What is the meaning of life? What is the purpose of existence?

[Sunstone]

If you want to talk about being uncharitable, then let's talk about your initial post on this thread. You stated: "I suspect that most of us super apes who ask what the meaning of life is do so because we do not feel intensely alive. If we felt genuinely alive, the meaning of it all wouldn't interest us."

The implication is fairly clear; Anyone who questions the meaning of life needs to get a life. And since I am the one who created this thread, I take that slight personally.

If you see yourself reflected in a mirror, don't blame the mirror for how you look to yourself.

 

[Gambit]

You are here to learn all that you can before you die.

Does my "learning" serve some ultimate purpose?

 

[Gambit]

Whatever the purpose is, what is its purpose?

Are you asking me what is the purpose of purpose?

 

[dust1n]

So, you believe we live in a meaningless, purposeless world?

Basically.

 

[Gambit]

There is no objective meaning to it: it is up to the individual to define/decide if there is any meaning in existence.

I don't understand this response. Do you believe that you are endowed with some God-like power? That you can draw everything to some final end?

 

[Gambit]

To have your genes gain access to the gene pool of future generations.

So, you believe evolution is purpose-driven?

 

[Gambit]

The purpose is charity, hospitality, and the will of God. The meaning behind it is redemption.

What's the will of God?

 

[Sapiens]

So, you believe evolution is purpose-driven?

That's the rules of the game ... if you want that to be a "purpose" who am I to stop you?

 

[LegionOnomaMoi]

Perhaps, I should have said "problematic," rather than "contradictory." If life has no meaning (no purpose, no telos, no final cause), then how is it possible for you to give it one?

I would argue that it isn't. It seemed to me that you were arguing that it must, but now it appears we agree (no?)

 

[Gambit]

Everything. It started with my parents. I will have to let go of my children. Some day I will have to release my grip on this life.

What about "embracing?

 

[Gambit]

It means whatever you choose it to mean. Its purpose is whatever you decide it should be.

So, you believe you can give existence a purpose?

 

[Gambit]

Life as no literal "meaning" but it does have a direction.
The Prime Imperative of life -
1. Survive
2. Breed
3. Contribute
4. Die

I'm asking about life as a whole, not a particular life.

 

[Gambit]

If you see yourself reflected in a mirror, don't blame the mirror for how you look to yourself.

You should heed your own advice.

 

[Gambit]

To live in accordance with the will of God so that we may know him in eternity.

But that presupposes a silly thing called theism.

What is the will of God?

 

[Aupmanyav]

The Prime Imperatives of life - 1. Survive 2. Breed 3. Contribute 4. Die

A small correction. The Prime Imperatives of life - 1. Survive 2. Breed 3. Raise 4. Die. Contributions do not matter in the grand scheme of things.

 

[Gambit]

Our lives can have whatever meaning and purpose we choose, it is something that is not imposed upon us externally - but something that we can explore and define for ourselves.

"Man is free to do what he wills, but he cannot will what he wills" - Arthur Schopenhauer

 

[Gambit]

To my mind, saying that 'there is no meaning or purpose beyond what we define for ourselves' seems an unnecessary reduction. What greater purpose or meaning could there be than to truly explore and define these important qualities yourself?

Did you ever consider the possibility that there might be a greater mind than yours?

 

[LuisDantas]

Does my "learning" serve some ultimate purpose?

If you want to / choose to make it so / perceive the possibilities in that way.

Because learning in this life open the opportunity to sharing and teaching with others that will survive us and hopefully pass the good effort along.

In that way, and IMO in that way alone, humanity is immortal.

 

[LuisDantas]

I find this to be inherently contradictory. The idea that there is no meaning to life beyond what we give it presupposes a purpose in and of itself.

How so?

 

[LuisDantas]

Perhaps, I should have said "problematic," rather than "contradictory." If life has no meaning (no purpose, no telos, no final cause), then how is it possible for you to give it one?

Because there is available room, it seems.