The Meaning of Life

[quatona]

Right, but the constructs aren't just purely created abstractions without roots in the concrete objective world beyond our subjectivity.

Says who?
I´m willing to play devil´s advocate and claim the opposite.



Sorry, I put one too many negations there. Should've read:

"I didn't say they commit suicide over a philosophical position, nihilism. I mean they commit suicide because of *their* nihilism, lack of meaning."

I honestly think you should be more careful in the choice of crucial terms. Nihilism is a philosophical position (which, among other issues, addresses the question of meaning of/in life). It´s not the state of a person who - for whatever reason - is lacking meaning in their life.

On another note, there are several needs that - if permanently unfulfilled - may drive a person to commit suicide. An unfulfilled need for meaning is one of them.

To me, pure and simple, the biggest reason for suicide -- probably at heart the only reason -- is hopelessness, and this much has been pointed out by the research again and again. Hopelessness means having no meaning toward which your life can be directed.

Well, there you go again with conveniently lumping different concepts together. (of course you can see a meaning in life, yet have lost hope to be able to direct your life that way).

What's the false equivocation again?

Here, let me do your search for you (it´s Sunday, and I have plenty of time):
#37, last paragraph.

 

[edens]

I never understood this phrase. All the answers I've heard just don't hold up if you're really honest with taking them seriously.

Consider "worshipping God." Ok. Well, you can only worship him for so long before this becomes fantastically boring.

Or "being a good person." What does that even mean? Moral goodness? Well, what do we do when we're not supposed to be acting morally (like when we're alone)?

"Happiness". Too vague.

The only thing that sets me on an agreeable direction is from Nietzsche: "This is my way; where is yours?" – Thus I answered those who asked me "the way." For the way—that does not exist." That is, you have to find your own set of meanings; the meaning of life is for each self to find meanings particularized for their own lives.

How does a person find their own meanings, their own ways? By becoming aware of their values -- those things that bring them happiness, pleasure, contentment. To value something is to set a marker that designates something as desirable, which when attained brings about happiness. You could arguably even break this down to a neurochemical level (what brings the most dopamine, etc.).

How do you become aware of your own values or meanings? By experiencing the world, not just thinking about it; the more you experience and think, the greater are your possibilities for finding things that really stimulate you. All force-fed dogmatism is antithetical not only to life, but the very possibilityof life, given that it stifles exploration, which makes possible values and meaning.

To say that there is one meaning to life (aside from my slippery definition of finding individual meanings) is really to say that one brain fits all selves. But precisely because we all have completely unique brains and situations, we all have unique meanings and callings.

I believe it's to give and receive love that is all.

 

[Received]

I believe it's to give and receive love that is all.

What do you do in times when you're alone and can neither give nor receive love?

 

[edens]

What do you do in times when you're alone and can neither give nor receive love?

Why can't you do both when alone? I've felt very loved deep in meditation. You can focus love on the world through thought and visualization there's always a way.

 

[VProud]

There can be no ultimate meaning.
Even if our purpose were to worship God, what;s God's purpose?
Since you can never answer an infinite string of 'Why's, there can be no ultimate purpose.

 

[Usus Vox Tractus]

There can be no ultimate meaning.
Even if our purpose were to worship God, what;s God's purpose?
Since you can never answer an infinite string of 'Why's, there can be no ultimate purpose.

God's purpose is to reproduce. We are part of that process...we are also the parcel of that process!

 

[VProud]

God's purpose is to reproduce. We are part of that process...we are also the parcel of that process!

But, what is the purpose of his reproduction? And if that has a purpose, what's the purpose of that?
That will go on infinitely - therefor it makes no logical sense for there to be an ultimate purpose.

 

[Usus Vox Tractus]

But, what is the purpose of his reproduction? And if that has a purpose, what's the purpose of that?
That will go on infinitely - therefor it makes no logical sense for there to be an ultimate purpose.

To share and rejoice with others in a kingdom, a power, and a glory that is never ending.

The affect is exponential over unity.

 

[The-Doctor]

That's easy.....the meaning of life is....42!

 

[Digout]

One said(I don't remember his name) that if one knew the meaning of life, then that one wouldn't like to live!

 

[Paul of Eugene OR]

But, what is the purpose of his reproduction? And if that has a purpose, what's the purpose of that?
That will go on infinitely - therefor it makes no logical sense for there to be an ultimate purpose.

Purpose is something one chooses to adopt. Only an intelligent agent can actually make such a choice. No other intelligent agent can say the other intelligent agent does not actually have that purpose. It is up to the individual intelligent agent to say what their own purpose is.

Personally, I like the idea of helping others and learning more.