Pages: 1 2  Next -- Posted by Midnight Frost at 7:50 am on Sep. 18, 2006 “I see many people die because they judge that life is not worth living. I see others paradoxically getting killed for the ideas and illusions that give them a reason for living. I therefore conclude that the meaning of life is the most urgent of questions.” -Albert Camus Basically, the question of the meaning of life constitutes the oldest and most fundamental of all philosophical inquiries, and therefore the answer to this question encompasses a variety of other diverse philosophical issues as well, thus playing an integral role in the foundations of philosophy itself. It is the answer to this question which will ultimately determine one’s personal worldview, perceptions of reality, and actions. Of course we have the seperate branches like Existentialism, Nihilism, and the like. I'm just wondering about some of the views here and the diverse implications that this range of plausible meanings have for you all. -- Posted by ipso facto at 1:30 pm on Sep. 18, 2006 See I'm not even that confident that there IS a reason for life. Think of this world, and think of it with no intelligent being above us. Think of it with no afterlife. Think of it as if we are life that happened to spring up because the conditions happen to be correct for it. When thought of this way, it almost seems like there is no point. We happen to be the most intelligent beings on the planet, and we're capable of thinking about this particular question, but I think the curse of being intelligent is that we over think it. Really, as far as existence goes, we're no more import ant or valued or here with any more purpose than the smallest of all bacteria. We're just very developed animals. Thats it. -- Posted by exparrot at 5:15 pm on Sep. 20, 2006 I personally don't care to find out.  I just want to enjoy myself while I'm here and keep on thinking that the meaning of life is 42. -- Posted by phragit at 1:19 pm on Sep. 21, 2006 .............errrrrr...........42........you had to beat me to it............well I find this to be a sophmoric question, that there is no base meaning and that we are all responsible for creating and maintaining our own meaning, most people are simply too lathergic to do so and follow other people's objective world-views. -- Posted by morriss30 at 6:07 pm on Sep. 21, 2006 Born Grow Grow Grow Teenage years most learning! Learn about humanit learn first relationship learn learn learn Learn Learn Learn Invent improve procreate/adopt kids teach them improve more on past generation Socially/scientifically/politically ect.. make ur life worth something leave a good legacy by showing how much u've made the world better invent create teach kids more grow old pass on knowledge in those grandparents stories stay sharp dull a little dull more die blech repeat thats the meaning of life Repeat and this question will be repeated throughout that process -- Posted by Midnight Frost at 12:01 am on Sep. 22, 2006 Well that is more of the process... how about the meaning of life is to search for that meaning? But that would result in a rather circular argument. I guess its up to everyone to formulate their own views and develop for themselves a way of thinking that gives them purpose in their lives. -- Posted by LimeWire at 5:34 pm on Sep. 22, 2006 i think the meaning of life is to love and have relationships with other people. lol -- Posted by badger guitar chick at 7:59 pm on Sep. 22, 2006 The meaning of life is to find that every sperm is sacred... Alright, on a serious note, I believe the meaning of life is just a question pondered to many times and is meant to drive people crazy to find the answer.  I suppose it's like the Holy Grail...it might be there, but you're never going to find it.  Actually, I think the meaning of life just totally depends on the person. -- Posted by MrCarrot at 11:57 pm on Sep. 22, 2006 I tried to figure it out...and I still do, but I realized I can't find it. So I set my own philosophy for life, and decided I would live as if this is my only chance and to make the best of life. -- Posted by liebedeutschland at 12:17 am on Sep. 24, 2006 42. Seriously though, to each his own, but I think that in the grand scheme of things, each of us individually matters so very little. And since we don't matter, we might as well have fun while we're here (within reason of course). -- Posted by ipso facto at 10:16 am on Sep. 24, 2006 Yay for being Hitchhikers Guide nerds. I'll add to the 42 count and hope this is above the minimum character limit. -- Posted by mejones at 6:10 pm on Sep. 24, 2006 I find meaning to life in God.  As a Christian I see it (my life) meaningful to the service and glorification of God.  If in my life, death, persuctution, sorrow, or joy I may bring honor and glory to Him that is my plea, my will, my meaning.  I see Him as being above all men, laws, and reason, and therefore my everything. -- Posted by mejones at 6:16 pm on Sep. 24, 2006 I ment to say in my life, death persecution sorry I got in a hurry and did not check it. -- Posted by Spasty at 10:10 pm on Sep. 24, 2006 I believe that life is what you make of it. A person decides their happiness. One cannot be happy without deciding to be sad, especially in times of trouble. Beyond that, I believe the meaning of life is to love others, and to help others throughout life. And on the level after that? Live, love, and help others (without bringing in religion, as that brings debate, and I am sleepy). -- Posted by masterfultemptation at 10:07 am on Sep. 25, 2006 The meaning of life is to act as test specimens for the aliens who watch us daily -- Posted by Chava at 11:59 am on Sep. 25, 2006 I think the meaning of life is the time period from which one is born to when he dies. -- Posted by BsRdSxs12 at 8:34 pm on Sep. 26, 2006 ...42... I think everyone creates their own meaning to their own lives. Through ones actions and experiences. I dont believe that everyone is trying to achieve the same thing. -- Posted by edey105 at 4:59 pm on Sep. 29, 2006 Sometimes i think life can be compared to a game. You start and first its easy but as the game progresses and as life goes on, you confronted with hard decisions to make. Life is sometimes hard, sometimes easy. Sometimes more hard than easy. But in a game you want to survive, and in life you should want to do the same. If you give up there is no hope. but if you press on, never giving up, eventually, you will survive and win. The purpose of life is to make it through it and to do so calls for you to endure the vigirous tasks that will be placed before you. But once those tasks are over and done. You have survived -- Posted by LinZ at 12:27 am on Sep. 30, 2006 I don't believe life has a meaning - as far as I'm concerned, the occurrence of all life is a mere coincidence. There was no script written out for the planet earth to have so many life forms, or life at all. It just happened. Don't you wonder if life forms on other planets are asking themselves the same question? People these days love to coddle everyone and tell even the biggest dumbasses have a purpose on the planet. Life had no meaning when it began, and now, billions of people later, it still has no point. The only things humans have to look forward to in life these days are death and taxes...because those are the only things that are guaranteed. -- Posted by bex101 at 3:13 am on Sep. 30, 2006 I'v always thought that there is no meaning of life, but there is instead a purpose of life; the generic version of which would be "to affect another living organism either directly or indirectly, through life or as a consequence of death." I'd be interested to hear anyone's thought on this as it is an idea I am pionering. -- Posted by Midnight Frost at 9:29 am on Sep. 30, 2006 Either way, its good to see many of you coming up with your own definitions and living up to it. Its all about finding your own purpose, rather than following what others' have decided upon. -- Posted by Newfie at 4:45 pm on Oct. 2, 2006 Quote: from ipso facto at 6:00 pm on Sep. 18, 2006 See I'm not even that confident that there IS a reason for life. Think of this world, and think of it with no intelligent being above us. Think of it with no afterlife. Think of it as if we are life that happened to spring up because the conditions happen to be correct for it. When thought of this way, it almost seems like there is no point. We happen to be the most intelligent beings on the planet, and we're capable of thinking about this particular question, but I think the curse of being intelligent is that we over think it. Really, as far as existence goes, we're no more import ant or valued or here with any more purpose than the smallest of all bacteria. We're just very developed animals. Thats it. I agree almost 100%. But as time goes on, I think everyone does have a purpose in life, although noones is always the same.  I agree with what you said, but also I think people have a mission of finding their purpose in life. -- Posted by schoon at 11:34 am on Oct. 3, 2006 The meaning of MY life is to serve and glorify God. Now, i believe that this is the meaning of all life, but if i stated so as a maxim, everyone would immediately jump down my throat about being judgmental, so we'll leave it at my belief. -- Posted by Leparsdon at 8:07 pm on Oct. 13, 2006 The most important thing is Love. That is one of the only things that people die for, whether they realize it or not. Anything else is just filler for what hasn't happened yet. I mean even GOD himself does nothing without it being a great labor of LOVe, so why wouldn't that be the reason? To experience one of the greatest things that has ever been and ever will be? -- Posted by exparrot at 6:14 pm on Oct. 22, 2006 Honestly?  I don't want to know what the meaning of life.  I don't think there is a meaning.  We all seem to be some freak accident. -- Posted by seraphimxii at 9:12 pm on Oct. 22, 2006 I really doubt that there is a meaning to life... If i had to give an answer though, Mine would simply be to live it. What else can life be for other than to live it? Though many other peoply i'm sure can think of more in depth and philisophical answers. -- Posted by Midnight Frost at 2:30 am on Oct. 23, 2006 Just watched The Matrix Revolutions on TV and I liked what Smith said somewhere towards the end: "The purpose of life is to end." So, then, do we just let it slip by and end? Of course I also find it encouraging that people choose to live life to the fullest since we only get one shot at it. Or maybe we should stop speculating on the subject altogether? -- Posted by mapleafan at 5:04 pm on Oct. 26, 2006 In my opinion, the meaning of life varyies from person to person. You are on earth for a reason, tis your job to find out why. -- Posted by IamNotBritish at 5:11 pm on Oct. 26, 2006 "Yeah, I've had a team working on this over the past few weeks, and what we've come up with can be reduced to two fundamental concepts. One: People aren't wearing enough hats. Two: Matter is energy. In the universe there are many energy fields which we cannot normally perceive. Some energies have a spiritual source which act upon a person's soul. However, this "soul" does not exist ab initio as orthodox Christianity teaches; it has to be brought into existence by a process of guided self-observation. However, this is rarely achieved owing to man's unique ability to be distracted from spiritual matters by everyday trivia." So anyway... The meaning of life is to "try and be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try and live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations." -- Posted by exceedinglyrare at 10:45 am on Oct. 27, 2006 All religious thoughts aside (because I can't make those apply universally), I'd say the general meaning of life for people who thing abstractly at all is to continue living after death somehow. I don't mean literally being zombies or what have you, but I think every person wants to leave some sort of a legacy, whether it's a legacy that reaches thousands (such as through fame of some sort) or a legacy that only involves a few. We want to be remembered for something. No one wants to take their fourscore years and be forgotten. Pages: 1 2  Next