Is it possible for us to create a purpose?

[Gambit]

The above point is the one I am not clear on. A classic atheist response would be; why can't a person create a purpose just using the consciousness in his brain? Why does that require a higher purpose?

Because the intention to create a purpose requires a higher purpose in order to account for the intention.

 

[Gambit]

I'd say it is much more difficult not to create a purpose.

All creative acts (including the act to create a purpose) are purpose driven. If you deny that, then you deny your capacity , not only to create a purpose, but also to create anything.

 

[Willamena]

Many atheists are inclined to argue that the only purpose we have is that which we create for ourselves. But creating a purpose qualifies as a purpose in and of itself. IOW, whatever is driving the atheist to create a purpose is itself a purpose which the atheist him- or herself did not create.

Question: Is it possible for us to create a purpose without acting on some higher purpose (which we ourselves did not create)?

"The good is what all desire." - St. Thomas Aquinas

"Purpose" is not quite the same idea as "intention." What we intend is the result of design: we anticipate, predict, and then manipulate to construct things or make things happen. Intention is not a force but a recognition that we should play a part in resolving a need. We could also choose to abstain.

A purpose, on the other hand, is assigned. In the above example, we might find purpose in the role we can play to resolve a need. Purpose or reason is a type of explanation intended to make sense of the willful or active role in the outcome.

It is entirely a simple thing (and, yes, possible) for us to assign purpose to any part of a description of activity. It possibly has to do with latent beliefs in animism, but in any case the act comes first and then the purpose.

 

[Jumi]

Because the intention to create a purpose requires a higher purpose in order to account for the intention.

It doesn't.

 

[Gambit]

People create all kinds of purposes for themselves, many of which are not related to religion.

Any purpose we may create for ourselves are subordinated to a higher purpose, namely, the purpose to seek the good.

 

[ArtieE]

Also if having a purpose requires a higher purpose to exist then wouldn't lack of purpose require there being a higher lack of purpose.

I don't see why having a purpose requires a higher purpose to exist. Example?

 

[Gambit]

Obviously.

Obviously not. It not possible to create a purpose for ourselves without acting on some higher purpose.

 

[Jumi]

I don't see why having a purpose requires a higher purpose to exist. Example?

I don't either. It seems like something the OP strongly believes in.

 

[Gambit]

Is this a trick question?

It's a straightforward question.

 

[Gambit]

Of course we can and have.

Of course we can't, because the intention to create a purpose requires a higher purpose in order to give an intelligent account for the intention.

 

[ArtieE]

Obviously not. It not possible to create a purpose for ourselves without acting on some higher purpose.

Examples?

 

[Gambit]

Frankly, if someone's having trouble with creating such a purpose for themselves, that's a very worrying sign that said person could be suffering from depression and should seek help. I speak from experience.

Frankly, it is not possible to give an intelligent account of the intention to create a purpose without invoking some higher purpose.

 

[Jumi]

Of course we can't, because the intention to create a purpose requires a higher purpose in order to give an intelligent account for the intention.

Based on what?

 

[ArtieE]

Of course we can't, because the intention to create a purpose requires a higher purpose in order to give an intelligent account for the intention.

Examples?

 

[LuisDantas]

Obviously not. It not possible to create a purpose for ourselves without acting on some higher purpose.

So... we who do just that are... beyond your understanding... or something?

 

[SkepticThinker]

Frankly, it is not possible to give an intelligent account of the intention to create a purpose without invoking some higher purpose.

Why?

 

[Jumi]

Frankly, it is not possible to give an intelligent account of the intention to create a purpose without invoking some higher purpose.

So people leaving lives without purpose need to invoke higher lack of purpose?

 

[Gambit]

I would like to have a porpoise in my life, but my bath isn't big enough.

Lame attempts at humor are not appreciated on my threads.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

If doing X would serve no purpose why would we do it? I think we would need specific examples here.

Is there a way of having a higher purpose for driving to the store if I had no purpose/reason to do so, say buying food?

I mean, we can still go to the store without a purpose. When I meditate, I find it better to go without a purpose. Keeps my mind in a blank slate. Obviously, we can't do that off our cushions.

 

[Gambit]

So you see... my "purpose" has changed/shifted over the course of my life. From not having one at all (and not caring one lick that I didn't) to having what I deem the greatest purpose one can achieve - giving yourself in service to another out of pure, unadulterated love. Who "gave" me this/these purposes? I did. I did.

As I see it. every purpose you believe you have created during the course of your life was subordinated to a higher purpose, namely, the purpose to seek the good. This is so self-evident that it hardly needs to be stated.