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Post by keyodie on Sept 10, 2008 17:22:02 GMT -5
So, I thought it was strange that we do not yet have a meaning of life thread. But now we do. Isn't that swell?
We already have a "Life" thread, but that thread is more of a general speculation thread. I figured we should have a more organized discussion on, more specifically, the meaning or purpose of life. So, post what you believe here, and hopefully it'll turn into a civil, substantial discussion.
When it comes to the meaning of life, I have fairly atheistic views. I think it's possible that this world could have been created by an accident or a freak event. I also think that maybe something or someone created this world and either left it, or is still around somehow. (I tend to not believe in the last, but it's still possible.) I don't think life itself really has meaning, and even if it did, how would it be relevant? Life is whatever we ourselves make it out to be. You choose your own purpose, you choose your own destiny. I don't think that we have to know the meaning of life for life to be meaningful.
As for the purpose, in my opinion, happiness is the purpose of life. Most everything we do is dominated by the desire to be happy. Why do we go to school? We go to school in order to go to college, we go to college in order to be able to get a job (usually a job that is interesting to us), and we get a job so that we can afford our wants and needs. Even when we have to make sacrifices, even when we make mistakes, it is all in the desire to be happy.
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Post by pansy on Sept 14, 2008 9:46:19 GMT -5
I'd like to think that some higher power created us and has a purpose for us, but as for me, I find it rather hard to believe. It would be nice, but also, I think it would suck to know for sure. I mean, I like to think that I'm in control of my own destiny, so why would I want to find out that 'Oh hey guess what, there's someone up there pulling all your strings! You're just a puppet dancing about for His/Her amusement!'. So that's my view on... that. =P
I agree with you when you say "I don't think that we have to know the meaning of life for life to be meaningful." Life is only meaningful if we make it out to be. That's why, however this planet was created, it doesn't matter, because it's here. People should quit pouring so much time into finding out about how we started, and start worrying about how we're going to keep this thing going so it doesn't end. I mean, there are so many environmental factors playing into the destruction of this world... Ugh.. It's sickening, really.
I think the purpose in life is to be happy, I agree. But I think it is also to make sure that this planet stays in existence. Not just for the animals/humans/plants that reside here, but because it is such a seemingly unique place. People preserve our rainforests because they're threatened. Why can't they see the Earth as the same? The Earth is endangered, and people need to start moving to protect it!
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Post by ladytera on Sept 21, 2008 2:20:58 GMT -5
Hi Keyodie! Can I come play too? I hope so, if not you can ask Ammy to delete me (or at least my post). I kind of have a funny outlook on the meaning of life. I don't think there is one. I think there are billions. I think each of us was created with a special set of qualities that allow us to fulfill a specific purpose. But I don't think there's just one purpose for each of us either. I think we have a purpose to each and every moment of our lives, and we probably don't fulfill even half of them. I don't think that means we're puppets on strings though. I just think that means we're here for a bunch of reasons, and we either chose to find those reasons and fulfill them, or we don't. As to the ultimate purpose, or the ultimate reason, I'd have to say it is always to be the best we can be at any given moment in our lives. The funniest part about that is the we will always ultimately fail in that purpose. But I think the point is in the doing our best to be our best, not necessarily our succeeding at it every time. Hope that makes a little sense. If not, well, ask and existential question, get and existential answer.
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Post by keyodie on Sept 24, 2008 21:09:55 GMT -5
Haha, of course! That is pretty much what I think. It doesn't matter if there's no meaning, it's your life. Do what you want with it.
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dark
Student
Woah.
Posts: 16
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Post by dark on Sept 30, 2008 18:49:00 GMT -5
As to the ultimate purpose, or the ultimate reason, I'd have to say it is always to be the best we can be at any given moment in our lives. The funniest part about that is the we will always ultimately fail in that purpose. But I think the point is in the doing our best to be our best, not necessarily our succeeding at it every time. I knew there was going to be something we would agree on! Except for the last bit. I believe that we can be the best sometimes, I know sometimes, on a clear, calm day, I can go to school, get 100% in everything, make lots of people smile, do things without complaining, hold doors for people, feed the scragly looking bird that lives near the school the last of my lunch. I know I can make that one person feel better, I know I can go home and be the best daughter in the whole entire world. And I know I can have a good sleep. I believe that is living up to my potential, and a whole hell of a lot of work as well. Obviousely we won't be perfect 100% of the time. But trying your hardest is what counts. I also believe that the meaning of life is indeed happiness, and to live this life. I believe that this is our only life, so we have to live it to it's fullest.
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Rhovanion
Apprentice
La Danse Macabre
Posts: 53
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Post by Rhovanion on Oct 5, 2008 16:51:22 GMT -5
What is the meaning of life? 42 if you ask Douglas Adams
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chiefgibson
Apprentice
I am Jack's smirking revenge.
Posts: 84
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Post by chiefgibson on Nov 6, 2008 15:10:08 GMT -5
Unfortunately for most of us, the little scientist in all of us is always wanting a more simplified answer. Hes always playing with his test tubes and looking into his microscope trying to find a more simplistic unified theory. However I do not think there is one. We as a society have always wanted to know why we are here. Is it the will of god? Is it so that we may live, be happy, and make others happy? Is it to fornicate? Well myself, I have a tendency to listen to the words of the all mighty Agent Smith
"I'd like to share a revelation that I've had during my time here. It came to me when I tried to classify your species. I realized that you're not actually mammals. Every mammal on this planet instinctively develops a natural equilibrium with the surrounding environment, but you humans do not. You move to an area, and you multiply, and multiply, until every natural resource is consumed. The only way you can survive is to spread to another area. There is another organism on this planet that follows the same pattern. A virus. Human beings are a disease, a cancer of this planet, you are a plague, and we are the cure."-- Agent Smith "The Matrix"
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