Introduction

The Introduction notes the relation between analytic philosophical discussions of meaning in life and earlier discussions of this topic (and of topics close to it). Analytic philosophical discussions of meaning in life have proliferated only recently. The Introduction suggests some possible explanations for this phenomenon. It is suggested that the interest that existentialists and Romantics showed in meaning in life associated the topic with philosophical methodologies from which analytic philosophy wanted to distinguish itself. The prominence of meaning in life in literary works may have had a similar effect. Some analytic philosophers may have also satisfied themselves with researching well-being or the happy life, failing to see that meaning in life is a distinct topic of its own. Psychological factors may have been at work as well, as some philosophical discussions on meaning in life engage with pessimistic arguments for life's meaninglessness that can be disconcerting. Notwithstanding such factors, the analytic philosophical discussion of meaning in life has by now become a thriving field of research. It is predicted that the field will continue to develop as many interesting topics in it are still waiting to be explored. Furthermore, future environmental and technological changes are likely to pose both great opportunities and serious threats to maintaining or enhancing meaning in life. The Introduction then moves to present a short summary of each chapter of the Handbook.