The Meaning of Life
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=AgfL6knqrM3xnxZbervOFeuGxQt.?qid=20070323212127AAFrLIm
My answer, posted on the page:
Ah, I dunno about that. I would have to say that there is most likely a meaning to life more than just sitting here and reproducing. I'd say the meaning of life is to make a difference, to leave your mark on the world in a positive way. If you've died without even doing anything, even if you reproduced, you didn't contribute to the world, and you failed, in my opinion.
See, the meaning of life is to leave your mark on the world. Right now, we've got problems in the world that we as a species need to figure out how to solve.
We need to figure out how to get our hides off of Earth, for one thing. Space research is doing incredibly well, but more could be put into it. The sun is going to eventually end its life cycle as a star, and become a Red Giant, which would engulf the Earth with its mass.
We need to figure out how to keep nukes out of the hands of dictators. We can't have North Korea, or Iran, or anywhere producing nukes. It's not that we should in the U.S., either. We need to ban nukes, because they are so destructive, it's pointless. We need to join together as a species in order to solve the bigger problems.
Lastly, we've got global warming. Obviously, this has finally been proven, and there is some action going on to prevent it. But, I'd have to say that this planet is like a ticking time bomb. We can basically either try to stop global warming, or again, get our butts off of Earth.
So sure, you can live, reproduce, and die, but that's definetly not a fullfilled life. In order for a person to have succeeded in life, they'd have to at least do something to leave a positive impact on the world.
We need to settle down, forget about money, and start researching the things that are actually important for the survival of the human race. We need to stop blowing ourselves and our planet up, or we're all going to pay dearly, which we're already starting to see with the increased hurricanes.
Bottom line: I'm not positive if there's a meaning to life, but if there is, it's gotta be to help out humanity in one of its many growing problems.
I wrote this completely by myself.
So what do you guys think?
Mr.Q wrote:i think this because life only serves a purpose. and that is to sustain life and continue with the evolution process. nothing more nothing less. no meaning just a purpose.
however, the experiencer of life can make a meaning out of his temorary existence. but one individuals meaning to life is different to another individuals meaning to his life. both are different experiences with different subjective opinions to the importance of there private existences. neither is more right nor wrong then the others. the only "meaning" or "value" to life is the one that you give to it. there is NO definitive objectified meaning to life. only the one you give to it. and thats it, and all that matter is how you see it. so in the end there is no definate answer to the meaning of life because there isnt one. just a short lived opinion of millions of others. what do you think?
BTW: please dont answer with god theories. at no point does god make sense in anything in reality accept to religeon.
Additional Details
18 minutes ago
people like to think that thy're life there love and themselves are meaningful and something special. when in reality we al die and we are no better or worse then an ant
My answer, posted on the page:
Ah, I dunno about that. I would have to say that there is most likely a meaning to life more than just sitting here and reproducing. I'd say the meaning of life is to make a difference, to leave your mark on the world in a positive way. If you've died without even doing anything, even if you reproduced, you didn't contribute to the world, and you failed, in my opinion.
See, the meaning of life is to leave your mark on the world. Right now, we've got problems in the world that we as a species need to figure out how to solve.
We need to figure out how to get our hides off of Earth, for one thing. Space research is doing incredibly well, but more could be put into it. The sun is going to eventually end its life cycle as a star, and become a Red Giant, which would engulf the Earth with its mass.
We need to figure out how to keep nukes out of the hands of dictators. We can't have North Korea, or Iran, or anywhere producing nukes. It's not that we should in the U.S., either. We need to ban nukes, because they are so destructive, it's pointless. We need to join together as a species in order to solve the bigger problems.
Lastly, we've got global warming. Obviously, this has finally been proven, and there is some action going on to prevent it. But, I'd have to say that this planet is like a ticking time bomb. We can basically either try to stop global warming, or again, get our butts off of Earth.
So sure, you can live, reproduce, and die, but that's definetly not a fullfilled life. In order for a person to have succeeded in life, they'd have to at least do something to leave a positive impact on the world.
We need to settle down, forget about money, and start researching the things that are actually important for the survival of the human race. We need to stop blowing ourselves and our planet up, or we're all going to pay dearly, which we're already starting to see with the increased hurricanes.
Bottom line: I'm not positive if there's a meaning to life, but if there is, it's gotta be to help out humanity in one of its many growing problems.
I wrote this completely by myself.
So what do you guys think?
Comments
I also think that this view is depressing, but probably close to the truth. It kinda sucks to think that there might be no God, no divine being with a plan, or no real reason for existence, and that the values we hold so dear (don't kill innocent people) are just subjective rules attempting to bring some order to the chaos of life. But it's nice that we don't have to openly face that chaos daily. We still can fall back on the set of mores our society holds in common and most of the time feel like they're absolute. Of course, what the rules are is a major source of conflict, but sometimes it's necessary to keep the peace.
As to what constitutes a fulfilled life.. well I'm in the process of figuring that out right now. Aristotle (I think) said that a life is not lived well unless that person has pursued the greater good over his/her own personal good. While this sounds noble and heroic, what's the point in generation after generation of self-sacrificing drones, always making things good for others? When does humanity get to reap the benefits of this altruism? On the other side of the coin, my emotions tell me that a fulfilled life is one where the person finds his happiness and doesn't impede the happiness of others. The logical side of my brain tells me that this is selfish, and everyone searching for their own pleasure will bring progress to a halt and then all we'll have is misery.
I think the answer, just like everything else, it seems, is the middle ground. Try to balance the greater good and your own happiness. This is difficult, but if done properly, the best way to live, I think.
And that's the abstract answer. The concrete answer? I think the best thing humanity could do is stop making so many damn babies. Reduce the population to a managable level and keep it that way. A lot of society's problems come from too many people spread too far out. Why are cars so necessary in America? Partially because we're so spread out but need to be so connected. If we could reduce our numbers and reduce the area we cover, we could limit our pollution output and oil usage. There would be fewer people to take into consideration when legislation is passed, the list could go on and on. I'll stop here, mostly because I don't know how to actually do this without controlling people's lives.
l[imac]f; akin to D. lijf body, G. leib body, MHG. l[imac]p
life, body, OHG. l[imac]b life, Icel. l[imac]f, life, body,
Sw. lif, Dan. liv, and E. live, v. [root]119. See {Live}, and
cf. {Alive}.]
1. The state of being which begins with generation, birth, or
germination, and ends with death; also, the time during
which this state continues; that state of an animal or
plant in which all or any of its organs are capable of
performing all or any of their functions; -- used of all
animal and vegetable organisms.
[1913 Webster]
2. Of human beings: The union of the soul and body; also, the
duration of their union; sometimes, the deathless quality
or existence of the soul; as, man is a creature having an
immortal life.
[1913 Webster]
She shows a body rather than a life. --Shak.
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3. (Philos.) The potential principle, or force, by which the
organs of animals and plants are started and continued in
the performance of their several and cooperative
functions; the vital force, whether regarded as physical
or spiritual.
[1913 Webster]
4. Figuratively: The potential or animating principle, also,
the period of duration, of anything that is conceived of
as resembling a natural organism in structure or
functions; as, the life of a state, a machine, or a book;
authority is the life of government.
[1913 Webster]
5. A certain way or manner of living with respect to
conditions, circumstances, character, conduct, occupation,
etc.; hence, human affairs; also, lives, considered
collectively, as a distinct class or type; as, low life; a
good or evil life; the life of Indians, or of miners.
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That which before us lies in daily life. --Milton.
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By experience of life abroad in the world. --Ascham.
[1913 Webster]
Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime. --Longfellow.
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'T is from high life high characters are drawn.
--Pope
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6. Animation; spirit; vivacity; vigor; energy.
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No notion of life and fire in fancy and in words.
--Felton.
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That gives thy gestures grace and life.
--Wordsworth.
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7. That which imparts or excites spirit or vigor; that upon
which enjoyment or success depends; as, he was the life of
the company, or of the enterprise.
[1913 Webster]
8. The living or actual form, person, thing, or state; as, a
picture or a description from, the life.
[1913 Webster]
9. A person; a living being, usually a human being; as, many
lives were sacrificed.
[1913 Webster]
10. The system of animal nature; animals in general, or
considered collectively.
[1913 Webster]
Full nature swarms with life. --Thomson.
[1913 Webster]
11. An essential constituent of life, esp: the blood.
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The words that I speak unto you . . . they are
life. --John vi. 63.
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The warm life came issuing through the wound.
--Pope
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12. A history of the acts and events of a life; a biography;
as, Johnson wrote the life of Milton.
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13. Enjoyment in the right use of the powers; especially, a
spiritual existence; happiness in the favor of God;
heavenly felicity.
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14. Something dear to one as one's existence; a darling; --
used as a term of endearment.
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Note: Life forms the first part of many compounds, for the
most part of obvious meaning; as, life-giving,
life-sustaining, etc.
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{Life annuity}, an annuity payable during one's life.
{Life arrow}, {Life rocket}, {Life shot}, an arrow, rocket,
or shot, for carrying an attached line to a vessel in
distress in order to save life.
{Life assurance}. See {Life insurance}, below.
{Life buoy}. See {Buoy}.
{Life car}, a water-tight boat or box, traveling on a line
from a wrecked vessel to the shore. In it person are
hauled through the waves and surf.
{Life drop}, a drop of vital blood. --Byron.
{Life estate} (Law), an estate which is held during the term
of some certain person's life, but does not pass by
inheritance.
{Life everlasting} (Bot.), a plant with white or yellow
persistent scales about the heads of the flowers, as
{Antennaria}, and {Gnaphalium}; cudweed.
{Life of an execution} (Law), the period when an execution is
in force, or before it expires.
{Life guard}. (Mil.) See under {Guard}.
{Life insurance}, the act or system of insuring against
death; a contract by which the insurer undertakes, in
consideration of the payment of a premium (usually at
stated periods), to pay a stipulated sum in the event of
the death of the insured or of a third person in whose
life the insured has an interest.
{Life interest}, an estate or interest which lasts during
one's life, or the life of another person, but does not
pass by inheritance.
{Life land} (Law), land held by lease for the term of a life
or lives.
{Life line}.
(a) (Naut.) A line along any part of a vessel for the
security of sailors.
(b) A line attached to a life boat, or to any life saving
apparatus, to be grasped by a person in the water.
{Life rate}, rate of premium for insuring a life.
{Life rent}, the rent of a life estate; rent or property to
which one is entitled during one's life.
{Life school}, a school for artists in which they model,
paint, or draw from living models.
{Lifetable}, a table showing the probability of life at
different ages.
{To lose one's life}, to die.
{To seek the life of}, to seek to kill.
{To the life}, so as closely to resemble the living person or
the subject; as, the portrait was drawn to the life.
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-- From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48