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Meaning of Life?

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Teradonus

Hey everyone, this is my first post, since I can't find a designated area for it. Sorry if I missed it! *handshakes* all around and all that.
Maybe a bad idea to get into the heavy stuff right off the bat, but here is my particular take on the meaning of life:
I honestly have no clue. I was raised atheist, turned christian in my middle school years, and now am...agnostic-christian? I believe in a God, and believe that the morals taught in the New Testament are the 'correct' ones, but I'm not a devout catholic by any stretch of the imagination. With that all in mind, I think that the meaning of life is to balance the freedom to choose of those around, the happiness of those around you, and your own happiness, in that order. You do what you can to make other people happy, while still giving them choice to make themselves miserable if they so choose, and all the while making sure that you take at least a minimal care for yourself. As for the afterlife, preserving your soul and bringing new sheep into the flock, idk. Seems like a kind God wouldn't threaten us with hell.
Don't intend to start a religious flame war or anything, you people seem level-headed enough for that not to happen, I just don't think the topic at hand and my faith can be seperated.
Hey everyone, this is my first post, since I can't find a designated area for it. Sorry if I missed it! *handshakes* all around and all that. Maybe a bad idea to get into the heavy stuff right off the bat, but here is my particular take on the meaning of life: I honestly have no clue. I was raised atheist, turned christian in my middle school years, and now am...agnostic-christian? I believe in a God, and believe that the morals taught in the New Testament are the 'correct' ones, but I'm not a devout catholic by any stretch of the imagination. With that all in mind, I think that the meaning of life is to balance the freedom to choose of those around, the happiness of those around you, and your own happiness, in that order. You do what you can to make other people happy, while still giving them choice to make themselves miserable if they so choose, and all the while making sure that you take at least a minimal care for yourself. As for the afterlife, preserving your soul and bringing new sheep into the flock, idk. Seems like a kind God wouldn't threaten us with hell. Don't intend to start a religious flame war or anything, you people seem level-headed enough for that not to happen, I just don't think the topic at hand and my faith can be seperated.

Posted 4 years, 7 months ago

bahamut1

knowledge,without it we could not survive if u think about it all through our lives we reliy on reciving and passing on knowledge to each other so the meaning of life would be to gain knowledge.
knowledge,without it we could not survive if u think about it all through our lives we reliy on reciving and passing on knowledge to each other so the meaning of life would be to gain knowledge.

Posted 4 years, 7 months ago

Falcon

Hmm, I don't agree that we couldn't survive without knowledge.
Logic is the key to knowledge, without the logic, we wouldn't be able to perceive knowledge.
Ofcourse! Knowledge people taught you can be important, however, I don't care a ... about 'knowledge' people tell me about, I try to find my own way using logic.
F.
Hmm, I don't agree that we couldn't survive without knowledge. Logic is the key to knowledge, without the logic, we wouldn't be able to perceive knowledge. Ofcourse! Knowledge people taught you can be important, however, I don't care a ... about 'knowledge' people tell me about, I try to find my own way using logic. F.

Last edited by Falcon, 4 years, 7 months ago
Posted 4 years, 7 months ago

SheepKing

Falcon; It seems to me that logic is slower than knowledge. What was logical to do 100 years ago might not seem so logical to do now a days. The time frames don't even have to be that long.
Falcon; It seems to me that logic is slower than knowledge. What was logical to do 100 years ago might not seem so logical to do now a days. The time frames don't even have to be that long.

Posted 4 years, 7 months ago

Falcon

I didn't mean what people THINK what's logical.
Something that was REALLY logical 100 years ago, should be logical by now, at least, if we're talking about nature.
F.
I didn't mean what people THINK what's logical. Something that was REALLY logical 100 years ago, should be logical by now, at least, if we're talking about nature. F.

Posted 4 years, 7 months ago

joke-lain

true, but we're also talking about human nature. If you really know and are passionate about logic, then logic should tell you that people change and societies change and that we grow smart as we get old. So does society. You should really listen to other peoples knowledge instead of shutting them out. They would probably have more experience that you. And, as we know, humans learn by trial and error. But we may also learn by listening and paying attention, it hurts less.
@Sheepking
That reading was very excellent, thank you. The meaning of death is to end all of your life's work and life in itself. Mainly to rest. In some religions, the meaning of life is to enjoy a good life, but to still be good and to prepare yourself for the "judgment day" or so its called. Your death is like your deadline. It's not THE judgment day, but its when you have to spot preparing for it.
but lets not go into that. My meaning of life right now is to finish and publish my book, go to hillsdale, at least be married by 22 or 24, have a few kids, become a writer. Have a majors in philosophy, and english and a minor is math and art.
wait...is that really my meaning of life...hm...
true, but we're also talking about human nature. If you really know and are passionate about logic, then logic should tell you that people change and societies change and that we grow smart as we get old. So does society. You should really listen to other peoples knowledge instead of shutting them out. They would probably have more experience that you. And, as we know, humans learn by trial and error. But we may also learn by listening and paying attention, it hurts less. @Sheepking That reading was very excellent, thank you. The meaning of death is to end all of your life's work and life in itself. Mainly to rest. In some religions, the meaning of life is to enjoy a good life, but to still be good and to prepare yourself for the "judgment day" or so its called. Your death is like your deadline. It's not THE judgment day, but its when you have to spot preparing for it. but lets not go into that. My meaning of life right now is to finish and publish my book, go to hillsdale, at least be married by 22 or 24, have a few kids, become a writer. Have a majors in philosophy, and english and a minor is math and art. wait...is that really my meaning of life...hm...

Posted 4 years, 7 months ago

Falcon

You're totaly right, but, we should always use our logic to TEST the knowledge of others :P
F.
You're totaly right, but, we should always use our logic to TEST the knowledge of others :P F.

Posted 4 years, 7 months ago

joke-lain

Absolutely. Because if we solely believe in other without reason, then you could believe that pigs flew.
Actually, if you think about it. Many reasons why Blonds are thought to be "stupid" (which they are) is because they don't use reason to back someone else's knowledge with. Or any hairhead, for that matter.
(Sorry, I kind of pointed out the obvious there)
Absolutely. Because if we solely believe in other without reason, then you could believe that pigs flew. Actually, if you think about it. Many reasons why Blonds are thought to be "stupid" (which they are) is because they don't use reason to back someone else's knowledge with. Or any hairhead, for that matter. (Sorry, I kind of pointed out the obvious there)

Posted 4 years, 7 months ago

zephyr

@babmunt1
If the point of life is to pass and recieve knowledge then that still leaves the question of why we exist. Computers do a much better job of passing info then we ever could. So why don't we have a plant full of machines?
I personally don't think there is a meaning to life. Humans are just another species on this planet. We just evolved to a point where we can think about complicated things...sorta like this ^_^ If we are just another species on this planet then our only job is to reproduce so that the species survives, and seeing as how there are over 6 billion people on earth I'd say we're doing a pretty good job -_^
@babmunt1 If the point of life is to pass and recieve knowledge then that still leaves the question of why we exist. Computers do a much better job of passing info then we ever could. So why don't we have a plant full of machines? I personally don't think there is a meaning to life. Humans are just another species on this planet. We just evolved to a point where we can think about complicated things...sorta like this ^_^ If we are just another species on this planet then our only job is to reproduce so that the species survives, and seeing as how there are over 6 billion people on earth I'd say we're doing a pretty good job -_^

Posted 4 years, 7 months ago

bahamut1

@zephyr yes but computers only store and send knowledge we give it without humans the computers would run out of knowledge and also computers cant learn
@zephyr yes but computers only store and send knowledge we give it without humans the computers would run out of knowledge and also computers cant learn

Posted 4 years, 7 months ago

SheepKing

Joke-Lain:
You so matter-of-factly stated both the meaning of death and of your life. Though I don't disagree with both answers, I do differ in opinion on how you came to the conclusions of both.
While with Death you have formed an opinion of how death affects our life. Effectively stopping it. But the meaning you attach to it, perhaps incorrectly (who knows on that), is the effect it has. You say, " Death stops life. So Death is the end point where you can't continue to move forward. " Well yes, but WHY Does it stop our life? Why does it exist as much as life? (the answer is not "because you die".)
With the meaning of your life. You aren't necessarily meant to write a book, have kids, get married, etc. Those are the things you WANT. Is there a seperation between what we WANT and what is meant to be made out of life? I hope so; Because I want something for myself every year.
Joke-Lain: You so matter-of-factly stated both the meaning of death and of your life. Though I don't disagree with both answers, I do differ in opinion on how you came to the conclusions of both. While with Death you have formed an opinion of how death affects our life. Effectively stopping it. But the meaning you attach to it, perhaps incorrectly (who knows on that), is the effect it has. You say, " Death stops life. So Death is the end point where you can't continue to move forward. " Well yes, but WHY Does it stop our life? Why does it exist as much as life? (the answer is not "because you die".) With the meaning of your life. You aren't necessarily meant to write a book, have kids, get married, etc. Those are the things you WANT. Is there a seperation between what we WANT and what is meant to be made out of life? I hope so; Because I want something for myself every year.

Posted 4 years, 7 months ago

joke-lain

@zephyr
We are not just another species, we are the superior species. And the point of life isn't just to pass and receive knowledge, it is to live and experience and use this knowledge to its fullest. Life does have a point and It is the humans responsibilities to take care of this world. And computers Don't have emotion and reason. We do.
@sheepking
Well, there is a difference between what we want out of life and what is meant to be made out of life, I will agree with you at that. But because I don't know the true meaning of my life, I try to describe it by what I plan on doing in my life and what has happened in my life.
Everything has an end, thats all I can explain it from. Yes, I did describe what it does instead of what it is. But, many times, if you want to find out what something is, you need to look at what it does and vise-versa
@zephyr We are not just another species, we are the superior species. And the point of life isn't just to pass and receive knowledge, it is to live and experience and use this knowledge to its fullest. Life does have a point and It is the humans responsibilities to take care of this world. And computers Don't have emotion and reason. We do. @sheepking Well, there is a difference between what we want out of life and what is meant to be made out of life, I will agree with you at that. But because I don't know the true meaning of my life, I try to describe it by what I plan on doing in my life and what has happened in my life. Everything has an end, thats all I can explain it from. Yes, I did describe what it does instead of what it is. But, many times, if you want to find out what something is, you need to look at what it does and vise-versa

Posted 4 years, 7 months ago

SheepKing

Perhaps "Superior" in the sense of dominant species. If our human responsibility is to take care of the world we have failed and are failing miserably. We are parasites of the non-symbiotic variety; We offer very little for what we take.
Why couldn't the point of life be to receive and pass knowledge?
Also, theoretically computers could be programmed to feel emotions and to reason. :-P
Perhaps "Superior" in the sense of dominant species. If our human responsibility is to take care of the world we have failed and are failing miserably. We are parasites of the non-symbiotic variety; We offer very little for what we take. Why couldn't the point of life be to receive and pass knowledge? Also, theoretically computers could be programmed to feel emotions and to reason. :-P

Posted 4 years, 7 months ago

joke-lain

they can be programmed, but is it real emotion?
The reason why the point of life isn't just to receive and pass knowledge is because We need to use that knowledge to some degree. After all, knowledge is power, but a worthless power if not used.
We do actually take care of the world. As a matter of fact, There have been twice as many trees in the world since we started to replant them. And if we didn't kill and hunt animals or insects, then there would be an overpopulation of some species which would alter the entire food chain. So, we're are doing our part.
they can be programmed, but is it real emotion? The reason why the point of life isn't just to receive and pass knowledge is because We need to use that knowledge to some degree. After all, knowledge is power, but a worthless power if not used. We do actually take care of the world. As a matter of fact, There have been twice as many trees in the world since we started to replant them. And if we didn't kill and hunt animals or insects, then there would be an overpopulation of some species which would alter the entire food chain. So, we're are doing our part.

Posted 4 years, 7 months ago

SheepKing

Twice as many trees? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deforestation Please read that; It will give you some perspective on what's really going on with the trees.
Also if you are interested in some other examples of what we are doing negatively to the environment and socially, go ahead and find this book at your local library: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collapse:_How_Societies_Choose_to_Fail_or_Succeed
It's a really good read.
I agree that hunting is necessary in overpopulated areas of animals; However, there are many species that are over-hunted. We have caused the extinction of many species of animals since we've been around and growing. Famously: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodo
We are NOT doing our part.
I also suggest you read materials about environmental impact/pollution/effects of consumerism on the environment. We're Dirty.
Twice as many trees? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deforestation Please read that; It will give you some perspective on what's really going on with the trees. Also if you are interested in some other examples of what we are doing negatively to the environment and socially, go ahead and find this book at your local library: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collapse:_How_Societies_Choose_to_Fail_or_Succeed It's a really good read. I agree that hunting is necessary in overpopulated areas of animals; However, there are many species that are over-hunted. We have caused the extinction of many species of animals since we've been around and growing. Famously: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dodo We are NOT doing our part. I also suggest you read materials about environmental impact/pollution/effects of consumerism on the environment. We're Dirty.

Posted 4 years, 7 months ago

zephyr

@bahamut1
I agree with you on the part of computers not being able to gain new knowledge. My use of the analogy was simply to demonstrate my lack of faith in the idea of exicting purely to send and recieve information. If that was the meaning of life then the human race would be no better than a computer. I have little to no belief in a higher purpose, so existence is merly a fact of life. Humans are charged with no more resonsibility for life than a dog, or a monkey, or yes a computer -_^
@joke-lain
I re-read what I wrote last time and I don't think I made myself crystal clear, Although I think you're boardering on understanding me ^_^ we ARE the superior species (on that topic I agree with you) thanks to seccessfully reproducing adaptive traits; reproduction of the adaptive as it were. That's why we're not drooling cavemen/women -_^ playing in caves with rocks. Thanks to these adaptive traits that have been naturally selected by nature we have the ability to think and have emotions. However the part about taking care of this world isn't really a purpose in everyones life. It is merly something that we all must do, Kinda like cleaning your room. You don't have to do it, but if you don't it because messy and uninhabitable.
@bahamut1 I agree with you on the part of computers not being able to gain new knowledge. My use of the analogy was simply to demonstrate my lack of faith in the idea of exicting purely to send and recieve information. If that was the meaning of life then the human race would be no better than a computer. I have little to no belief in a higher purpose, so existence is merly a fact of life. Humans are charged with no more resonsibility for life than a dog, or a monkey, or yes a computer -_^ @joke-lain I re-read what I wrote last time and I don't think I made myself crystal clear, Although I think you're boardering on understanding me ^_^ we ARE the superior species (on that topic I agree with you) thanks to seccessfully reproducing adaptive traits; reproduction of the adaptive as it were. That's why we're not drooling cavemen/women -_^ playing in caves with rocks. Thanks to these adaptive traits that have been naturally selected by nature we have the ability to think and have emotions. However the part about taking care of this world isn't really a purpose in everyones life. It is merly something that we all must do, Kinda like cleaning your room. You don't have to do it, but if you don't it because messy and uninhabitable.

Posted 4 years, 7 months ago

joke-lain

Well, zephyr, I'm glad you understand.
@Sheepking
Prove it. Actually prove it to me. And don't ever use wikipedia for research, Anyone can post information, and most of it isn't true. Find me an actual sight that isn't backed up by circular reasoning.
Well, zephyr, I'm glad you understand. @Sheepking Prove it. Actually prove it to me. And don't ever use wikipedia for research, Anyone can post information, and most of it isn't true. Find me an actual sight that isn't backed up by circular reasoning.

Posted 4 years, 7 months ago

joke-lain

@sheepking
I'm sorry to sound very argumentative, but we're going into politics and talking about things we already know. I really don't want to get into that because I know what the truth is. I can't prove into, but it has been proven to me. And I will start literally yelling at you if we really get into this. (ask Akio, he knows.)
Anyway. One way to find out what something means (life) is to find out what it does or what it is used for or what it allows you to do.
@sheepking I'm sorry to sound very argumentative, but we're going into politics and talking about things we already know. I really don't want to get into that because I know what the truth is. I can't prove into, but it has been proven to me. And I will start literally yelling at you if we really get into this. (ask Akio, he knows.) Anyway. One way to find out what something means (life) is to find out what it does or what it is used for or what it allows you to do.

Posted 4 years, 7 months ago

SheepKing

Alright, but before I end my argument, I want to point out the irony of you telling me to give you a website for proof; As opposed to wikipedia. I was going to put a disclaimer that I was originally using wikipedia but a website is a website. And at least on wikipedia there are opposing views doing the editing of the information. And anyone can't post a website?
Here you go:
http://www.botany.uwc.ac.za/envfacts/facts/deforestation.htm
http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Library/Deforestation/
http://www.umich.edu/~gs265/society/deforestation.htm
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/eye/deforestation/effect.html
http://www.mongabay.com/brazil.html
http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange2/current/lectures/deforest/deforest.html
http://news.mongabay.com/2005/1115-forests.html
I could keep going.
Deforestation is not politics. It is a fact of human civilizations. If anything it is should be considered a part of history, a natural side effect of the human expansion and the seeking out of resources.
How you could have been proven otherwise on the subject beats me. But your willingness to not change your mindset on the subject is disturbing.
----
Meaning of life:
I'll admit to truth in the statement "One way to find out what something means is to find out what it does or what it is used for or what it allows you to do." However, I do not know how much this really applies to something such as a life. It may apply for swords, pencils, paper, computers, and what not. You can easily identify what that object "means" by what using it and figuring out what it's used for.
But, what about other things. For example: What does a rock do? Well, a rock sitting out in the woods really doesn't do anything. However, if you where to take perhaps that same rock and grind it up and add other elements it could be used for concrete, or for building, or maybe it has iron or some other metal in it.
The same is with life/death. There could thousands of meanings, some of which are beyond our point of observation.
Alright, but before I end my argument, I want to point out the irony of you telling me to give you a website for proof; As opposed to wikipedia. I was going to put a disclaimer that I was originally using wikipedia but a website is a website. And at least on wikipedia there are opposing views doing the editing of the information. And anyone can't post a website? Here you go: http://www.botany.uwc.ac.za/envfacts/facts/deforestation.htm http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Library/Deforestation/ http://www.umich.edu/~gs265/society/deforestation.htm http://www.nationalgeographic.com/eye/deforestation/effect.html http://www.mongabay.com/brazil.html http://www.globalchange.umich.edu/globalchange2/current/lectures/deforest/deforest.html http://news.mongabay.com/2005/1115-forests.html I could keep going. Deforestation is not politics. It is a fact of human civilizations. If anything it is should be considered a part of history, a natural side effect of the human expansion and the seeking out of resources. How you could have been proven otherwise on the subject beats me. But your willingness to not change your mindset on the subject is disturbing. ---- Meaning of life: I'll admit to truth in the statement "One way to find out what something means is to find out what it does or what it is used for or what it allows you to do." However, I do not know how much this really applies to something such as a life. It may apply for swords, pencils, paper, computers, and what not. You can easily identify what that object "means" by what using it and figuring out what it's used for. But, what about other things. For example: What does a rock do? Well, a rock sitting out in the woods really doesn't do anything. However, if you where to take perhaps that same rock and grind it up and add other elements it could be used for concrete, or for building, or maybe it has iron or some other metal in it. The same is with life/death. There could thousands of meanings, some of which are beyond our point of observation.

Last edited by SheepKing, 4 years, 7 months ago
Posted 4 years, 7 months ago

joke-lain

( I meant to drop it for a reason)
Actually, there could be thousands of reasons to USE Life/death, but there is only one meaning.
I'll use your rock for example. It has many uses, but only one meaning. What the rock is used for and what it does are usually very similar.
Same thing with life. It allows to do the things we want to do, but it is sometimes used for evil (only a certain part of life, though). It also tells us that if we throw away our life (kill ourselfs or die) that we cannot use it anymore. Life (if an object) would probably be a light source/ball. When you let go of it, it is lost forever and so is your "light". If we were talking religion here, this is the time where your "God" or savior would come save you and provide you with light.
( I meant to drop it for a reason) Actually, there could be thousands of reasons to USE Life/death, but there is only one meaning. I'll use your rock for example. It has many uses, but only one meaning. What the rock is used for and what it does are usually very similar. Same thing with life. It allows to do the things we want to do, but it is sometimes used for evil (only a certain part of life, though). It also tells us that if we throw away our life (kill ourselfs or die) that we cannot use it anymore. Life (if an object) would probably be a light source/ball. When you let go of it, it is lost forever and so is your "light". If we were talking religion here, this is the time where your "God" or savior would come save you and provide you with light.

Posted 4 years, 7 months ago

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