We spend an extraordinary amount of energy in our lives chasing something that we call “meaning”: we seek out meaningful work, meaningful experiences, meaningful relationships, and we want, on the whole, to live meaningful lives. But what makes any of these things “meaningful” in the intended sense? In this class, we will explore this and related questions, focusing on how philosophy can help us articulate and understand the nature and value of meaning in life. We will also draw upon the resources of social sciences to explore the fragility of meaning in life and the traits of character that might allow us to weather crises of meaning with equanimity and grace.