Of course, the fact that most people are happy does not in itself refute nihilists, who could argue
that the common pursuit of enjoyment is no more convincing than is the prevalent endorsement of
dualism. Perhaps only depressives have an accurate view of the worthlessness of life. But the
discussion to come of how love, work, and play furnish meaning by contributing to vital human needs
will show that happy people are not delusional.
Historically, the main alternative to nihilism has been the theological view that God created the
universe and established a purpose for it. In fact, people who are religious are on average happier
than those who are not. But I argued in chapter 2 that there is no evidence for the existence of a deity
who could make life meaningful, so we must look elsewhere. Contrary to Meursault's magistrate, the
abandonment of theology does not imply nihilism without a thorough search for other sources of
significance. Few people, fortunately, have Meursault's emotional incapacity, and we can reject
Camus' suggestion that everyone's life is as absurd as that of his main character. Perhaps the meaning
of life is just happiness.