what do you think our purpose in this world is? is there a meaning to life? i always wonder if there is some greater goal i should be trying to achieve or if life is basically meaningless.

Maybe my pessimism about life is related to my nonbelief in god...do you think that people who believe in god have more if an ideal to strive for in life?

so ultimately i wonder why are we here? happiness seems so hard to obtain...is that all there is for us?

Post I: Meaning.

Your life has whatever meaning you choose to give it. Meaning is not predetermined before you're born. It's your life. It is for you, nobody else, to decide what your life means. If you don't believe in a god, this just gives you greater freedom in determining your own goals.

Post II: Happiness.

I think a problem in our societies, in the West, is that we conceive of happiness as a thing to be obtained, or a state that you remain in. So we strive to gain "happiness" or to "be happy", and we're disappointed. I think the root of this disappointment is that happiness is not a state, nor is it an object of attainment. Happiness is an activity. The striving is happiness. The ancient Greeks knew this; happiness is something you do, not something you are.

Exactlly as Commie said. Its your choice. I once heard someone say that everyone needs something to believe in. Weather its god or a lover or yourself and your goals. Of course you'll feel like life is a waste if you dont believe in _something_ but the truth is, most of us do. The hard thing is figuring out what that something is.

I have to admit, I do sometimes feel that people who have a belief in God have a more fulfilled life then me. I suppose it's because I envy somewhat that they will always have that comfort when things are difficult.

Meaning of life? In my opinion it's what you make of it. There's no magic formula and no one's going to hand it to you on a plate.

*wow - two posts in Issues in one sitting, I must be unwell. Or talking arse*

but don't you ever just lay in your bed at night and ponder the universe...how can it be infinite? it makes me feel so lost. i can see how life is whatever you make it but how can this be all there is...dont you ever wonder what happens when you die? could this be hell?

It could be hell, I suppose. No one really knows for sure what happens in the future. No one really knows whats out in the rest of the universe. In fact, it may not even be infinite. It could just be very large. But if theres an ending whats past the ending? Is time travel possible? If so, have people from the future discovered how to come to the past? Is there people from the future around us now? Am I from the future and dont know it? Why does my pinky toe have one joint and not two?

I could go on.... The last one was just to be funny.... But it was getting at the 'evolution' thing. The thing is, if you keep asking yourself these questions you'll forever be lost and be asking questions that no one really has an answer to. My suggestion, and its what I do too, is figure out an answer for it. Or, just leave it be and tell yourself that no one really knows and its okay to wonder about it, but seeking an absolute answer isnt going to happen.

42...

42...

42...

/spam

Seriously though... Some people cannot comprehend the universe being infinite, but I don't see there being any other thing but an infinite universe (not that I can imagine it... We can try). Think of a container. Outside of that container there is more space, which could also be considered container. Now again, and again. There's always something more; the same is true of ones life. No matter what you do you can always do more, but that doesn't mean we are capable of the infinite ammount of more we can do. We can come up with a set number of possibilities for mathematic equations, but nothing in life is really as concrete as a formula. We just can't conceive infinite to the extent it truely is, but some can comprehend it better than others.

There is no meaning to life. None. Assuming that is, that there is no divine being.

If we assume that there IS a divine being, take your pick of world religions, and delve into whatever holy books, religious texts and theological writings - there's thousands of years worth of pondering on the meaning of life.

So, let's go back to the assumption that there is no divine being. Without a diving being, where is this supposed meaning supposed to come from? More imporantly why is there a meaning to life. If we're assuming that there is no overarching paternal floating beard in the sky, then we're the result of a hideously improbably set of events that took place over several billion years, then why would there be meaning? Where would that meaning come from? There isn't anywhere. The very concept of 'meaning of life' implies a divine being.

So, with your nonbelief in god, there is no book you can pick up that will consisely explain how to live your life, what your rewards for living that way will be and what's 'good' and what's 'bad'. That may seem scary, not having easy answers available.

Well, I ask you, why would you want easy answers? Because I'm pretty sure that not all of the world religions are right. Which also implies that at least some of them are giving the wrong answers. Which ones? Where's the Which magazine survey of best religions? I want to know which religion offers the best after-sales service, and which one will renege on it's warranty. Nobody can give me that information, so I'm steering clear.

Which leaves me with the option of defining my own goals, my own morality and my own meaning. For instance, I don't kill people. Not because it's one of the 10 commandments, but because I feel I have no moral right to do so. I'm not going to cheat on my wife. Not because of the judeo-christian belief in monogamy, but because the two of us decided when we got married that we were going to be monogamous (or at the outside polygamous with the other's full consent). I don't want to lead a 'good' life so that I qualify for the afterlife of my choice. I try and lead a good life to earn the respect of those I in turn respect, but more importanly to earn respect for myself.

So, the universe is infinite. So what? I'm unlikely to leave this planet in my lifetime, certainly not planning on leaving the solar system. So why do I need to concern myself with worrying about whether the universe is actually infinite or not? It has no impact on me one way or the other.

</rambling>

Assuming that there is purpose, and meaning for human life, I doubt it will be the same for each person. We are neither clones, nor automaton. We are each individuals, and lead seperate lives. As such, our goals should be different, and so, nobody else can tell you what your goals should be. The purpose of your life can only truly be determined by you.


Read some existential philosophy. While having a belief in a god can help, and give more of an ideal, not having a belief in a god doesn't remove the ideal, just makes it more difficult to logically find.



I don't believe that it is infinite, but, barring that, yes, we are tiny, we are insignificant, but we must still exist, and why bother not enjoying ourselves because of something we cannot change, nor are we responsible for it.

I believe that there is more than one universe, but each universe contains all the other ones. Not like russian dolls, but more like... Well, I can't actualy explain it...

I don't believe in any certain faith, but I do believe that if someone believes in something very strongly then it is true and real for them.

If you are a good Christian, then you will go to heaven. If you are good in this life, and you believe in reincarnation, then you will get a good next life.

I can't really explain this very well. But I tried

daria i think that was my favorite answer...i never thought of it that way but it makes so much sense...thank you

I think you were just looking for an answer where everything that anyone ever says is 'right' You're not looking for someone to tell you that everything is uncertain and no one can know for sure.... Am I right?

No worries. But I agree with K!77y- You seem to just need reassurance.
The world is not a nice place, all sort of s****y stuff happens, all the time. Most of which we are oblivious to. You can't really plan out your whole life in conjunction to things which seem solid and everlasting as those things will inevitably change. Wars come and go, people live and die, us humans seem to f*** everything up. And we still don't know how we got here (for certain) and what we are meant to be doing. There are some who need instruction, who need to be coddled and told everything is going to be ok and that if they do certain things in life then things will be great for them after they die. Which is very important for most people; they don't know for sure what is going on now, but if they know what will be happening, then it gives some sort of security to something which so little is known about.
Then there are others who just look over the cliff edge and just think "oh yeah. Now lets go home, have a cup of tea, and think about going to the beach."

Probably makes no sense, but it just seemed to run from my fingers so I let it.

i wasnt looking for an easy answer...i've been reading a book for school for summer reading and it just made me wonder...i was just curious as to how others viewed our purpose...i just wanted to know what gets people thru the day...i realize that i came off as sounding like i just wanted a straight up answer, but it wasn't just that. i dont want all the answers, i just happened to like the way daria interprets the universe.

Yeah, I understand that. In fact, it seems very nice to me too. And I'd love to believe it. I think of life like that sometimes. But it never lasts for long. I just cant let myself think of the universe in just one way. I cant think of life in just one way. Its all very very comforting to have an answer to things, and to like an answer that makes everything easy.

I just dont want someone to get caught up in just one reason and live by that for forever, because nothing is ever certain, so someone shouldnt be taught to think that things are always certain.

Edit: I hope I dont sound mean, I dont mean to.

I don't think that sounds mean at all. I believe that lives are only part of our journey as souls and each life holds a lesson all souls need to learn to become fulfilled. Thus I think of life as something ever changing also. To put it in (probably over-) simplified terms; at some point in your life you will probably have someone you love die - your purpose at that point is to work though the grief without losing your own humanity and to learn to live normally again without forgetting the person you lost. At another point you may be a new parent - your purpose at that point is to learn how to care for another being who is totally dependant on you. Life changes as do we and as I see it the purpose of life changes too.

Sorry, I miss-interpreted your first bit.

It will sound morbid, but I believe death is the only constant.
I also sort of believe in this idea that we all have maps in our heads.
It has everything we will ever do, say, think, learn. Everything in it. It will also have who we will meet, what relationships we will have etc, so therefore all maps are linked to form one big layered thing which as well as containing all the stuff from our time, also has all the stuff from all the time before, and also all the time in the future. It is also multi dimensional, and so things can travel through it as well as along it.
And I don't think it ever stops. But then you would be getting into quantum mechanics and I am too tired for those right now.

Yes, they are complicated. but I also agree that daria's idea is quite accurate. But wheather or not there is a pre-determined path for my life, multi-universes or any gods, to me life doesnt have a meaning but it is what you make of it. I believe in following a religion because it help fill the void of possibly being alone in the universe. If there is no point in life or any goals to achieve, make some up, and strive towards them all the time. Thats all i really have to say.

I agree with this. I also disagree when people say that life is pointless. I believe life’s not pointless it just can't be explained.

But are they just deluding themselves? (I was going to post "They're just deluding themselves", but I suddenly felt all diplomatic and stuff)

What is our purpose in this world? To consume! *Buys stuff!*

We grow up, we shag, we have kids, we die.

End of.

Yet another contructive post brought to you by little_bear.

No purpose, and it's rather egotistical to think that we do.

What is the purpose of dust? The colour yellow? The number 4?

We exist. What we choose to do with this is up to us.

Then what would be the point of having kids? Because I believe it's not the end exactly, you pass on your gene (sorry if I spelt the word wrong) so if you think about it apart of you is still on earth, alive. I believe that there is a reason for everything but it can't always be explained.

Hmm, tbh, we don't pass on little bits of ourselves. We pass on genetic information - the sperm and the egg are just means to passing on that information. Once I die, that's it. There will be no 'little bit of me' washing around in my kids (if I have any) or in their kids, imo.

Asking what is the 'point' of having kids is a rather odd question. It happens natually. It's not like we can 'stop' it. We do it out of an instinctive desire to pass on our genes, and to a certain extent, advance the species.

Some things just don't have a reason. They just are. Don't ask me to explain it. I don't believe there is any 'grand reason' for us to be here, nor do we have any 'grand purpose' in what we are to achieve.

Unless however you believe in life after death which really isn't just the end more of moving on and a change. It could also be argued though in religious ways saying that what you do on earth determines what will happen after death in you next life and is more of a test or the way you live you life on earth that determines what your next life will be like after death. Not saying it’s true just looking at the different possibilities or reasons.

Tohru Honda of Fruits Basket basically sums up what I think about the reason of life.

I quote, "...Really, there might not be anyone who was born with a reason. I think that everyone might have to find one on their own: a reason for being born, a reason that it's okay to be alive, a reason to exist. I think that everyone might have to find it themselves and decide it for themselves. It might be your dreams, your job, or a person. The reason you're looking for might be vague, unclear, and uncertain. And you might lose it, but as long as you're alive, you have to keep searching for that reason."

For example, I haven't found my reason, yet, but I'm searching. And I know that one day, I'll find that reason. Also, if I can have my choice, I would like my reason to lie in another person. Someone who, as Tohru puts it, "I want to eat takoyaki with more than anyone else." However, my reason could lie in any number of things, and I could even have multiple reasons. The same is true for everyone, I believe. We just need to keep searching and never give up.

To cause allergies.

To make buttercups pretty.

To stop a lot of bigger numbers standing around feeling bloody stupid. And to make the number 16

Everything is the way it is because of 42. Life, the universe, and everything. The whole shebang. I honestly think that things happen because we make them happen. If you worry too much about things being made to happen by the deity of your choice then you'll just end up twitching away in a corner at the vast insanity of it all. We're here to do things. They may be major, they may be minor, but what we do will affect something else. Think the butterfly effect here. Life itself is here to keep the universe from being too predictable and boring. I don't much buy into anything else. What we *should* do is a completely different argument for some other time, but that'll just make everyone fuss about relative morality, so I won't start a thread about it.

to have parties and set off fireworks

we are here to live, enjoy it, and make it enjoyable for others both now and to come.

thus look after the planet, yourself and each other - but take the time to enjoy the fruits of your labour.

The reason is yours to find, the meaning is time its self, god is just a gift, the Gift Of Divinity, its inside all of us….
The universe is infinite through its design; look into the infinite and all the answers can be found just keep looking…..
As for the next life, hope to see you there…. Imagination is the key the key to unlocking the secrets that time would have us all forget… learn to stop time and whole new meaning to life will present its self¿¿¿¿