Life has NO purpose

[Radu]

This discussion now reminds me of the book Way of the Superior Man by David Deida, which I recommend. The idea that we all have one thing that is "in resonance with something in us" as Kika says is presented in that book as "our gift" that only we can give to the world. I can't say that I agree in theory with this rather esoteric view, but it is a useful mindset to have? Yes.

[nightdiamond]

I agree 100% with Kika, Stephen...

I think the orginal idea is maybe that there is a wise bearded old man sitting on a throne in the clouds who has our grand purpose, or meaning to life... our mission is to receive it from him and we'll be happy afterwards...

If he doesn't exists, then there is no purpose, or meaning to life, because he created everything and knows everything and therefore, holds the meaning of life....

I feel that is another example of an extremist view,
or an extremist conclusion, like, ' money is bad and it's impossible to ever become enlightened as long as you have it' ....

What I have found concerning this concept is, if you're doing something that you enjoy, like for example, exploring ocean life and discovering bizarre new life forms, painting your ultimate painting, going out to dance every night, simply growing your favorite flowers as hobby, dating a beautiful woman or handsome man or women and men, ect, you'll rarely find oneself wondering if life has any meaning...

When someone has these things to do each and every day, their life is too filled with activities that energize their minds and bodies to wonder if life has any meaning... to put it bluntly, they're satisified and busy having too much fun!
They think about these things less.......

But another opinion I have is that with the idea of whether life has any meaning or not, you have to be specific with what you mean... 'life has any meaning' is too vague...if there is a higher power or intelligence that grants what you seek, it will still not "understand" the request because it's not clear enough...I've learned that the mind and subsconcious tends to respond to specific requests or try to respond as best as possible....
....... that's why I like to use 'happy' as an example....

When someone says ' I just want to be happy' we can understand the basic idea, but, what does that person mean by happy? What would make them happy? If that person asked you to make them happy, what would be the first thing you would ask that person?

So when you think of a meaning to life, what is it that you really mean when you think about it? Perhaps something like, is there another life beyond this life? Would it make you feel more comfortable to know that for example, and lead you to feel there is a purpose? Then pursuing this concept would make a great purpose!

I agree kika, having more than just one grand purpose makes sense...it protects one from the "Ok, I've done it, NOW WHAT?" scenario.....

Take care everybody, see you later....

[Stephen]

We have to live without excuse from now on, without a transcendent crutch, without a purpose or a meaning. There is no designer who made us according to some pre-conceived pattern. We have to make ourselves in a world we did not choose. Life is contingent and can be snuffed out at any second, will be snuffed out at some second in the future. Our existence is de trop, superfluous, extraneous to requirements. Every one must live with a kind of ontological insecurity induced by the awareness of mortality. This is the famous `Existential Angst' or `Dread' signified by a black beret and turtleneck sweater, French cigarettes and espresso. We must lose the last of our innocence, or fall back into self-deception. We have to find a way to live with anxiety and to use its energy creatively, not escape into bad faith. Our situation in the world is risky and scary, but we have to face up to it.

Couldnt put it better myself

[Plato]

I'm not sure we can't define the best life for man, or at least create something that would be of benefit to us all. I'm talking Aristotelian virtue ethics or perhaps Thomism as models for what is possible...

...and if we can't define the best life for man then I suppose Nietzsche was right. The irrational will rules all and perhaps I will become an ubermensch.

[AttractIt]

Originally Posted by Plato

I'm not sure we can't define the best life for man, or at least create something that would be of benefit to us all. I'm talking Aristotelian virtue ethics or perhaps Thomism as models for what is possible...

...and if we can't define the best life for man then I suppose Nietzsche was right. The irrational will rules all and perhaps I will become an ubermensch.

The definition will be probably so broad, that we will have to redefine what is definition..

[hkalchemy]

Struggling with the question of whether life has 'meaning' is like a fly struggling in the cobweb, as Alan Watts might have said. Lying quietly increases our chance of success.