Is it possible for us to create a purpose?

[Gambit]

The definition of purpose is "the reason for which something is done or created". The ultimate purpose for creating the sandwich is survival and you didn't create that purpose, you didn't create your own survival instinct. Another purpose for creating the sandwich is to stop feeling hungry, and you didn't consciously create your own hunger either... what purpose did you create?

Agreed.

 

[Gambit]

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.

No, a lack of purpose would indicate some kind of damage to one's rational capacity.

 

[Gambit]

"Purpose" is not quite the same idea as "intention."

Merriam-Webster defines "intention" as "the thing that you plan to do or achieve : an aim or purpose."

 

[Gambit]

It doesn't.

That doesn't refute my argument. You might want to try again.

 

[Gambit]

Examples?

What purposes do you believe you create that can't be subsumed under the higher purpose of seeking the good?

 

[McBell]

That doesn't refute my argument. You might want to try again.

No refute needed for your bold empty claim.

 

[Aupmanyav]

What is higher purpose and the lower purpose?

 

[Shadow Wolf]

You're desiring the good.

How do you define this "good?" What is it?

 

[Gambit]

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

I understand that everyone is seeking the good as I am. But apparently you don't understand that.

 

[Gambit]

Why?

I just explained why. I suggest next time you actually make the effort to read my post before you attempt to respond to it.

 

[McBell]

I just explained why. I suggest next time you actually make the effort to read my post before you attempt to respond to it.

Hells bells, I am still waiting for you to elevate your mantra to an argument...

 

[ArtieE]

Might I ask -

Perhaps we need a meatier definition of higher purpose.

To me, it implies the involvement of a higher power.

Am I wrong?

If you're hungry you eat to stop feeling hungry but eating also serves the "higher" purpose of surviving. There it stops. Our survival and need to produce offspring doesn't serve a "higher" purpose. It's just how we evolved.

 

[Unveiled Artist]

You're desiring the good. That's the higher purpose under which all the other purposes you believe you create for yourself are subsumed.

Instead of higher (which makes me think metaphysical talk), one can say our priority in life to which all other actions and purposes fall under.

 

[arthra]

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

Yes I think there are ample opportunities today to work together to accomplish many purposes on the local level where we live... from consulting with local government to seeing that people in need can receive ample services to educating the public but you see the general purposes is also being fulfilled when we act locally...

 

[Jumi]

That doesn't refute my argument. You might want to try again.

Try what? You haven't provided any reason to think you're right or even a discussion why you think you're right.

 

[Jumi]

If you're hungry you eat to stop feeling hungry but eating also serves the "higher" purpose of surviving. There it stops. Our survival and need to produce offspring doesn't serve a "higher" purpose. It's just how we evolved.

Maybe he's arguing that survival is a higher purpose and good.

 

[Jumi]

No, a lack of purpose would indicate some kind of damage to one's rational capacity.

Are you willing to try prove your assertion?

 

[LuisDantas]

I understand that everyone is seeking the good as I am. But apparently you don't understand that.

I do not think I am seeking the good as you are. I certainly feel no need for convincing others that they need to believe in a creator God that is the one possible source for purposes and morality.

Do I understand that? No, not really.

 

[The Neo Nerd]

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

I have pondered this and the only answer i can come up with is "The purpose of life is to find purpose".

 

[Gambit]

It is impossible to ignore that it is neither self-evident nor something that you lack a need to state. Hence this thread.

For a Buddhist, nothing is self-evident because the Buddhist believes there is no self. And since the Buddhist believes there is no self, then the he or she cannot rationally justify a belief that we create our own purpose because there is no "we."