Philosoft

I have too little time and there are far too many things that give me immediate happiness for me to stop and worry about the potentialities of 50 years from now.

Clarice

What's the point of eating a hot fudge sundae? What's the cosmic, phenomenal importance of seeing a Jackie Chan movie? Isn't pleasure enough of a point?

As for reincarnation, I thought it was a nifty idea, until I thought about it more. If "you" are reincarnated with a different personality, different identity, and absolutely no memory of your previous existence, can it really be said that *you* survive in any useful sense? I do kind of like the idea that my molecules will continue to exist in different forms after I die, but I don't expect my consciousness to endure in any way. But if your consciousness isn't supposed to endure in reincarnation either, what's the big difference?

One of the last sane

Firstly, if you pass on your DNA you have fulfilled your biological purpose. So once you've had your 2.4 kids, or 2.6 kids, or whatever, you're biologically obsolete anyway.

Secondly, human beings can aspire to more than that, they can also do things to 'leave the world a better place' by contributing to mankind. We may not all write masterpieces or symphonies, but we can all do little things like teaching kids how to play sport, or listening to someone who needs to talk, or planting a nice shade tree that will give someone pleasure long after we are dead.

I've talked to atheists in their 70's and 80's who were very content to have lived and loved and waiting calmly to peg out. Why not?

Maverick

This thread probably belongs in either Non-Abrahamic Religion or Misc Religion Discussion.

I am going to send it to MRD for its larger audience.

Maverick - SL&S Moderator

tronvillain

Well, dying sounds unpleasant, but I find it difficult to be afraid of death since by definition it is not a state I can imagine. As for meaning, my life is pointless - it just doesn't bother me. I simply live life and try to enjoy it.

rebelnerd

I've thought about this one since I was a child (I'm most likely not alone here!) And it used to give me some consternation. I finally realized that no matter how much I worried about it the fact would not change, so I quit getting worried about it and started to enjoy life.

As for how I give my life meaning, if I wake up in the morning, it has meaning. Yes, I know that's a flippant response, but I really feel that way. I try to enjoy life as much as situations will allow, and I also remind myself to stop and smell the roses.


Filo

[ June 13, 2002: Message edited by: Filo Quiggens ]</p>

ex-idaho

being self aware is the curse of higher brain function. Other creatures do not suffer this. They are unaware that they are alive and will someday die. They are content to live for the moment with only 2 priorities in life, eat, reproduce. If it were only that simple for us.

Honestly the only purpose of any life is to perpetuate the species. There is no higher purpose than that. Insure that your genetic material is passed on to future offspring of your species. In a sense it is a form of eternal life. Certain characteristics will live beyond your death.

Of course I am screwed in this department seeing as I despise children and never wish to have any. Of course for some reason they adore me.

MadMordigan

Eat drink and be merry, for tomorrow we may die.
Work like hell, for tomorrow we may not.

Choy Lee Mu

Hmnn. . .

Here's how I did it:

I accept ther fact that I will not survive this human existence and I try to make it as exciting as I can.

I have had 5 children. They all are almost embarrasingly smart. If I die tomorrow, I leave that legacy at least.

I am a nice person (not because I believe in a transcendent morality, etc., but because it makes me feel good to be one. Contrary to theistic thought, I believe that self interest is the only honest emotion - and I accept that. That is not to say that I am a selfish person, but rather that I acknowledge the fact that all happiness comes from self interest. What the fuck is wrong with being human, I ask you? )

The fact that I know that when I kick off, I will not be around to second-guess myself. There's a great peacefullness in this realization. No "what ifs?" or "I screwed up!" Just eternal sleep. Maybe I can finally catch up.

-Choy Lee Mu

echidna

VoF, really, whatever one’s worldview, death is our greatest unknown. I see no extra bravery from theists or from atheists when it comes to fear of death. There is courage, defiance and cold clammy dread on both sides. Hardly surprising when evolution has quite probably gifted us with an innate fear of death. There are very few who won’t resist death when it comes time.

Whatever our view of an afterlife (including its non-existence of course), we will lose the worldy existence we enjoy today, our day to day lives and loves & they will be replaced by something else. And I will miss today.

Personally I’m quite devoutly agnostic & I’d rather my life today could continue indefinitely the way it is. That said, I’m not growing younger and I’ll trust to the benign indifference of the universe that death won’t be a bad thing in itself. It gives me more impetus to live more fully.