What is the meaning of Life?

[Contra Fates]

Today in Western Literature we were studying a play called 'The End Game,' which primarily focused around 'life' and how meaningless it was. The author of the play felt like time itself doesn't really exist, and that life could be compared to a tube of toothpaste, it comes quick at first and in the middle, but before you know it, life has passed you by and all you're left with is whatever you can squeeze out.

But, it really got me to wondering...what is the meaning of life? What is the purpose in it? Are you afraid of your life just passing you by with no significance to it? I realize this is a very basic philosophical question, but I'm curious to know what you guys thing your purpose in life is.

[Sephiroth]

Life is full of meaning it is a time to enjoy the company of loved ones. Play with friends, do life's goals. Have fun. In my opinion this is my explanation of life. I enjoy all of its beauties

[Dee]

42. No joke, just read Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. On a more serious note, I don't think we'll ever discover that answer; at least not in this lifetime. I don't think I'd want to find out anyway. That would totally kill the fun.

[Contra Fates]

42. No joke, just read Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. On a more serious note, I don't think we'll ever discover that answer; at least not in this lifetime. I don't think I'd want to find out anyway. That would totally kill the fun.

Haha, well, my question wasn't really so much asking what the definitive answer is, but what the meaning of life is to each individual here. Is it to pursue happiness, is it to be successful? Things like that. xD

[Dee]

I still say I don't know other than to simply experience what comes my way. Of course, I wouldn't want to know the meaning. There's no point in knowing if you truly wish to live.

[Fuyumine]

Dying.

Morbid, I know. But I'm serious. Hear me out.

I love life. Life is awesome. I've had some serious, serious lows, but I've experienced more highs. And if possible, I'd like to live 'till I'm 100, and be a dirty old man like my idol Master Roshi. But I digress.

One of the things I really look forward to is death, just so I can know the answers my biggest question: "Why?" I'd like to know why there is even a such thing as existence, why the universe became what it was, etc. And I feel like the only way I'm going to get those answers is through death, for I'm thinking that maybe—just maybe—I'll somehow get some insight as to what the hell is going on.

[Casanova]

The thought that we all each have some kind of divine purpose to exist is, in itself, a pompous thought to me. What's wrong with just being an anomaly? What's wrong in thinking that we wouldn't be here had our parents not decided to engage in sexual intercourse in the first place? What's wrong in thinking that contraception would have likely killed every last human that has ever existed and does exist now?

I like to think like this. I like to think that our lives are ours to do what we please with and there is no reason for us to be here. We just exist by pure chance.

The question 'What is the meaning of life?' always ties in with the question 'How did we get here?' anyway. Creationism or evolution. If you're a believer in evolution then you likely think that there is no meaning to life, we just are. We exist by pure chance and it's up to us to make of life what we will with no divine interference. If you're a believer in creationism then you likely think that we all have a set path to walk and in the end we will inevitably complete our goals, whether bad or good.

A great influence on these beliefs is the question 'What happens after we die?' as believers in creationism believe there is a life after death, but believers in evolution likely do not. Depending on your beliefs and the answers you wish to be true makes everyone's opinion different.

[Doaj]

The question 'What is the meaning of life?' always ties in with the question 'How did we get here?' anyway. Creationism or evolution. If you're a believer in evolution then you likely think that there is no meaning to life, we just are. We exist by pure chance and it's up to us to make of life what we will with no divine interference. If you're a believer in creationism then you likely think that we all have a set path to walk and in the end we will inevitably complete our goals, whether bad or good.

A great influence on these beliefs is the question 'What happens after we die?' as believers in creationism believe there is a life after death, but believers in evolution likely do not. Depending on your beliefs and the answers you wish to be true makes everyone's opinion different.

Personally, I believe in a combination of answers. If I had to give myself a strict religious category, then I'm a Christian. This is defined by the basic fact that I believe Jesus Christ not only existed, but is the son of God. However, sometimes it seems as if people try and say, people came from apes, yada-yada-yada, and that because God never said people came from apes, he must not exist.
Well, on the contrary, I don't exactly believe in that style of evolution, but I do believe that life started out with single-celled organisms, then underwater, then amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, etc. The bottom line is, we're here now. Honestly, I don't know why we're here. According to the Bible, we were put here as a kind of science experiment to see how things would play out if God gave something free will. However, I don't believe that for two reasons. Firstly, God is complex. Can we really sum up the entirety of his intent with something so dismal and simple? I fucking doubt it. Secondly, many things in the current-day Bible are no longer accurate. I'll give you two examples:

The Bible says that God made the universe in seven days, however it was on the third or fourth day when he made time. Now, before he made time, all sorts of things already existed. In order for the Big Bang to happen, wouldn't the material need to be there before it all erupts from a single point in space? Anyway, the language that the Bible was translated from into English wasn't word for word. Languages have different grammatical issues and such. The word for 'Day' in the language the Bible was written in (Hebrew or something? I forget) meant 3 things: A twelve hour period of time, a twenty-four hour period of time, or an undetermined amount of time. How difficult would it have been to explain to ancient people that it was billions of years before they existed when all of that happened? How much easier would it be to say it was an indeterminable amount of time? I think it was logical, and that we translated that a bit incorrectly.

The second one is the whole issue with Jews not eating pork products. The Bible says that pigs are unclean, and that is why we could not eat them. Now, giving room for translation, I believe it was more of a tip. Hey, this animal will give you diseases and illness if you eat it because in Jesus' time they did not have the proper technological advances in food preparation and pig could not be cooked well enough, therefore giving those who ate it worms, ulcers, dysentery, and all sorts of horrible shit. I'm pretty sure nobody gets that from eating pig anymore, so...OMNOMNOMNOM.

So, I don't exactly take the Bible's word on why we're here, and I certainly don't think we're here for no reason (That's just an ignorant way to look at it, I think). When life is so beautiful, how can it all have been on accident? There's a song by the band 'Live' that depicts how I feel pretty well.

I don't need no one,
To tell me about Heaven.
I look at my daughter,
And I believe.
I don't need no proof
When it comes to God and truth.
I can see the sunset,
And I perceive.

[Recycled Human]

Doaj, I love your answer! It's an the logical conclusions of a thinking christian! Well done! I especially like the part 'God is complex'. There could be nothing more true, more focal to the argument for our purpose.

To try and pin God down into human terms is folly. And the weakness of such a concept helps to explain divine purpose (as touched on by John).

Its completely rational that in our innate nature, we wish to be whole, complete and fully free to do as we please. But we aren't free, not just by the binding concept of fate and destiny, but worse by the consequences of life. Shaped by our values which stem from meaningless concepts based on a history of intolerance, skepticism and superstition.

We as a people have gone even further to debase good ideas (as portrayed in biblical allegories, parables and teachings) by targeting every unsettling idea we can. Ripping out the important messages at the core because our fear of the unexplained and unknown cause us to hide in what comforts us. Even FURTHER we've charged ourselves to the cause of performing actions against such good teachings, purely out of spite like our prejudiced forefathers, we claim to have overcome.

Aside from my firm belief that people need to remove these negative concepts of fate and free will, people need to recognize that comparing and contrasting the two terms is like comparing an apple to a chair. Fate being something of a different perspective, different dimension, different time different plane. Free will being something of our own perspective, something limited, something temperamental, something malleable...be it a blade of grass or a grain of sand ANYTHING can mold free will.

Regardless, we have the divine. I will never say consider it valid, I will say give credit where credit is do.

All of that aside I'd like to throw my two cents in for my 'purpose' and throw in a quoted purpose from Mr. Vonnegut.

My purpose : To discover the tangible properties and patterns of the human mind. To protect, love and devote myself to my significant other. And to figure out MY answer for everything I don't know.

Obligatory Book reference!!! - KV says : 'The meaning of life? To be the eyes, ears and conscience of the creator of the universe, you idiot!' ~ Thanks Kilgore!

[Mellusia]

What is the meaning of life? That's a hell of a question and I dare say it will never be answered in someone's life.

After life when they die, who knows.

I guess the safe answer to the meaning of life IS what each person's perceives it to be.

For me, it's to be happy and to probably do something to earn that happiness. I've been miserable quite a few times in my life already, but it has gotten better after wards, so I guess I take it that I suffered (in my own little way) to obtain that happiness. Because if we're always happy, it becomes dull and isn't fulfilling to you anymore, and then we are no longer happy, or even content with what we have.

As for what makes me happy, a variety of things. Peace of mind being one of them. How is this achieved? Financial security is a very tangible form I could use. If I know I have millions of dollars in the bank just there for me to take when it get's a too tough, I really do just feel content then. And how do I obtain these finances? By being successful in the first place to make the money to make me feel secure.

As well, not being a lone helps a lot. I've lately found myself really loathing certain family members, but when I imagine them just gone, disappearing, suddenly dying, etc, I feel far from happy. I don't want to use the word empty, but I feel unsettled if that makes sense.

[Contra Fates]

Very interesting answers and responses so far! I'm glad you guys are delving a little deeper for this topic.

As for myself, I believe the meaning of life is to pursue happiness, like Mellusia. Though, this goal does bring up an interesting question: 'If my purpose is to pursue happiness, then am I given the right to pursue that purpose with any means necessary?' I ask this question because, what if my pursuit of happiness hinders the happiness of another? Am I still justified in that pursuit?

Existence and purpose is very interesting to look at when you think 'it is all personal.' Because, if that is in fact the case, then if swindling people makes me truly happy, yet makes the people I swindle very unhappy, then isn't my purpose now defunct because it caused misery for another? I was only trying to make myself happy, shouldn't that be all that matters?

I just find philosophy to be interesting, and granted I admit to having brought up one of the most cliche questions, I'm glad to have been able to read all of the responses so far, and look forward to any future entries.

[Doaj]

As for myself, I believe the meaning of life is to pursue happiness, like Mellusia. Though, this goal does bring up an interesting question: 'If my purpose is to pursue happiness, then am I given the right to pursue that purpose with any means necessary?' I ask this question because, what if my pursuit of happiness hinders the happiness of another? Am I still justified in that pursuit?

Honestly, when I brought religion into the debate, I was hesitant because I wasn't sure if others would find the relevance. Now I find it opportune that I've already covered that subject because, in response to your question, I have a question of my own.

If your purpose is to pursue happiness, then are you given the right to pursue that purpose with any means necessary?

I say Yes, however, can you be happy in the product of what you've done through your life given the circumstance that your happiness prevented another, or many others?

[Keiko]

Scientifically, the meaning of life is to quite simply, reproduce. That is all we're made to do, carry on our race. Best not to look too far into these matters, you'll never find a clear answer otherwise.

[Fuyumine]

Scientifically, the meaning of life is to quite simply, reproduce. That is all we're made to do, carry on our race. Best not to look too far into these matters, you'll never find a clear answer otherwise.

XD That answer is so scientifically depressing, man. I think that's one of the reasons religion was created. Like, who wants that to be the meaning of their existence?

[Casanova]

XD That answer is so scientifically depressing, man. I think that's one of the reasons religion was created. Like, who wants that to be the meaning of their existence?

The worship of the sun by ancient civilizations runs parallel to this. They were thankful for the sun keeping them alive, they knew what effect it had on plants and animals, they knew the light that it brought kept the predators away, and in the end sought to personify the sun thinking that there had to be a bigger meaning to it.

In order to get their head around the fact that the sun came and then went again, they said that the sun God constantly battled another God (forgive me, my memory isn't super duper xD). When the sun God won over, the sun came out until the darkness beat the sun into setting, then the dark reigned until the sun thwarted it once more, and so on.

All of this can be gathered from drawings set into stone that have lasted thousands and thousands of years, apparently. I haven't seen them myself. xD

What I'm saying is, it isn't rare for humans (I'm going to be blunt here) to jump to conclusions and make up stories to explain things. We do it all the time over the smallest things, it's part of the reason that tabloids are hated so much. xD

Personally, I can't see the point in struggling to prove or disprove theories like religion, evolution, etc.

I have no problem at all with just getting on with life and being happy with what I have.

[Fuyumine]

What I'm saying is, it isn't rare for humans (I'm going to be blunt here) to jump to conclusions and make up stories to explain things. We do it all the time over the smallest things, it's part of the reason that tabloids are hated so much. xD

Personally, I can't see the point in struggling to prove or disprove theories like religion, evolution, etc.

I have no problem at all with just getting on with life and being happy with what I have.

I couldn't have said it better myself, brother. I think if everyone shared this way of thinking, the world would probably be a little better.

[Tesla]

Doa...in response to your question about the *Earth created in 7 days*:

There WAS a planet BEFORE that took place. It is referred as the *Pre-Adamic Earth* and is Satan's creation. It is my belief that Satan is the one that created the dinosaurs (and possibly the cavemen)...and they died out cause God destroyed them. But that is up to you to believe.

I am obviously a Christian and believe we are put on this for 2 reasons:

1. To see whether we will believe in Gods word or reject it. He wants a creation that he can love and have love returned. He never had that with the angels.

2. For us to be *ambassadors* of Christ and to spread the word of God to people. Not specifically to say.....*YOU'D BETTER BE A CHRISTIAN OR YOU'LL BE SORRY!".....but to spread the word. It is upto the individual to decide. We can't force it.

That is my definition of the meaning of life.

[DK Dong]

A few days ago, a group of people knocked on my front door. When I answered, they immediately asked several questions.

Do you believe our destinies are predetermined?

What has god done for you today?

What is the meaning of life?

May we come in?

May we read some scriptures to you?

Are you sure?

I stared at 'em for a little while, took a sip from the glass of water I was drinking (I had just come inside from cutting the grass for the last 3 hours), and answered their questions.

No opinion.

Can't recall off the top of my head.

Happiness.

No.

I'd rather you didn't.

Yes.

That group of characters seemed to be fulfilling their duties by spreading the "word of god," but they sure didn't look too happy about it when they left the front porch. Life goes beyond human beings. Life exists just to...exist. I don't really pay it much mind.

[Tesla]

DK...I hope because you know I'm a christian that you don't associate me with Jehovah Witnesses. : (

I really don't feel like that. If you don't want to believe in the word...then that is your decision. I won't hate you for it.

[Cavallone]

I believe that secretly, we're a race of aliens that have been sent to an uninhabited planet in order to gauge and see just how fertile the Earth really is. But, of course, after many thousands of years, we've forgotten about this purpose and began to destroy our planet, leading to the chaos that we see now. Of course, our alien brethren in space are disappointed in us, and plan to destroy us along with the rest of the Earth when they tire of our complete and total incompetence.

That WAS our purpose in life, but now? I'm not so sure. And dude, I'm being completely serious. I don't believe in religion, because I think we're all a bunch of aliens. I mean, come on. At least I can say I am, being half hispanic and whatnot.

Anyway. The meaning of life is what you make it to be, and just like many other questions, has no set answer. Asking someone the meaning of life is like asking an enraged mexican senior citizen if she lit her ex husbands house on fire. Of course, I believe that we're just meant to live, and do whatever with our lives. If not, then someone, somewhere, would've stepped in and kicked our asses for doing stupid, ignorant things a long time ago.