FleshNBones Posted October 19, 2009 Posted October 19, 2009 To answer the question on a higher level, it is empirical fact that the purpose of life is to propagate genes (DNA). Taking the survival of DNA to be the purpose of life explains all the diversity of life forms that we see and all their complicated interactions.It is empirical fact that most politicians are scoundrels. Does that mean their purpose is to screw the public? It is an empirical fact that an active volcano will erupt. Does that mean the purpose of a volcano is to erupt? Surviving is just something life does. Saying that there is a purpose to life would suggest a higher power if you know what I mean. Having a purpose would imply intention. I think you really want to call life an accident, and I think that would make it purposeless.
Ross PK Posted October 19, 2009 Posted October 19, 2009 On a biological level reproduction. On a personal level (well mine), just being happy, enjoying myself.
disgracian Posted October 20, 2009 Posted October 20, 2009 Life having a purpose does not suggest a higher power at all. It is a possibility, but to say that one implies the other is false. As sentient beings, we can attach any purpose to life we want. The purpose of my life is to accumulate wisdom and knowledge and pass on as much of it as I can. I want to contribute to the continuing evolution of our species in whatever tiny way I can. There is no higher power in that. Cheers, D.
627 Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 I don't know if God exists or not, I don't believe in any religion but I think that regardless of whether God exists or doesn't... existence really has no higher purpose in the end, you won't change anything, and 150 years from now(and I am being very optimistic here), not even your descendence will remember your name or anythign about you if God exists, you still are meaningless, God does not need you, you are not required for anythign important, you can be erased as easily as you have been created and the God that is capable of everything (as believers say) is not capable of changing his mind 5 billion years after creating the universe and decides he does not want this? to me life has no purpose, and it does not need one, it's just enjoyable, I have my whole life ahead, I'm experiencing good and bad moments, I am learning new things everyday, and that satisfies me and no offense to religious people, I refuse to believe I was created to serve, we are better than being just slaves that obey and do not ask why, and even more, that obey a master that does not consider you worthy enough to see him
RA1 Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 It is an empirical fact that an active volcano will erupt. Does that mean the purpose of a volcano is to erupt? Primitive man probably did ask what is the purpose of volcanoes, rocks, air, water, sun, moon, etc. Modern man does not ask because the question does not quite make sense to us. Not all questions are sensible questions. Saying that there is a purpose to life would suggest a higher power if you know what I mean. Saying life has a purpose does not suggest a higher power. On a day to day basis, we create our own purposes to help us get through our lives and that is perfectly sensible. However, if one questions the ultimate purpose (why do we exist?), then that probably makes as little sense as questioning why volcanoes exist.
Trialbyfire Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 The purpose of life IS to procreate!! Everything else palls in comparison.
627 Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 I think by purpose it is meant some higher ultimate purpose if procreation is the whole purpose, that's kinda... easy isn't it? why go through school and university and seeking a high paying job abroad etc... and some rich successful people don't get married maybe biologicly or scientificly speaking it is to procreate if we are talking about some big purpose that sums up a person's life, I think none exists we just live on because we have a survival instinct, and personnaly I am always curious to see what will happen next
RA1 Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 we just live on because we have a survival instinct... Exactly right, because we are descended from millions of ancestors, every single one of them having the survival instinct and the luck to procreate before they died.
627 Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 Exactly right, because we are descended from millions of ancestors, every single one of them having the survival instinct and the luck to procreate before they died. yeah but I wouldn't call it a purpose of life if right now I go to some retarted area, pay a woman some money to carry my child... that won't allow me to die happy and say "I have fulfilled my purpose, I am a successful individual" and I don't think my family would be proud either a successful living organism(and successful in terms of biology) is one that procreates but generaly speaking about life, and going to more philosophical aspects, I think it is easier to say life has no purpose
RA1 Posted October 21, 2009 Posted October 21, 2009 ... I think it is easier to say life has no purpose I agree with everything you said. Personally, I think there is no evidence of an ultimate purpose. If we call the process that created inanimate and animate objects "God", then we are none the wiser because we then have to devise a process that created God.
Crusoe Posted November 6, 2009 Posted November 6, 2009 I like to think that the purpose, if there is a purpose, is to leave the world a better place than it was when you arrived. Them be some of the finest words I've ever read.
Toki Posted November 7, 2009 Posted November 7, 2009 I like to think that the purpose, if there is a purpose, is to leave the world a better place than it was when you arrived. Then, I think, we have failed at this task... miserably. The real purpose of life is of course to kill the first born male child of every household. Those buggers keep getting off to easily.
bbf Posted November 12, 2009 Posted November 12, 2009 IMO, the purpose of life is to live according to your values as closely as possible.
Vertex Posted November 12, 2009 Posted November 12, 2009 I don't think anything has any objective meaning. However, as a human who can feel emotion, I generally like to live happily. So I make decisions that maximize my lifetime utility.
D-Lish Posted December 31, 2009 Posted December 31, 2009 I'm Catholic and tend to believe that we are supposed to live good, moral and decent lives I'm an Atheist and I have the same belief.
Love Hurts Posted January 3, 2010 Posted January 3, 2010 Fleshy desires are not in accord with being spiritually moral. Its more like being at war with ones self in this arena of flesh vs. morals. Morality wins when one enters into a relationship with God; Jesus* Christ. Other than that its a no win situation. We just bottom out on alot of people saying they are good and do good. Not many will admit they are sinners in need of repentance. Thats my view on your topic .... hope its not to spiritual for your L.S. column.
disgracian Posted January 3, 2010 Posted January 3, 2010 Morality wins when one stops putting their selfish interests ahead of others, and practices kindness and charity instead. Morality does not require any religion, and it does not require that anybody live up to an arbitrary "perfect" standard. Cheers, D.
knaveman Posted January 3, 2010 Posted January 3, 2010 Isn't the complex art of living enough? The purpose of life is to live it before you die. Outside of that is has something to do with 42.
Moai Posted January 3, 2010 Posted January 3, 2010 There is no demonstrable purpose, not even procreation. To suggest that the purpose of humans, for example, is to create more humans begs the question as to the value of humans and necessity of same. If one is equating "purpose" with "meaning", that is universally determined by the individual. It is unfortunate that those who believe that there is a supernatural component to meaning/purpose feel the need to force their concept of meaning and purpose on everyone else.
whichwayisup Posted January 3, 2010 Posted January 3, 2010 To be the best person you can be..Accomplish what you can in life..Be loving, giving, caring, considerate, fun and strong. To be open to change, to accept the good and the bad.. Religious or not, we ALL have been blessed with life. It's up to us to decide how we live our lives. I'm not religious, more spiritual, but I do respect religion, one has to.. PS always searching, your profile picture is quite disturbing! lol
Moai Posted January 3, 2010 Posted January 3, 2010 I'm not religious, more spiritual, but I do respect religion, one has to.. l Why? Do I have to respect astrology? Or alchemy? Or witchcraft?
Moai Posted January 3, 2010 Posted January 3, 2010 MY purpose in life is to serve others anyway that will help them be better while becoming better myself according to God's word. Which is awesome, as far as that goes. Are others allowed to live according to their own conscience, even if they do not accept your god or his word? What does your interpretation of God's Word tell you about that?
Moai Posted January 3, 2010 Posted January 3, 2010 I repeat, the purpose of "MY" life is to serve others anyway that will help them be better while becoming better myself according to God's word. I answered the original question and I don't feel the need to answer for anyone else. Fair enough, I was just curious. You certainly don't have to respond to anything you don't want to, or share anything you don't want to. You don't owe me or anyone else anything.
Moai Posted January 3, 2010 Posted January 3, 2010 I don't mind responding to what I think I can answer. I can't answer for each person. It is something that each person has to find out for themselves. No one could tell me. Even as I searched, the answers could only come from me. Didn't mean to come off as pissy. Just kind of felt I was about to get hammered for my choice to follow God. Understandbly so, perhaps, given my reputation!
whichwayisup Posted January 4, 2010 Posted January 4, 2010 Why? Do I have to respect astrology? Or alchemy? Or witchcraft? It's just accepting people in general, as everyone has their own belief system, whether it be God and Religion, Spirtual, Mother Nature, even Witchcraft.. To me anyway, it's just basic respect for someone else and not judging them for what they believe in.
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