The purpose of life?

Jun 4th (3 years ago)

Posted by: LifeOnaPlate

I personally believe one of-if not the most critical question every person can answer in their lives is "Is this all there is?" If our lives as human beings on this earth is mere chance, what is the meaning of it, and what is important about it? If, instead, there is a God, what was his meaning in this creation? What is the reason for our being here.

In short, there is a God or there isn't a God. Either way, what is the purpose? What got me thinking about this again was Shakespeare's last play, The Tempest. It says:
"Our revels now are ended. These our actors are melted into air, into thin air: and, like the baseless fabric of this vision, the cloud-capp'd towers, the gorgeous palaces, the solemn temples, the great globe itself, yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve, and, like this insubstantial pageant faded, leave not a rack behind." (Act 4, scene 1, lines 148–56.)

That's a bleak outlook, indeed. Can the sum of human existence be summed up by self-preservation of life by eating, drinking, and procreating, combined with other devices humans create to kill time? Or is there something more to our existence? I'm curious to hear what .orgers think about this issue. Thanks!

http://lifeonapl8.blogspot.com/
"This will always be BenFolds.org" +Steve

Jun 4th (3 years ago)

Posted by: WatercolorStain

That's one thing I've never spent much time thinking about.

You told people I'm fat?

Jun 4th (3 years ago)

Posted by: ass

It pretty much falls into two categories: purely scientific (no purpose, just the result of nature) or because god wanted us (god being a supreme entity and not necessarily "God").

IYAM (which you did)

I'M COMING FOR YOU, MOTHERFUCKER.

Jun 4th (3 years ago)

Posted by: LifeOnaPlate

WS- Do you ever plan on thinking about why you exist? It's a question a lot of guys like Plato and what not asked.

Ass- What do you personally think the purpose of life is? A plan set out by God? An arbitrary creation of God? A scientific evolvment in which you appeared only to die and become the grass and the antelope eat the grass in the circle of life and whatnot?

http://lifeonapl8.blogspot.com/
"This will always be BenFolds.org" +Steve

Jun 4th (3 years ago)

Posted by: guiltywhiteboy

its funny to imagine im talking to a puppy

and iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii know
that iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii am
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii am
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii am
the luckiest

Jun 4th (3 years ago)

Posted by: Strange Weather

It's a question a lot of guys like Plato and what not asked.

http://www.pcshock.com/Moo/sounds/PrincessBride/morons.
wav

Jun 4th (3 years ago)

Posted by: ass

I personally think life doesn't really have a purpose so to speak. Why was I born? Because of the physiology we've evolved as humans or even further than that, organisms on Earth. I think it may be arrogant to think that we're somewhat more special than anything else in the universe. Or that "God" made us in his image, which basically means we made "God" in our image.

There may be some cosmic entity responsible for the creation of life and everything in the universe, but I think it has probably put everything on autopilot since then.

I'M COMING FOR YOU, MOTHERFUCKER.

Jun 4th (3 years ago)

Posted by: ass

LifeOnaPlato

I'M COMING FOR YOU, MOTHERFUCKER.

Jun 4th (3 years ago)

Posted by: +DrewMG

I personally think life doesn't really have a purpose so to speak. Why was I born? Because of the physiology we've evolved as humans or even further than that, organisms on Earth. I think it may be arrogant to think that we're somewhat more special than anything else in the universe. Or that "God" made us in his image, which basically means we made "God" in our image.

There may be some cosmic entity responsible for the creation of life and everything in the universe, but I think it has probably put everything on autopilot since then.

iawtp. is there a word for what you call that view?

The Broken String is not just a great record by Bishop Allen standards. It is poised to be the pop soundtrack to the summer of 2007.

Jun 4th (3 years ago)

Posted by: ass

No, but feel free to make one up.

I'M COMING FOR YOU, MOTHERFUCKER.

Jun 4th (3 years ago)

Posted by: guiltywhiteboy

here is my answer btw

every2 says that life without god is meaningless and shallow and all that. I say it's quite the opposite for a couple of reasons. First of all there is this concept that god made us to "love honor and serve Him." Which basically reduces us to playthings of a huge child. I mean, a supreme being ALL POWERFUL AND KNOWING is alone in existence so he makes a world of people to worship him and if they dont he will condemn them to hell. wtf kind of petty shit is that. so my first argument against the "life is only meaningful with god" thing is that it reduces life to, to cite another peace of shakespeare, the opening scene of king lear, a pissing contest to prove how much we love god. then we die. Our life meaning is based upon worship of this big ol asshole and our attention is diverted from ourselves as individuals and as a group.

my other argument against this mentality is that a relatively short life, without the concept of god is meaningless because nothing comes after it. is a really good meal, a night of drinking, sex with someone you love, meaningless because it will end? i say it is not. in fact it is fucking awesome. life without a god reduces these 75 years all we get. So we make them count. ANd if you arent a completely stupid asshole you pursue happiness your life while also trying to help others in this goal. People who reduce a theistic vacuum to hedonism are fucking stupid. If this life is all we or anybody else get, morality is then key. As is a happy life. We dont just shut our eyes and wait for the rapture, we actually try to improve this world because it is all we get.

and iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii know
that iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii am
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii am
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii am
the luckiest

Jun 4th (3 years ago)

Posted by: guiltywhiteboy

iawtp. is there a word for what you call that view?

deism

and iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii know
that iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii am
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii am
iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii am
the luckiest

Jun 4th (3 years ago)

Posted by: WatercolorStain

Do you ever plan on thinking about why you exist?

Actually, I agree with ass, but I couldn't have worded it so well.

You told people I'm fat?

Jun 4th (3 years ago)

Posted by: Tuberculosis

beat me to it

combined with other devices humans create to kill time
benfolds.org?

anyways, nice topic platey. I've never come to a conclusion on the matter.

X:If you could be a superhero, which one would you be?
TB: Jesus...
X: Jesus wasn't a superhero.
TB: He wasn't?
X: No.
TB: Ok then....uh....Teen Wolf
X: nevermind

Jun 4th (3 years ago)

Posted by: Tuberculosis

also, cue heckstorm to tell us all how not choosing God is a cop out

X:If you could be a superhero, which one would you be?
TB: Jesus...
X: Jesus wasn't a superhero.
TB: He wasn't?
X: No.
TB: Ok then....uh....Teen Wolf
X: nevermind

Jun 4th (3 years ago)

Posted by: bobbielou

i think if we knew the meaning of life our brains would explode

I'm not sayin' I'm just sayin'.

"The god is chewing my hand off"
-silvergirl

Jun 4th (3 years ago)

Posted by: Tuberculosis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rj37wpu_FDQ

X:If you could be a superhero, which one would you be?
TB: Jesus...
X: Jesus wasn't a superhero.
TB: He wasn't?
X: No.
TB: Ok then....uh....Teen Wolf
X: nevermind

Jun 4th (3 years ago)

Posted by: LifeOnaPlate

I think it may be arrogant to think that we're somewhat more special than anything else in the universe.

I agree with that statement, for the most part.

There may be some cosmic entity responsible for the creation of life and everything in the universe, but I think it has probably put everything on autopilot since then.

kind of a watchmaker theory, a grandfather in heaven theory, in that he wound the watch and let it ride.

is there a word for what you call that view?

Deism is a pretty good one for it, good call.

every2 says that life without god is meaningless and shallow and all that.

It seems some religionists would say something to this effect in order to legitamize their faith in a creator and purpose of life. Conversely, I would also note that the opposite holds true: in that humans should lift up there heads and do what they will, in that whatever a man may do is ultimately no crime. There are varrying degrees of belief that span this spectrum.

First of all there is this concept that god made us to "love honor and serve Him." Which basically reduces us to playthings of a huge child. I mean, a supreme being ALL POWERFUL AND KNOWING is alone in existence so he makes a world of people to worship him and if they dont he will condemn them to hell. wtf kind of petty shit is that....etc.

This is a very egotistical God, indeed. I wouldn't worship such a creator, personally.

is a really good meal, a night of drinking, sex with someone you love, meaningless because it will end? i say it is not. in fact it is fucking awesome.

Perhaps not meaningless, but ultimately more fleeting than a possible eternity of growth and advancement. What good is a night of drinking, or a moment of good sex if all of this comes to naught in the end? It may be great at the time, but you won't even have a memory of it to speak of if we all cease to exist. So I'd counter with: those things are nice in and of themselves, but if there is more, they are pretty fleeting standing alone.

If this life is all we or anybody else get, morality is then key. As is a happy life. We dont just shut our eyes and wait for the rapture, we actually try to improve this world because it is all we get.

Indeed, too many religionists spend a lot of time focusing on the eternities without realizing that- if the eternities exist- THEY ARE ALREADY IN THEM. So I agree with that part of your post fo sho.

http://lifeonapl8.blogspot.com/
"This will always be BenFolds.org" +Steve

Jun 4th (3 years ago)

Posted by: LifeOnaPlate

To be brief, I appreciate your response so far, gwb, it makes me think, and see things from different perspectives.

TB- Do you plan on reaching a conclusion; and if so, how?

Blou: Just in case people figure out the purpose of life while ordering a sandwich, Subway has provided handy "splash guards" at their counters to prevent any food spoilage.

http://lifeonapl8.blogspot.com/
"This will always be BenFolds.org" +Steve

Jun 4th (3 years ago)

Posted by: ass

Blair, I'm having trouble putting together your stance.

I'M COMING FOR YOU, MOTHERFUCKER.

Jun 4th (3 years ago)

Posted by: +DrewMG

i fell out with the catholic faith primarily because i didn't like the idea of having to prove my worthiness to someone who couldn't take the time to make sure that i understand how to go about doing that beyond a shadow of a doubt. if faith in a god is so important, how come it's been trusted in the incredibly infallible hands of man for generations? it's like a trick question: he's set up a test for us to pass, and then given us all the possible tools to fail that test.

The Broken String is not just a great record by Bishop Allen standards. It is poised to be the pop soundtrack to the summer of 2007.

Jun 4th (3 years ago)

Posted by: WatercolorStain

Just in case people figure out the purpose of life while ordering a sandwich, Subway has provided handy "splash guards" at their counters to prevent any food spoilage.

I think I was just enlightened. I always just thought they were sneeze guards.

You told people I'm fat?

Jun 4th (3 years ago)

Posted by: LifeOnaPlate

I'm not advancing it, no one has questioned my stance, and given that most posters here already know I'm mormon, I am trying to butt out and simply agree or disagree as I read along, rather than advancing a full-scale purpose of life explanation.

http://lifeonapl8.blogspot.com/
"This will always be BenFolds.org" +Steve

Jun 4th (3 years ago)

Posted by: Tuberculosis

It may be great at the time, but you won't even have a memory of it to speak of if we all cease to exist

couldn't you say the same about Martin Luther or the Dalai Lama though?

TB- Do you plan on reaching a conclusion; and if so, how?
as of right now, no. It's not that I've given up or anything. I find myself distracted a lot of the time, and when I do have time to sit and ponder, someone wants that time filled up. I don't have the brain power to teach and ponder these sorts of things sadly. I've not read any part of a good book since Christmas, (though I try to focus my energies through national geo and smithsonian during the schoolyear.)
I don't imagine anyone every really reaches a conclusion, unless say you reach some sort of divine revelation stage like nirvana or zen or whatever you want to call it. (and even then it may just be self-delusion.) I've never had a feeling on par with what I'd imagine those divine states to feel like about anything.
I've decided to pursue knowledge from a wide variety of sources as best as I can and hope the answers piece themselves together slowly.

X:If you could be a superhero, which one would you be?
TB: Jesus...
X: Jesus wasn't a superhero.
TB: He wasn't?
X: No.
TB: Ok then....uh....Teen Wolf
X: nevermind

Jun 4th (3 years ago)

Posted by: dustybooks

I'm with Cullen. Basically the scientific meaninglessness of life forces each man/woman to create his/her own meaning.

----------------------------------------
"Up until about a minute ago, I thought dustybooks was a girl." - OneDown
"lol holy shit. i always thought you were a girl." - Webb
"Dusty, are you a girl? If so I think you're hot." - Taco_Sauce
"i thought you were a girl" - Nitty
DUSTYBOOKS: Not a Girl... since 1983
( www.dusty-books.com )

Jun 4th (3 years ago)

Posted by: +DrewMG

also, i have no beef with the concept of a higher power - but my belief gets strained when i'm asked to consider that this higher power has a consciousness.

The Broken String is not just a great record by Bishop Allen standards. It is poised to be the pop soundtrack to the summer of 2007.

Jun 4th (3 years ago)

Posted by: LifeOnaPlate

if faith in a god is so important, how come it's been trusted in the incredibly infallible hands of man for generations? it's like a trick question: he's set up a test for us to pass, and then given us all the possible tools to fail that test.


Yes, this is most definately a seeming catch-22, in that a supposedly "perfect" God must use "imperfect" men to communicate his message. One example may alleviate some pressure from this blister though, if God is thought of as a sort of musician and Gods messenger is thought of as his piano. The piano might have some dents, scratches, be a little out of tune, and perhaps to bring it up to pitch would snap the sucker in two, but a great musician or band can drag that piano from the curb and still make some great music with it. Some important music.
Perhaps God has allowed tools for us to fail that test, but perhaps he has also provided tools to help us pass it. The choice is very well up to us, but that's just it: without options or opposition the choice wouldn't ultimately be ours, and we wouldn't, at our very core, be free. The choice would have already been made for us.
In the end, if God has bigger responsibilities for us ahead, he'd make sure we could handle those responsibilities.

http://lifeonapl8.blogspot.com/
"This will always be BenFolds.org" +Steve

Jun 4th (3 years ago)

Posted by: dustybooks

you won't even have a memory of it to speak of if we all cease to exist.

1nce I'm dead I'm not really going to care that I no longer have memories of the great sex I had, because I will be dead and won't care about much of anything. I'm not the least bit worried about death, to be honest, because I don't think it's something anybody actually has to deal with. Dying is another matter; dying, if it's painful, would suck, so I'm hoping to die in a quiet fashion; if that's not possible, I hope it will be really dramatic and horrible if only because I'd like to leave ppl with something entertaining (and my writing probably won't do the trick).

say you like collecting paper clips. you're going to die and they won't be yours anymore, so what's the point? but in that case why do anything. you're getting joy out of your paper clip collection NOW, and now is all we know for a fact that we've got. so that's enough to justify your weird obsessive hobby imo.

----------------------------------------
"Up until about a minute ago, I thought dustybooks was a girl." - OneDown
"lol holy shit. i always thought you were a girl." - Webb
"Dusty, are you a girl? If so I think you're hot." - Taco_Sauce
"i thought you were a girl" - Nitty
DUSTYBOOKS: Not a Girl... since 1983
( www.dusty-books.com )

Jun 4th (3 years ago)

Posted by: ass

Iawt, Drew. Can't things just be? Just because our brains are more advanced than dogs' or giraffes', all of a sudden the Universe has a purpose?

I'M COMING FOR YOU, MOTHERFUCKER.

Jun 4th (3 years ago)

Posted by: ass

The thing that bums me out the most about dying is missing out what happens in the world after I'm dead. Just think about all of the people before us that never got the chance to see the world we live in today.

I'M COMING FOR YOU, MOTHERFUCKER.