A Meaningful Life

A MEANINGFUL LIFE is a book about living purposefully and composedly in today’s world of strife, turmoil, uncertainty, and competitive survival. The recognition is that, with a stable, intelligently derived sense of meaning, anyone can weather any storm with courage and composure, or, as stated by Friedrich Nietzsche, “If we have our own why in life, we shall get along with almost any how.” Without it, today’s youth are burdened by feelings of uncertainty, loneliness, fear, depression, or despair, leaving a hole in the soul they cannot comprehend, far less fill. The consequence is the irresistible attraction to alcohol, drugs, entertainment, reckless sexual encounters, or activities that cause harm to self or others just to escape these feelings or get comfort even, if superficial or fleeting.

Real meaning can only be reached through logic and scientifically sound reasoning, a personal and individually driven exercise. This book uses dialogue that critically examines the nature of self, of theism, and of our physical reality to guide the reader to achieve that objective for themselves or to guide someone in their charge to do so.

It does not offer ten easy answers or twelve rules to follow. It will, instead, dissect science, philosophy, and theology to reach a logical revelation of human existence in a world of perpetual change, showing that we are more than a composite of flesh slated only to survive but a real, though invisible existence, the soul, with a mandate to grow to be the best we can be.

In 1979, while practicing as a family physician in Toronto, a referendum in Quebec changed my life. In panic, a large number of established businesses moved their head offices from Montreal to Toronto. My practice was suddenly filled with new patients who showed serious emotional distress and physical diseases that had no specific aetiology. I started a private research project to determine how to treat these patients without resorting to symptomatic medications. I have since spent the past forty years working with people from all walks of life, from drug addicts to stressed executives, disenchanted physicians and disillusioned pastors. I have guided the majority of those I have seen to a positive and meaningful understanding of life as a font of perpetual and unpredictable change we are required to examine, analyse and understand. Our job is to use these challenges as opportunities to build self, not as obstacles that deplete us.

Customer Reviews

5.0

3 reviews

Helder Pacheco

It is very nice when you read a book that makes you think beyond the obvious. Albert offers us this gift of reflecting more deeply about an important topic for us, our family and our society.
Wembs

A Meaningful Life explores questions such as “why do we live?” “what is our purpose?” and, ultimately, how can we live a meaningful life in a complex, ever changing world. The book is structured as a conversation between two friends, a theologian and a doctor, which makes for an engaging and at times humorous exploration into philosophy, religion and science. I have only read the first three chapters of the book and will leave another review once I have read the entire book, so this is a preliminary review. My impression thus far is that, as human beings, we differ from other sentient beings in our ability to reason and it is our ability to reason that can help us to rise above our limbic system responses that keep us in a cycle of reaction. It is through our power of reason that we can cultivate the foundation and focus to create a path toward living a truly meaningful life. This is ultimately a hopeful book that explores the human ability to rise to great challenges and overcome the many obstacles our world and society present.
Sam Tsang

Albert de Goias' A Meaningful Life offers readers a compelling and intellectually rigorous exploration of how to live with purpose in an often tumultuous world. Through careful examination of self, theism, and our physical reality, he encourages readers to confront the deeper questions of existence, pushing them beyond the conventional answers that are so often offered by society. The book strikes a balance between philosophical depth and practical relevance. De Goias rejects the notion that purpose can be boiled down to simple rules or easy steps. Instead, he argues that true meaning arises from personal exploration and the disciplined application of logic. For de Goias, the search for meaning is an individual journey, and it is through this process of self-discovery, guided by thoughtful reasoning, that one can weather life’s inevitable storms with resilience. De Goias taps into the existential void that many individuals, especially today’s youth, often experience—feelings of uncertainty, fear, and a pervasive sense of meaninglessness. In contrast to the fleeting comforts of escapism, he presents a path forward rooted in logic, critical thought, and philosophical engagement. As Friedrich Nietzsche famously stated, “If we have our own why in life, we shall get along with almost any how,” and de Goias’ book serves as a guide to helping readers find their own "why." This is not a book about quick fixes or transient solutions. It doesn’t promise happiness or success through superficial methods. Rather, it provides a framework for understanding human existence, showing that we are more than mere creatures of survival. We are beings with a deeper, invisible essence—the soul—that carries the potential for growth and transformation. For anyone looking to understand the nature of meaning in a world that often seems devoid of it, A Meaningful Life is a must-read. It challenges the reader to confront difficult truths, while also offering the guidance to rise above them. De Goias’ emphasis on the importance of reasoned thought, self-awareness, and personal accountability creates a powerful narrative that resonates deeply with those seeking a life of purpose beyond the noise of modern distractions.