers the hope of some kind of afterlife.

I have probably wandered into territory that you did not intend and I hope I did not offend you but I do think these thoughts do relate to The Meaning of Life.

That is an interesting question. There is no real need to have meaning. From the earliest Greek philosophers to the present, they all seem to be looking for meaning in life and existence. Maybe that is something that has evolved in man as part of his survival strategy. It deserves further discussion.

Thank you very much for your response. I am just beginning on this forum and I appreciate any response I get.
I would guess that you are an academic. My essay was not as a professional philosopher. My intent was to use a device of writing to get nonphilosophers to begin thinking about these questions. I spent nearly forty years in education and I guess my focus has always been to get the student thinking.

I would love to continue sharing ideas about these and other questions.