Necessary Text: “Why is the life of a mouse not absurd? The orbit of the moon is not absurd either, but that involves no strivings or aims at all. A mouse, however, has to work to stay alive. Yet he is not absurd, because he lacks the capacities for self-consciousness and self-transcendence that would enable him to see that he is only a mouse. If that did happen, his life would become absurd, since self-awareness would not make him cease to be a mouse and would not enable him to rise above his mousely strivings. Bringing his new-found self-consciousness with him, he would have to return to his meager yet frantic life, full of doubts that he was unable to answer, but also full of purposes that he was unable to abandon.”
Thomas Nagel, “The Absurd”

Using the above passage respond with this GUIDED BY THE QUESTION:
Does your life have meaning? Is it true that, in some sense, your life is “absurd”?

Answer in these guidelines:
Briefly situate the ideas of the passage within its wider philosophical context;
carefully explain the main ideas/argument contained in the passage itself;
discuss the philosophical significance of these ideas/argument;
discuss any particular problems that arise for them – especially mentioning any significant opposing theory/argument;
outline your own position in response to the passage and articulate your main reasons/argument.