xiry.

Learning · List

What is Life? (13 Thinkers)

A one-line distillation of how thirteen prominent thinkers defined life.

From the Xiry library · Updated 11 October 2026

This list condenses the core philosophies of thirteen writers, philosophers, and scientists into single-line definitions answering 'What is life?'. It offers a quick reference for juxtaposing different worldviews from figures like Nietzsche, Schopenhauer, and Einstein.

The list

What is life?

  • Dostoevsky: It's hell.
  • Socrates: It's a test.
  • Aristotle: It's the mind.
  • Nietzsche: It's power.
  • Freud: It's death.
  • Marx: It's the idea.
  • Picasso: It's art.
  • Gandhi: It's love.
  • Schopenhauer: It's suffering.
  • Bertrand Russell: It's competition.
  • Steve Jobs: It's faith.
  • Einstein: It's knowledge.
  • Stephen Hawking: It's hope.
  • Kafka: It's just the beginning.

What it's for

  • Find concise quotes or thematic hooks for writing and essays
  • Source short copy for social media posts on philosophy
  • Compare fundamental worldviews across historical thinkers

Key points

  • Covers 13 prominent philosophers, writers, and scientists
  • Ultra-condensed single-concept definitions for each thinker
  • Contrasts opposing worldviews, such as suffering versus hope

Pricing

Free

Details

Type
List
Category
Learning
Topic
Philosophy
Open source
No
Platforms
other
For
Writers, philosophy enthusiasts, and content creators
Tags
philosophy, quotes, writing, thinkers, reference

Why it was saved

  • @SchopenhauerNow, 23 October 2025: A quick, quotable distillation of each thinker's core worldview; useful as reference or copy for philosophy-themed posts.

Related

Updated