Is it possible for us to create a purpose?

[Parsimony]

I mean that which we believe or understand to be good (regardless of what form it may take).

Alright, thanks for clearing that up.

 

[McBell]

The atheist could, but the bottom line remains the same: It is not possible for us to create a purpose without acting on some higher purpose (which we ourselves did not create).

Yet again you make this bold empty claim.
Are you ever going to support it or are you content with your credibility taking yet another hit?

 

[Gambit]

Well, since we evolved a survival instinct and an instinct to multiply our purpose is obviously to survive and perpetuate the species.

I will take you above response to mean that you agree with me. That is, you believe that it is not possible for us to create a purpose without acting on some higher purpose (which we ourselves did not create).

 

[George-ananda]

It is not possible for us to create a purpose without acting on some higher purpose (which we ourselves did not create).

Much of your audience (including myself) is just not getting this point.

 

[Parsimony]

Much of your audience (including myself) is just not getting this point.

I have that same problem. I don't know if it's just me, but the majority of his "X entails Y" arguments don't make much sense to me.

 

[RRex]

It is not possible for us to create a purpose without acting on some higher purpose (which we ourselves did not create).

And your source for this statement is . . . ?

Manipulation of the people around us for purposes of self-interest - to get money, to get a woman, etc. - serves a higher purpose?

 

[Gambit]

Evolution gave you the survival instinct and the instinct to procreate. You just followed your instincts.

Merriam-Webster defines "instinct" generally as "a way of behaving, thinking, or feeling that is not learned : a natural desire or tendency that makes you want to act in a particular way." It defines the term specifically as "a largely inheritable and unalterable tendency of an organism to make a complex and specific response to environmental stimuli without involving reason" and as "behavior that is mediated by reactions below the conscious level."

Question: Do all instincts involve "thinking" and/or "feeling?"

 

[Pudding]

It's another thread to sharing the beliefs that "without my God A/B/C...etc, there's no purpose for everyone's life"...

 

[leibowde84]

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

Of course it is. We create our own reality through our experience/perception. Purpose isn't any different.

 

[Gambit]

I agree that we should all seek for things to be used for good and that is most likely our purpose in life, to look out for the good of the species, but it's not because God wants us to. We're intrinsically good on our own.

So, it appears that you agree with me. That is, you agree that it is not possible for us to create a purpose without acting on some higher purpose (which we ourselves did not create).

 

[Gambit]

Says you.

Yes, I am saying the intention to create a purpose requires a higher purpose in order to account for the intention. And you're not saying anything to refute that argument.

 

[Gambit]

You keep repeating this mantra but have not shown it to be true.

This does not qualify as any sort of counterargument.

 

[McBell]

This does not qualify as any sort of counterargument.

Are you going to support your claim?
I mean, I understand that the vast majority of your posts here on RF requires your mantra to be true.
I find it rather interesting that you have no inclination to present evidence to support your mantra.
Even more interesting is how you completely ignore any and all requests that you support the claim.

What are you afraid of?

 

[McBell]

This does not qualify as any sort of counterargument.

I am not presenting a counter argument.
Why?
Because no counter argument is needed if you cannot support your claim.
Without you supporting your claim it can be dismissed as a bold empty claim.

So far, that is all you got.
No counter argument required

 

[Willamena]

What would be the purpose of the manipulation?

Money. ...which is also a higher purpose.

 

[RRex]

Self-interest - greed, lust, etc.

What is the higher purpose?


Willamena, I edited. You may want to take back your Like.

 

[Willamena]

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.

The same argument is put forth by those claiming man does everything in his own self-interest. Self-interest is the higher purpose in that argument. The trouble with both the good and self-interest arguments is that purpose is assigned. Given some thought, the same argument can be made with other assigned variables.

 

[Deathbydefault]

Yes, I am saying the intention to create a purpose requires a higher purpose in order to account for the intention. And you're not saying anything to refute that argument.

You didn't provide any evidence to present it, just another of you r assertions.
Read my signature.

 

[SpeaksForTheTrees]

Collective purpose as part of an evolutionary chain however the world does not miss the Venetians an if your no really sure can always just bend it like Einstein .

 

[Covellite]

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

It is possible, but quite unlikely to happen.