For life, as well as for anything, a general logical rule must be followed: the goal comprehending the given thing is not in itself, but outside of it.

For example: the goal that comprehends any scientific research is not in itself, not in the research for the sake of the research, but in the truths that are discovered by this research. The goal that comprehends teaching is not in itself, but outside of it, in its results. The goal that comprehends any work is not in itself, but outside of it, in its results. They may consist either in some transformation we make in things, or in the mere elimination of boredom by doing this work; but in either case the goal that comprehends our work is not in itself, but outside of it.

In the same way, if any part of our organism - the eye, the ear, etc. - has a rationale for existence, it depends on a realisation of a purpose that is not in them, but outside them. The existence of the eye has a purpose in order that we can see, that is, in the fulfilment of such a purpose which is outside the eye. In exactly the same way every building, every part of a machine, etc., is comprehended through the realisation of such a purpose which lies outside the given building or outside the given part of the machine. Hundreds of such examples could be given. But there is no need to do so: for the thought which is confirmed by them is already clear and self-evident. It is only necessary to enter into the meaning of the word "mean". A mean is that which leads to something other than itself; and this other is relative to it and is called its purpose. Therefore, if anything, including life, serves or should serve as a means to some end, that is, if it has a meaning, then this end is not in it, but outside it. So, one of two things: either human life has exactly no meaning, or its meaning consists in its purpose and actual suitability for the realisation of such a purpose, which lies beyond human life. А. Vvedensky

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