"Meaning of Life"

[chinu]

Meaning is experienced differently according to the individual.

and what is according to luis ?

 

[LuisDantas]

and what is according to luis ?

In my own conception, it is directly derived from the opportunities for personal interaction, communication and mutual support. Language is a far greater gift than it appears at first glance.

That we have no afterlife also plays a major role. I'm very refratary to the idea, particularly in the form of spiritist reincarnation.

 

[chinu]

Meaning of life ?
To ask this question to ourself again and again is the meaning of life.

How ?
Because asking this question again and again to ourself takes one to where there is the end of all questions, or in other words one gets unite with God.

How ?
Because when one fails again and again in searching the meaning of life, finally this turns into a true surrender, this surrender is the starting of true devotion towards God.

 

[Sunstone]

I think it was Joseph Campbell who said that when you feel truly alive, you don't ask what the meaning of your life is.

 

[chinu]

I think it was Joseph Campbell who said that when you feel truly alive, you don't ask what the meaning of your life is.

But one doesn't ever feel truely alive, its not permanent.

 

[Alceste]

I like the way you phrased your first statement because I think that points to why theists often say things like 'how can an atheist find meaning in life?'

Of course an atheist or anyone can find meaning in our lives. We each define what is meaningful in our own lives, what makes life worth living. That meaning is shaped by our experiences, our biology, our upbringing, our society.

Your statement, "Is there a meaning of life," suggests a meaning outside what we as individuals might attribute as meaning. This is a question that asks - is there more to our life, living, existence than what we ourselves define. This is the question theists are really asking when they say 'how can an atheist say life has meaning.'

To believe that life has any meaning other than the meaning we ourselves give it is a statement of faith.

Personally I believe that there is more to life than the meaning I give it, that there is a higher love.

I'm not sure whether you're saying that the only alternative you can think of to having faith in a "higher love" (by which I assume you mean the Christian god) is having faith in nothing. Would that be accurate?

I think it was Joseph Campbell who said that when you feel truly alive, you don't ask what the meaning of your life is.

That sounds about right.

Those kinds of questions only seem to occur to me when I am deeply dissatisfied. For example, when I worked in a toque factory, I often thought there should to be "more to life" than making invoices and packing slips all day. I got quite depressed about it, in fact. I finally found my lost meaning and purpose by not working in a ******* office any more. Now I am satisfied, and I never wonder if there is "more to life". I simply hope it will continue in this general vein for many years to come.

 

[LuisDantas]

But one doesn't ever feel truely alive, its not permanent.

Of course it is not permanent. Nothing is.

That in no way negates the legitimacy of feeling truly alive.

 

[lunamoth]

I'm not sure whether you're saying that the only alternative you can think of to having faith in a "higher love" (by which I assume you mean the Christian god) is having faith in nothing. Would that be accurate?

Not at all.

 

[Alceste]

Not at all.

I wasn't sure, thanks for clarifying. Apart from theism, then, what are some of the higher concepts you imagine an atheist might find faith in?

 

[lunamoth]

I wasn't sure, thanks for clarifying. Apart from theism, then, what are some of the higher concepts you imagine an atheist might find faith in?

I would not hazard a guess. Most atheists I know are content to say that life has no greater meaning outside the meaning they give it themselves.

 

[chinu]

Of course it is not permanent. Nothing is.

Something is, Luis.

That in no way negates the legitimacy of feeling truly alive.

Fear of loosing it negates the legitimacy of feeling truely alive, one can never escape from fear.

 

[LuisDantas]

Is that true for you then, Chinu? It isn't really for me.

 

[chinu]

Is that true for you then, Chinu? It isn't really for me.

What's your guess ? luis.