Questions about the meaning of life have been expressed in a broad variety of ways, including:

6.9 One should not seek to know and understand the meaning of life.

6.6 To love, to feel, to enjoy the act of living.

6.1 To realize one's potential and ideals.

4 East Asian philosophical perspectives.

2.4 Scientific questions about the mind.

2.3 Origins and ultimate fate of the universe.

2.2 Origin and nature of biological life.

2.1 Psychological significance and value in life.

An alternative, humanistic approach poses the question, 'What is the meaning of my life?' Science also studies and can provide recommendations for the pursuit of well-being and a related conception of morality. Scientific contributions focus primarily on describing related empirical facts about the universe, exploring the context and parameters concerning the 'how' of life. Many other issues are also involved, such as symbolic meaning, ontology, value, purpose, ethics, good and evil, free will, the existence of one or multiple gods, conceptions of God, the soul, and the afterlife.

The meaning of life, as we perceive it, is derived from philosophical and religious contemplation of, and scientific inquiries about existence, social ties, consciousness, and happiness. Different people and cultures believe different things for the answer to this question. The search for life's meaning has produced much philosophical, scientific, theological, and metaphysical speculation throughout history. Many other related questions include: 'Why are we here?', 'What is life all about?', or 'What is the purpose of existence?' There have been many proposed answers to these questions from many different cultural and ideological backgrounds. The meaning of life, or the answer to the question: 'What is the meaning of life?', pertains to the significance of living or existence in general. Where Do We Come From? What Are We? Where Are We Going?, one of Post-Impressionist Paul Gauguin's most famous paintings