Freethought & Rationalism Archive

cheetah · 03-09-2003, 10:20 PM

Do you all ever get tired of this question? I really do. I am reading a stupid novel right now that kind of centers on the importance of a meaning to life and how sad it is for people that go through life with no meaning. I am just grossed out by that. I have been described as a bitch or cold-hearted many times, so is it just me, or are people overly-whiny when they want a purpose to life? To me life is it's own purpose and it does not need any other purpose to exist. You make up your own goals which then become your purpose and if you have lived your life in line with these goals, that's all that matters, right?

So, what is it about humans that makes them require a purpose other than their own internal motivation? Why is it so scary to some to think there is no higher power that made some "rules" for them? Is it biological or is it a social phenomenon created out of some "higher awareness" and guru psychology of the last 4 or so decades? Do you feel there ought to be a purpose (external to your own formulated purpose(s)) to life in general and if so, what made you feel that way?

To answer my own question, I don't feel it is biological. I feel it is one of those things that we, as a western society in which some people have time on their hands to consider all sorts of things, came up with to talk about. One of those things that hit home with people. Especially people, IMO, who didn't properly chart their own goals and purposes and maybe that's why they feel some emptiness in their life. I'm just tired of being condescended to and treated as if my own goals and purposes are superficial and meaningless because I made them up myself.

This is also my first time to post in this forum! I hope this is an ok topic. It did develop out of a frustration of mine, but I do still think it is a philosophical/psychological question about the human condition.

Mav · 03-10-2003, 12:21 AM

I think George Carlin said it best: What?, the meaning of life.........Not Dieing!

If there was one common goal that the human race was working towards, then you could
apply your time towards helping reach this goal. If there was such a goal, then you could say
that you did a part in helping to reach it.
The one word that I can think of that may ease your mind is the one thing that all humans have
that drives them forward: Explore. We live to learn, explore, and understand what we do
not yet know. Once we reach that goal, we move on and explore some thing else. It never
ends.

Mav

Theli · 03-10-2003, 01:46 AM

It seems to me that most people want their purpose handed to them on a silverplate. And they are very prejudice towards other people's purpose.

I think purpose is largelly overrated anyway.

mikester · 03-10-2003, 05:01 PM

maybe the meaning of life is to question it.

philechat · 03-10-2003, 06:31 PM

"There is one important philosophical question, and it is committing suicide."~Albert Camus

Okay, enough. One could deduce a tautological stance for this question: The purpose of life is to live. If they can't handle subjectivity on the question of purpose, let them have religion.

Answerer · 03-10-2003, 08:15 PM

Well, we are not given a choice to be born or not, aren't we?

markstake · 03-10-2003, 09:31 PM

As a child, somewhere in my pre-teen years, I was aware of deep philosophical conversations about the meaning of life that seemed to constantly plague "grown-ups."

At the time I knew, with a certainty, what the purpose of life was. I had no doubt in my mind, and didn't understand why grown-ups couldn't see what was so plainly obvious.

"The purpose of life," I thought to myself, "is to have fun."

And I did.

I miss that in myself. I want it back.

mikester · 03-10-2003, 09:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by markstake
As a child, somewhere in my pre-teen years, I was aware of deep philosophical conversations about the meaning of life that seemed to constantly plague "grown-ups."

At the time I knew, with a certainty, what the purpose of life was. I had no doubt in my mind, and didn't understand why grown-ups couldn't see what was so plainly obvious.

"The purpose of life," I thought to myself, "is to have fun."

And I did.

I miss that in myself. I want it back.

totally agree. i wish i still had that innocent idealism from my younger years.

but, its a good philosophy to follow. living for fun or amusement means a life worth living.

Answerer · 03-10-2003, 11:26 PM

Let me modify a bit, " To be happy without hurting others".

CavemanUg · 03-11-2003, 12:05 AM

I dont know what it is, but I know what it isn't.
The point of life is NOT unhappieness.

03-09-2003, 10:20 PM	#1
cheetah Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 2,118	What is the meaning of life? Do you all ever get tired of this question? I really do. I am reading a stupid novel right now that kind of centers on the importance of a meaning to life and how sad it is for people that go through life with no meaning. I am just grossed out by that. I have been described as a bitch or cold-hearted many times, so is it just me, or are people overly-whiny when they want a purpose to life? To me life is it's own purpose and it does not need any other purpose to exist. You make up your own goals which then become your purpose and if you have lived your life in line with these goals, that's all that matters, right? So, what is it about humans that makes them require a purpose other than their own internal motivation? Why is it so scary to some to think there is no higher power that made some "rules" for them? Is it biological or is it a social phenomenon created out of some "higher awareness" and guru psychology of the last 4 or so decades? Do you feel there ought to be a purpose (external to your own formulated purpose(s)) to life in general and if so, what made you feel that way? To answer my own question, I don't feel it is biological. I feel it is one of those things that we, as a western society in which some people have time on their hands to consider all sorts of things, came up with to talk about. One of those things that hit home with people. Especially people, IMO, who didn't properly chart their own goals and purposes and maybe that's why they feel some emptiness in their life. I'm just tired of being condescended to and treated as if my own goals and purposes are superficial and meaningless because I made them up myself. This is also my first time to post in this forum! I hope this is an ok topic. It did develop out of a frustration of mine, but I do still think it is a philosophical/psychological question about the human condition.

03-10-2003, 12:21 AM	#2
Mav Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: a house Posts: 582	Meaning of Life? I think George Carlin said it best: What?, the meaning of life.........Not Dieing! If there was one common goal that the human race was working towards, then you could apply your time towards helping reach this goal. If there was such a goal, then you could say that you did a part in helping to reach it. The one word that I can think of that may ease your mind is the one thing that all humans have that drives them forward: Explore. We live to learn, explore, and understand what we do not yet know. Once we reach that goal, we move on and explore some thing else. It never ends. Mav

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03-10-2003, 01:46 AM	#3
Theli Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Sweden Posts: 2,567	It seems to me that most people want their purpose handed to them on a silverplate. And they are very prejudice towards other people's purpose. I think purpose is largelly overrated anyway.

03-10-2003, 05:01 PM	#4
mikester Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Posts: 813	maybe the meaning of life is to question it.

03-10-2003, 06:31 PM	#5
philechat Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Mind of the Other Posts: 886	"There is one important philosophical question, and it is committing suicide."~Albert Camus Okay, enough. One could deduce a tautological stance for this question: The purpose of life is to live. If they can't handle subjectivity on the question of purpose, let them have religion.

03-10-2003, 08:15 PM	#6
Answerer Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 3,956	Well, we are not given a choice to be born or not, aren't we?

03-10-2003, 09:31 PM	#7
markstake Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Iowa Posts: 42	As a child, somewhere in my pre-teen years, I was aware of deep philosophical conversations about the meaning of life that seemed to constantly plague "grown-ups." At the time I knew, with a certainty, what the purpose of life was. I had no doubt in my mind, and didn't understand why grown-ups couldn't see what was so plainly obvious. "The purpose of life," I thought to myself, "is to have fun." And I did. I miss that in myself. I want it back.

03-10-2003, 11:26 PM	#9
Answerer Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Singapore Posts: 3,956	Let me modify a bit, " To be happy without hurting others".

03-11-2003, 12:05 AM	#10
CavemanUg Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Petaluma, Ca Posts: 14	I dont know what it is, but I know what it isn't. The point of life is NOT unhappieness.

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