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The meaning of life

SNOWFLAKE

SNOWFLAKE

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Oft asked. Few ponder. Some do. Depends on your personal views.

You can treat this question philosophically, religiously, even politically if you wish.

But TO YOU, personally, what is the meaning of life?

Take it a step further, if you wish: What is the meaning of YOUR life?
 
SNOWFLAKE said:
Oft asked. Few ponder. Some do. Depends on your personal views.

You can treat this question philosophically, religiously, even politically if you wish.

But TO YOU, personally, what is the meaning of life?

Take it a step further, if you wish: What is the meaning of YOUR life?
Click to expand...
Ahh, 4/20.
Early start?
 
SNOWFLAKE said:
Oft asked. Few ponder. Some do. Depends on your personal views.

You can treat this question philosophically, religiously, even politically if you wish.

But TO YOU, personally, what is the meaning of life?

Take it a step further, if you wish: What is the meaning of YOUR life?
Click to expand...

The meaning of life - personally, I don't believe there is a meaning. There is just life.

Meaning of MY life - I'm no one special compared to those that dedicate their lives to a purpose over their own. The meaning my life to being a good friend, wife and mother. That's about it. Boring....I know.
 
I think Solomon summed it up nicely...in doing so we have life...

"The conclusion of the matter, everything having been heard, is: Fear the true God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole obligation of man." Ecclesiastes 12:13
 
There is no meaning of life. There is no creator, no purpose. It simply happened. We don't know why we are here. We are still trying to figure it out.

The thing to do is simply make the best of life. We only live for so long and then we die. We cease to exist. There is no definitive evidence of an afterlife, so we have to make the best of the actual life we do know about while we have the chance.

It is logical to work towards the common good in society because humans are social animals.

We are really lucky to have the lives we do. Human evolution and technological development have produced the advanced lives we enjoy, thanks to those who have come before us, so we should contribute to continued improvement for the benefit of those who will come after us. Pay it forward.

We must take care of the planet which supports us. It is important to be mindful of our environment and climate. Many will want to do this because they have children and grandchildren, etc, but even for those who don't it is wise if they wish to contribute to society.

It would be incredibly short-sided and selfish to take the attitude that the world is ours to use up; and screw succeeding humans. People before us didn't do that to us so it would be wrong for us to do that to future humans.

Be kind to yourself. Be kind to others. Be kind to our habitat. That's how a good human lives a good life.
 
Peacenik said:
There is no meaning of life. There is no creator, no purpose. It simply happened.
Click to expand...
Does there have to be a creator for there to be a meaning to life? I could say that the meaning of life is to be kind and make the world a better place as best I can. I don't need a deity for that.
Peacenik said:
We must take care of the planet which supports us. It is important to be mindful of our environment and climate. Many will want to do this because they have children and grandchildren, etc, but even for those who don't it is wise if they wish to contribute to society.
Click to expand...
There you go, no deity needed ;)
 
SNOWFLAKE said:
Does there have to be a creator for there to be a meaning to life? I could say that the meaning of life is to be kind and make the world a better place as best I can. I don't need a deity for that.

There you go, no deity needed ;)
Click to expand...

Life can have great meaning in dedication to society, but it does have to be derived from knowledge and a sense of belonging in society; coupled with a desire to pay back, pay forward, what has been received.

We do live in societies.
 
Non nobis solum nati sumus.

Translation: Not for ourselves alone are we born.
 
There are many potential answers. For me, it changes.

I suppose that we should look at the basic biological meaning of life first. My opinion : Put simply, it's to pass genes on to the next generation and survive long enough to ensure that your offspring can do the same.

However, in less biological and more philosophical terms, I'd say that one important meaning of life is achieving personal growth. You sculpt yourself while also allowing yourself to be sculpted. However, avoid getting chipped away to nothing, and try not to cut anyone else with your chisel.

I'd also say that finding inner peace is incredibly important. I am not even close, but I recognize it as a potential destination. And, of course, try to be the best person that you can be. I'd file that under personal growth, as well. I also have room to grow there.
 
Peacenik said:
There is no meaning of life. There is no creator, no purpose. It simply happened. We don't know why we are here. We are still trying to figure it out.

The thing to do is simply make the best of life. We only live for so long and then we die. We cease to exist. There is no definitive evidence of an afterlife, so we have to make the best of the actual life we do know about while we have the chance.

It is logical to work towards the common good in society because humans are social animals.

We are really lucky to have the lives we do. Human evolution and technological development have produced the advanced lives we enjoy, thanks to those who have come before us, so we should contribute to continued improvement for the benefit of those who will come after us. Pay it forward.

We must take care of the planet which supports us. It is important to be mindful of our environment and climate. Many will want to do this because they have children and grandchildren, etc, but even for those who don't it is wise if they wish to contribute to society.

It would be incredibly short-sided and selfish to take the attitude that the world is ours to use up; and screw succeeding humans. People before us didn't do that to us so it would be wrong for us to do that to future humans.

Be kind to yourself. Be kind to others. Be kind to our habitat. That's how a good human lives a good life.
Click to expand...
Agree with all except hi lighted. Good post.
 
holbritter said:
Agree with all except hi lighted. Good post.
Click to expand...
Good point. There is 'in general' and there is 'absolute.'

In general, the good outweighs the bad. Not absolutely and in every case, no. Simply in general. Generally speaking, the human condition improves over time. Not always, nor in every case. There are periods of regression involved. We seem to be in one. But overall, throughout human history, the human condition has improved. Let's support hope that remains true by doing what we can to make it so. There sure are plenty of selfish people who don't seem to observe any responsibility towards the society that supports them.

It's up to the responsible people to make up for the irresponsible ones. If everybody worked towards a better world it would be easy.
 
Helix said:
There are many potential answers. For me, it changes.

I suppose that we should look at the basic biological meaning of life first. My opinion : Put simply, it's to pass genes on to the next generation and survive long enough to ensure that your offspring can do the same.

However, in less biological and more philosophical terms, I'd say that one important meaning of life is achieving personal growth. You sculpt yourself while also allowing yourself to be sculpted. However, avoid getting chipped away to nothing, and try not to cut anyone else with your chisel.

I'd also say that finding inner peace is incredibly important. I am not even close, but I recognize it as a potential destination. And, of course, try to be the best person that you can be. I'd file that under personal growth, as well. I also have room to grow there.
Click to expand...
Our bodies are designed for pro-creation so that's 90% of the question.

Everything living is driven towards re-production, so family and offspring are paramount as to the meaning of life IMO.

Personal growth 10%.
 
gboisjo said:
Our bodies are designed for pro-creation so that's 90% of the question.

Everything living is driven towards re-production, so family and offspring are paramount as to the meaning of life IMO.

Personal growth 10%.
Click to expand...
I would argue otherwise. While biologically important, procreation only represents a small % of life's meaning to me. Most of our lives revolve around other things, and people who do not, or cannot procreate, have just as much a role to play in life's game as those who do. Not only are there many couples who never have, nor ever wanted to procreate, but their lives are no less fulfilled in their relationships - both familial, and otherwise. Personal growth might be 90%.

It takes all kinds ...
 
gboisjo said:
Our bodies are designed for pro-creation so that's 90% of the question.

Everything living is driven towards re-production, so family and offspring are paramount as to the meaning of life IMO.

Personal growth 10%.
Click to expand...
I don't discount biological motivations at all. However, "meaning of life" discussions are often more about "what am I doing and why am I here?" The philosophical angle is more than ten percent important in discussions like that.
 
SNOWFLAKE said:
Oft asked. Few ponder. Some do. Depends on your personal views.

You can treat this question philosophically, religiously, even politically if you wish.

But TO YOU, personally, what is the meaning of life?

Take it a step further, if you wish: What is the meaning of YOUR life?
Click to expand...


Please reference a book called Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

en.wikipedia.org

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

The answer is in there.

It is 47.

If you are still confused try "The Restaurant at the End of the Galaxy", but the answer is still 47, but there is more of Trillian!
 
Peacenik said:
There is no meaning of life. There is no creator, no purpose. It simply happened. We don't know why we are here. We are still trying to figure it out.

The thing to do is simply make the best of life. We only live for so long and then we die. We cease to exist. There is no definitive evidence of an afterlife, so we have to make the best of the actual life we do know about while we have the chance.

It is logical to work towards the common good in society because humans are social animals.

We are really lucky to have the lives we do. Human evolution and technological development have produced the advanced lives we enjoy, thanks to those who have come before us, so we should contribute to continued improvement for the benefit of those who will come after us. Pay it forward.

We must take care of the planet which supports us. It is important to be mindful of our environment and climate. Many will want to do this because they have children and grandchildren, etc, but even for those who don't it is wise if they wish to contribute to society.

It would be incredibly short-sided and selfish to take the attitude that the world is ours to use up; and screw succeeding humans. People before us didn't do that to us so it would be wrong for us to do that to future humans.

Be kind to yourself. Be kind to others. Be kind to our habitat. That's how a good human lives a good life.
Click to expand...


Yes there is!


Who else would refine pot to the point e have!
 
gboisjo said:
Our bodies are designed for pro-creation so that's 90% of the question.

Everything living is driven towards re-production, so family and offspring are paramount as to the meaning of life IMO.

Personal growth 10%.
Click to expand...


Every living thing is designed to reproduce. We are no different than an amoeba that way.
 
Fearandloathing said:
Yes there is!


Who else would refine pot to the point e have!
Click to expand...
Everybody wants their life to have meaning. A life has whatever meaning one creates. If there is some greater purpose, that has yet to be shown. We are animals. We live. We reproduce. We die. We are insignificant in the universe.
 
Peacenik said:
Everybody wants their life to have meaning. A life has whatever meaning one creates. If there is some greater purpose, that has yet to be shown. We are animals. We live. We reproduce. We die. We are insignificant in the universe.
Click to expand...


WAAAAY too ****ing serious man..................

Life is a party. Just live. **** analyze till you're in a coffin....I just stay stoned and keep my house clean.
 
Fearandloathing said:
WAAAAY too ****ing serious man..................

Life is a party. Just live. **** analyze till you're in a coffin....I just stay stoned and keep my house clean.
Click to expand...
Acknowledging our situation doesn't mean life can't be enjoyed. Particularly if one enjoys pondering big things.

To each his own!
 
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