What Is the Meaning of Meaning?

[Evo]

we feel the need o discover why we are here. but who sa's that it is a self discovery thing, orthat once we find(if we havn't already) that anyone important in the world of philosphy of importance like the pope will acept and have many people acept it? it could be so it is a bound and gagged so we find it, all find nothing to do, kill ourselves, and it turns out there isn't one.

Obviously English is not your first language, but your posts make no sense.

 

[CaptainQuasar]

If it's really that English is not your first language, rather than you're a severely inebriated English speaker, I would warn you that you probably almost never want to include the phrase "bound and gagged" in a sentence. And actually, severely inebriated English speakers should avoid that too.

 

[_Mayday_]

We are biological survival mechanisms for our genes are we not? In other words, our aim is to replicate, is it not?

 

[Moridin]

I think it is quite easy to confuse "meaning of life" with "meaning in life".

 

[moving finger]

For a lot of people but probably not all, either meaning or purpose are just a way to ask for a reason to get up in the morning. It can be merely a sign of disinterest or depression from people looking for motivation, for a pep talk that rejuvenates them and gives them new energy to carry on. When "what's the point" can be given a satisfying answer then life becomes interesting again, people are happier and become more productive. The answer doesn't even have to be correct or relevant, it only needs to be acceptable by the one who asks the question in order to produce the desired effect. That's one reason why religion works so well for so many people.

So why should life have a meaning? Not out of metaphysical necessity, just to be happy.

Excellent post. I know many of my religious friends find it difficult to understand why people who do not believe in any ultimate meaning (purpose) to life are not all suicidal.

True happiness (for me) lies in finding happiness in life even though one accepts there is no ultimate purpose (meaning) to that life.

The past is history, the future a mystery. Today is a gift, that's why we call it the present. Enjoy it.

 

[_Mayday_]

I think it depends who you ask to question to. If you spoke to a biologist he/she is most likely to say to reproduce, and pass your genes on to the next generation.

 

[baywax]

Some people ask about "the meaning of life".

But what does it then mean that one's life or "anything" has a "meaning" ?

But what is then the meaning of the meaning, and why is meaning such a good thing to have ? Why isn't the condition of "no meaning at all" bether than the condition of "having a meaning" ?

What is then meaning ?

Nietzche speaks about the new meaning about everything and why values have to be reorientated and rechoosed or reevaluated, but I can not see that he give any arguments why there should be a meaning at all ?

What is "meaning" and why is "meaning" such a good thing, and why is not "meaningsless" or "freedom from meaning" a more preferable condition ?

If "meaning" should be something importent or preferable is it then a good idea to live ones life without knowing what meaning is, or why it is important ?

Its a subjective question with a subjective answer. One person's meaning is another's "whatever". So the word and definition of "meaning' is only relative to one person at a time. Everyone pretends its a universal term but when you break down each person's idea of what a "meaning" is, you are going to get a wide variety of definitions and answers.

In the end the question should be posed like... 'what does your life mean to you?" And then collect individual answers that are relative to the life of each person.

One would say the meaning of their life was that they could eat the best pizza all the time.

One would say something about discovering cold fusion.

One would say the meaning of their life was how it afforded them so many experiences.

One might say the meaning of their life was to go to war and keep the flag out of the mud.

One might say the meaning of their life was that they were able to explain the meaning of their life.

And, like the differences in snowflakes, each answer would only resemble the next because... it was an answer to a question.

 

[jonnyknows]

Alright want a simple answer?
The meaning of life is whatever you want it to be. like honestly, think about it. none the less i myself have never sought after an answer to that question. Except my meaning is to be a better person for no reason at all, and anyways I enjoy making others happy. No one's meaning can possibly be the same alltogether. kind of like religious people. You don't find the same beliefs in all of them some of them think of it slightly different or some may think very different and some do think the same. But life means life itself and life applies to everyone. So therefore you should think about yourself and what you want your meaning to be. Unless you enjoy others telling ou what your going to do.