What’s in a meaning? Something instrumental, and therefore fit to the circumstance of its usage, that’s what. Does that make meanings powerless, because they can be acquired and need interpretation? Not at all.
Take brand logos …
In a magazine ad., the symbol above is meant to represent sporty sedans from Bavaria.
On the streets of Scottsdale, it says, “I might be a dick.”
In the showroom this symbol indicates a luxury German car.
On the streets of Scottsdale, it means, “I am a dick”.
Again, parked in the dealer’s lot, this logo stands for British all-terrain vehicles.
On the road in Scottsdale: “I have devoted my life to proving that there are worse things than being a dick.”
All of the above meanings carry plenty of weight. They are all circumstantial, too. People have no worries about that state of affairs, until they begin to talk about the meaning of our existence.
But, does talk about existence itself having meaning, make any sense? Is existence in itself, for something? For example, would it make sense to say that God’s existence, or a hydrogen atom’s, carries an independent meaning?
It is an absurdity. It simply does not apply.
Dedicated to the Game 