Question. What Is The Meaning Of Life?

[nailit]

Answer. There isnt one. This can be the only rational response.
There is no *ultimate* meaning, although we are all capable of making *a* meaning of our individual existance.

For some, such as christians and muslims, the meaning of life is to get themselves a place in paradise. But this doesnt answer the question, it only removes it a step. What then is the meaning of a life lived eternally?
For others who believe in reincarnation, the meaning is to become perfect/reach Nirvana/or whatever but doesnt answer the question. Again, it only removes it a step. What is the actual *meaning* of it all?

The only rational response to the big question must be there IS no ultimate meaning. Each and everyone of us are only here due to a chance meeting of a sperm meeting an egg.
We are born and then we die, like everything else in nature. A zebra's life has had no meaning when its been eaten alive by a lion. A tree's life has had no meaning when its been chopped down for firewood.
I totally fail to see why the religious cannot grasp a simple truth.

I would love to be proved wrong though.

[nailit]

//Personally, I am just as incline to waste my time asking how a cauliflower works//
Dont know why, but THAT just made me laugh!!
Just about sum's up my point as well!

[woofgang]

andy-hughes woofgang - // I don't think that Christianity (don't know enough about Islam) focusses on getting through earthly life simply to get a place in heaven. I was certainly never taught that. //

"That makes you WELL out of step with the fervents on here Woofs!!"

For which i am DEVOUTLY grateful

[MallyJ]

I agree with you ...essentially human life has no more meaning than any other animals life. Trouble is humans seem to think they re better than other creatures and generally seem to be intent of destroying the natural world..sad.

[mibn2cweus]

I reckon my methods are a little different than most I've discussed such issues with but my first step in exploration of meaning of any term typically involves opening up a dictionary. This might seem a rather shallow approach to some over a question of soon to be revealed profound depth. I'm open to any suggestions of a better approach to dipping one's toe in the water.

[andy-hughes]

Mally - // Trouble is humans seem to think they re better than other creatures and generally seem to be intent of destroying the natural world..sad. //

I'm not sure it's that humans think they are 'better' per se, more that, as far as we know, they are the only creatures capable of thinking outside themselves, and comparing themselves to any other species.

[Old_Geezer]

What is the meaning of anything ?
Perhaps you need to seek out a deity and ask.

In any case, if time is an illusion, an idea I presently favour, then there is no becoming and thus no end goal. Which I interpret is what questions about meaning refer to.

Most likely existence isn't optional. May as well ask what the meaning of all non-existing things is. What is, is. What isn't, isn't. Just need to make the most of it according to your personal view.

[Old_Geezer]

Not a question of better, just at or near the top of the evolutionary advancement tree. In the sense that we can ponder such questions and seek to satisfy our curiosity and are capable of projects, such as moon landings and launch space craft exiting our local area of the universe, or advances in medicine, for example. Aside from that all species, as a species, favour their own and try to survive & flourish regardless of other species.

[naomi24]

Nailit, //If theres life after death, whats the point in dying in the first place just to continue existing?//

That made me laugh out loud. If only you could award yourself Best Answer. :o)

To claim life has specific meaning suggests design, but nature does what nature does. Like everything else, we live, we die. Whether or not ‘souls’ - the essence of our being - survive, is debateable.

[burlyshirley]

Not debateable for me, as I've already explained to you before naomi!!

[naomi24]

It’s all about ‘proof’ Shirley - that’s the problem. Some of us are in no doubt that odd things happen - but proving it is something else entirely - which makes it debateable.

[Old_Geezer]

Maybe it's a bit like, what's the point of leaving school just to continue learning at the university ?

[burlyshirley]

Not for me, I had my proof to hold in my hand.

[naomi24]

Shirley, I meant proving it to others.

[allenlondon]

mibn2cweus. Interesting answer, though I fear it's a bit like going into Prime Minister's Question Time and reading them a line or two of philosophy. Might quieten them for a moment, but blink, and they'd be back to yah-booing.

I'll look out for your posts.

A

[Bazile]

//..Trouble is humans seem to think they re better than other creature..//

Really - have you seen some of those cocky lions in those wild life programmes ?

[mibn2cweus]

A - I'll do my best to oblige.
To my way of thinking, without life there is no means of or purpose for sensory experience, perception or consciousness leading ultimately to thought and reason, apart from which meaning would be rendered meaningless.
You might find more of my ramblings in 'Related Questions' at bottom of page.

[goodlife]

My search for the meaning of life took about 20 years. Two things helped me find it: science and the Bible. My study of science confirmed that life must have meaning. But the Bible revealed that meaning to me and helped me understand it, and I am not going into debate about it. it's your life it's up to you, whether you lose it or gain the purpose of life .(John 17:3)

[andy-hughes]

goodlife - // it's your life it's up to you, whether you lose it or gain the purpose of life .(John 17:3) //

You simply can't resist it can you?

The bible quote and the veiled threat - always offered from your imagined superior position because you 'understand' and no-one else does.

Such insecurity that drives you always to stand on the moral high ground should concern you - it is not at all Christian to threaten anyone else - unless of course it's your God doing it, but that doesn't actually count obviously.

[fcc]

If there is life after death what's the point in dying in the first ,
what about a caterpiller dying and turning into a butterfly?

[andy-hughes]

fcc - // what about a caterpiller dying and turning into a butterfly? //

A caterpillar does not die when it turns into a butterfly - it mutates, but it remains alive throughout the process.

If the caterpillar did die during the process, the mutation would stop and the caterpillar would remain at what ever stage it had reached at the time of death, and simply decay until nothing was left.