Is Meaning Really Just a Joke? :wink:

  • Thread starter Thread starter Iacchus32
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion centers on the philosophical debate regarding the existence of meaning in the universe, asserting that meaning is a human construct rather than an inherent quality of reality. Participants argue that while humans create narratives to ascribe meaning to their experiences, the universe itself remains indifferent to these interpretations. The conversation emphasizes that meaning varies for each individual and is shaped by personal experiences and perceptions, suggesting that the essence of existence is the primary meaning we derive from life.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of existential philosophy
  • Familiarity with concepts of subjective versus objective reality
  • Knowledge of human psychology and narrative construction
  • Awareness of philosophical discussions surrounding meaning and purpose
NEXT STEPS
  • Explore existentialism through texts by Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus
  • Research the concept of subjective reality in philosophy
  • Investigate psychological theories on meaning-making, such as Viktor Frankl's logotherapy
  • Examine the role of narrative in human cognition and its impact on perception of reality
USEFUL FOR

Philosophers, psychology students, and anyone interested in the nature of meaning and existence will benefit from this discussion, particularly those exploring the intersection of human experience and universal truths.

Iacchus32
Messages
2,315
Reaction score
1
You know what's funny, is that in a world which has no true meaning -- of course it does, otherwise how could these very words appear before you? -- that we sure take ourselves a bit too seriously! :wink: And then you want to pin me down, in all seriousness, and claim that http://www.dionysus.org/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=11. And yet what right do you have to claim anything is irrational, if there is no meaning to begin with? What a joke! :biggrin:

So, does meaning exist in the absolute sense? Yes! :biggrin:
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
AFAIK the only "true meaning" in the universe is from us, humans. So we are the agents that give meaning to the universe. And you say we take ourselves too seriously?
 
selfAdjoint said:
AFAIK the only "true meaning" in the universe is from us, humans. So we are the agents that give meaning to the universe. And you say we take ourselves too seriously?
Do you believe that reality is absolute? If so, then everything must be based upon that, right? In which case we must ask, what is this absolute reality and, how do we derive meaning?
 
selfAdjoint said:
AFAIK the only "true meaning" in the universe is from us, humans. So we are the agents that give meaning to the universe. And you say we take ourselves too seriously?

wow... that was really far out...
so it's in the nature of the true meaning to **** everything up that they're supposed to give meaning to? sounds like a pretty bad situation to me...
funny how humans respond so much like other animals in the majority of the things they do, if we're so special and supposed to give meaning... cause that could imply that we're acting a lot on instincs and not on rational thought, which imo would be the only meaningfull thing to do...

so, what meaning is it exactly we put into this universe? exept than being here? snails are here aswell, except they don't suffer from megalomania...
 
balkan said:
so, what meaning is it exactly we put into this universe? exept than being here? snails are here aswell, except they don't suffer from megalomania...
Do we put meaning into the Universe or, do we derive meaning from the Universe? For example, let's say for some reason we were to somehow mysteriously disappear, the Universe would still be here, right? (not unless that disappeared too?). So obviously, if there is any meaning to be had, it must be derived from the backdrop of that which already is. In which case our perceptions are merely different vantage points of the same Universal reality.
 
Last edited:
now, to me, the universe and we are eternal and infinite. we add our experience to the universe, and it is better for it. the universe, in turn, gives us this wonderful playground, in which we can experience.

this physical reality has a unique meaning and/or purpose for each of us.

love&peace,
olde drunk
 
Last edited:
Folks, meaning is a human thing. We're the ones that make up stories to pretend that the weather and behavior of animals and whatever happens to us in our lives "have meaning". The rest of the universe doesn't do that. Sure we're messed up, but a little less so than we used to be. Olde_drunk is perfectly right, the meaning of the universe is within each one of us, different for each one of us, and a part of each one's strategy for living.
 
The meaning is to exist. Every other meaning we make is just secondary.
 
Iacchus32 said:
Do you believe that reality is absolute? If so, then everything must be based upon that, right? In which case we must ask, what is this absolute reality and, how do we derive meaning?

What do you mean by an absolute reality?
 
  • #10
selfAdjoint said:
Folks, meaning is a human thing. We're the ones that make up stories to pretend that the weather and behavior of animals and whatever happens to us in our lives "have meaning". The rest of the universe doesn't do that. Sure we're messed up, but a little less so than we used to be. Olde_drunk is perfectly right, the meaning of the universe is within each one of us, different for each one of us, and a part of each one's strategy for living.
Either that or just an interpretation of a more Universal meaning. Hmm ... You seemed to have lost your objectivity here. Why is that?
 

Similar threads

Lightbulb Jokes - How Many Does it Take?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
5K
Undergrad No relativistic Bohmian mechanics and superluminal causation
  • · Replies 37 ·
2
Replies
37
Views
4K
Undergrad Can the "measurement problem" just be an "epistemological ambiguity"?
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
3K
How do encrypted USB flash drives work and how can we make them more secure?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
News Post-Scientific Technocratic Methodologies
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
3K
High School Question about quantum entanglement
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Is Discordianism a valid philosophy or just a joke?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Could Have Done Otherwise - What does it mean exactly?
  • · Replies 38 ·
2
Replies
38
Views
12K
Undergrad Does 'many worlds', imply worlds before the Big Bang?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Graduate Interpretations of the Aharonov-Bohm effect
  • · Replies 249 ·
9
Replies
249
Views
14K