- #61
Sho'Nuff
I'd be an indication that would support free will but the experiment is impossible
What is the Purpose of Life? The Universe's Audience
- Thread starter praveen
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Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the philosophical question of the purpose of life, exploring various perspectives on whether life has an inherent purpose or if individuals must create their own meaning. Participants engage with concepts related to happiness, reproduction, unity, and the nature of existence, with implications for both personal and broader existential inquiries.
Discussion Character
- Exploratory
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- Some participants propose that there is no objective purpose for humans, suggesting that individuals must find their own subjective purpose, often linked to happiness.
- Others argue that the purpose of life could be to unify with something else, with the choice of what to unify with being personal.
- One participant suggests that reproduction serves as a means of continuing one's existence through genes.
- A viewpoint is presented that questions why everything in the universe must have a purpose, proposing that actions can exist without a motive.
- Another participant asserts that nothing has purpose unless there is a conclusion, raising questions about the implications of a purposeless existence.
- Some express skepticism about the existence of a universal purpose, emphasizing the subjective nature of purpose in individual lives.
- There are discussions about the cyclical nature of existence and time, with references to philosophical and metaphorical interpretations of life and purpose.
- One participant reflects on the varying definitions of happiness and how different experiences can lead to different interpretations of what constitutes a meaningful life.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants express a range of views, with no consensus on the existence of a universal purpose. Some agree on the subjective nature of purpose, while others challenge the necessity of purpose in life and actions.
Contextual Notes
Participants explore complex philosophical questions without resolving the underlying assumptions about purpose, existence, and the nature of action. The discussion includes various interpretations of happiness and purpose, reflecting individual beliefs and experiences.
- #62
Addell
- 3
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Who is John Galt?
- #63
Rothiemurchus
- 203
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Life doesn't have a purpose.It is just the result of the activity of innumerable particles and waves.A plug has a purpose - to stop water going down a sink.In other words a plug is something that yields a result that humans want it to yield.Life would have a purpose if living things were doing something that a creator wanted them to do - just
as a plug does what its creator wants it to do.
as a plug does what its creator wants it to do.
- #64
omicron
- 46
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There are so many different opinions so it really matters how u see it. It also matters on ur religion (if u have one). Then again u can be sure about peoples opinion because they are always based on something (can be religion or how they live), it may be right to them but not to u. So it really depends on upraveen said:
- #65
Ivan Seeking
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The purpose of life? If we assume that "purpose" goes beyond the observer's own mind - you - to some greater Cosmic measure, then it is either to serve or commune with God, to commune or co-exist with the Cosmic Consciousness, or to be a meaningless bag of mostly water that has no purpose at all. You pick.
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- #66
scienceguy
- 12
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The purpose of life is different for everyone, but my guess is to pursue life and survive. It's kinda like asking the reason for our existence. There is no definite answer that would satisfy everyone.
- #67
bomba923
- 759
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omicron said:There are so many different opinions so it really matters how u see it. It also matters on ur religion (if u have one). Then again u can be sure about peoples opinion because they are always based on something (can be religion or how they live), it may be right to them but not to u. So it really depends on u
Relativistic, just as you say...
Just curious: would a known absolutist answer to that question make people feel happier? Well, let's say it's sort of a universalist absolute. You describe the meaning as relativistic across differentent peoples...but i am just curious though. Would an absolutist answer to that question make people feel happier? Also, would the world be a better place should there be universal agreement on this answer? Suppose this absolute answer complies with universalist philosophy, and then with a more negative philosophy--what would it be like?
- #68
AiA
- 103
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The answer is simple, to be happy.
In every action, we do it for some sake of self happiness. Even in happiness there is a standard, things that bring about momentary happiness obviously doesn't bring about as much happiness something that brings about non stopping happiness, (trandsendental happiness, beyond time) so it isn't as opinion based as some would think.
In every action, we do it for some sake of self happiness. Even in happiness there is a standard, things that bring about momentary happiness obviously doesn't bring about as much happiness something that brings about non stopping happiness, (trandsendental happiness, beyond time) so it isn't as opinion based as some would think.
- #69
Erazman
- 65
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The universe needs an audience.
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