What is the meaning behind existence, in your view?

quatona · Jun 19, 2015

ananda said:
I didn't say that I can't have knowledge of that world, I said I don't have knowledge of that world, at least not in any significant quantity.

Ok, sorry for misquoting you. I do not see the significant difference between the two wordings, though, in regards to my point.

I see purpose of any particular thing as defined by its creator. I see meaning of the same thing defined by any individual interpreter. The creator of a car has his own purposes for creating the car (profits, aesthetics, etc.). The purchaser can apply his own meaning to his car (freedom, travel, utility, etc.)

So which person do you have in mind when saying "the meaning behind existence"?

I see all natural "laws" as transcendent, meant to somehow point us to the highest realities in their own ways.

"Meant" by whom?

I would perceive that the meaning of watching a movie may be to enjoy and learn from the movie, and then to leave the movie to apply the lessons learned in some way to the outside world.

Sorry, but you have introduced a new wording that makes me wonder: "Perceiving a meaning" - which seems to imply that there is an inherent meaning that you perceive.
Or in other words: What´s the difference between "X means Y to me." and "I perceive that the meaning of X is Y."? If there is no difference, why do you introduce such an inflated terminology?

quatona · Jun 19, 2015

pastor marty said:
Who cares ?? "Love is all we need !" beatles 66

That was actually "Love is all you need!"

pastor marty · Jun 19, 2015

quatona said:
That was actually "Love is all you need!"

U.me;I;we ! If there is a hereafter our only redeeming attribute w/probably be the amount of Love we gave/were given,stumbled over thru no conscious intent.Or were (unearned) blessed by/with.

quatona · Jun 19, 2015

pastor marty said:
U.me;I;we ! If there is a hereafter our only redeeming attribute w/probably be the amount of Love we gave/were given,stumbled over thru no conscious intent.Or were (unearned) blessed by/with.

Sorry, I am not a native English speaker, and not familiar with those slangy abbreviations you were using. So your post was a little cryptic to me.

pastor marty · Jun 19, 2015

quatona said:
Sorry, I am not a native English speaker, and not familiar with those slangy abbreviations you were using. So your post was a little cryptic to me.

You,me,I, & we aren't abbreviations.Now you're drifting into argumentative for the sake of argument. Shalom (peace)

quatona · Jun 19, 2015

pastor marty said:
You,me,I, & we aren't abbreviations.Now you're drifting into argumentative for the sake of argument. Shalom (peace)

I didn´t mean to argue anything. I just meant to tell you that I hadn´t understood your post - just in case there was something important you wanted to communicate.

ananda · Jun 19, 2015

quatona said:
So which person do you have in mind when saying "the meaning behind existence"?

Any individual.

"Meant" by whom?

I don't know. I simply believe that there is a meaning.

Sorry, but you have introduced a new wording that makes me wonder: "Perceiving a meaning" - which seems to imply that there is an inherent meaning that you perceive. Or in other words: What´s the difference between "X means Y to me." and "I perceive that the meaning of X is Y."? If there is no difference, why do you introduce such an inflated terminology?

There is a difference. My perception of meaning may not be the same as another's perception of meaning. It's similar to how some people use "in my opinion," in their posts.

quatona · Jun 19, 2015

ananda said:
Any individual.

So you are searching for all the meanings that people may ascribe to "existence"?

I don't know. I simply believe that there is a meaning.

A meaning - as opposed to all those meanings it has to all those individuals?

There is a difference. My perception of meaning may not be the same as another's perception of meaning.

Sorry, I fail to see the difference. When I say "X means Y to me" I am aware that it may mean something else to other persons, as well.

ananda · Jun 19, 2015

quatona said:
So you are searching for all the meanings that people may ascribe to "existence"?

Absolutely.

A meaning - as opposed to all those meanings it has to all those individuals?

Sure

Sorry, I fail to see the difference. When I say "X means Y to me" I am aware that it may mean something else to other persons, as well.

You used "to me" in the same way I said "I perceive".

pastor marty · Jun 19, 2015

ananda said:
What if an ant could comprehend a motor, and that it is merely the fact that it cannot express it to us in our terms?

Good for Einstein Ant.If I'm immortal I'll discover it soon & if not,I'll soon cease discovering anything.Better to believe in eternity w/God & be wrong than to be an atheist, die, awaken & stare up at an extraterrestrial/Angel (frowning)

quatona · Jun 19, 2015

ananda said:
Absolutely.

Sure

So you use "meaning" in two entirely different meanings here. That´s quite confusing.

You used "to me" in the same way I said "I perceive".

So there is no difference?

pastor marty · Jun 19, 2015

ananda said:
Absolutely.

Sure

You used "to me" in the same way I said "I perceive".

Ananda;Sir, Your incite is profound. I tell my Buddist pals that if the Budda & Jesus had been contemporaries,their would have been 13 disciples.2 Holy men,such similar views. (just a thought)

ananda · Jun 19, 2015

pastor marty said:
Good for Einstein Ant.If I'm immortal I'll discover it soon & if not,I'll soon cease discovering anything.Better to believe in eternity w/God & be wrong than to be an atheist, die, awaken & stare up at an extraterrestrial/Angel (frowning)

Is belief in your God the meaning behind existence, as you see it, then?

ananda · Jun 19, 2015

quatona said:
So you use "meaning" in two entirely different meanings here. That´s quite confusing.

Not at all. The first "all meanings" refers to what everyone perceives to be their meaning(s). "A meaning" refers to my meaning.

So there is no difference?

I don't see any significant difference between "to me" and "I perceive".

ananda · Jun 19, 2015

pastor marty said:
Ananda;Sir, Your incite is profound. I tell my Buddist pals that if the Budda & Jesus had been contemporaries,their would have been 13 disciples.2 Holy men,such similar views. (just a thought)

Indubitably! Yes, I actually believe that Jesus was a disciple of the Buddha.

quatona · Jun 19, 2015

ananda said:
Not at all. The first "all meanings" refers to what everyone perceives to be their meaning(s). "A meaning" refers to my meaning.[/qipte]
And what does "the meaning" refer to?

I don't see any significant difference between "to me" and "I perceive".

Click to expand...

Glad I could convince you.

ananda · Jun 19, 2015

"the meaning" refers to what everyone perceives to be their meaning(s), since I also wrote "... in your view" in the title.

quatona · Jun 19, 2015

ananda said:
"the meaning" refers to what everyone perceives to be their meaning(s), since I also wrote "... in your view" in the title.

So your question could be reworded into "What does the fact that you exist mean to you?" without anything of significance being lost?

ananda · Jun 19, 2015

quatona said:
So your question could be reworded into "What does the fact that you exist mean to you?" without anything of significance being lost?

The emphasis would completely change from a focus on "existence" to the "fact that you exist".

muichimotsu · Jun 19, 2015

Meaning would reasonably have to be generated by individuals for it to be fulfilling, rather than to have one thrust upon you from outside yourself. As subjective as it may be, it's more realistic as to meaning in its essence rather than reducing us to a function, something teleological in a mechanical sense rather than a purpose which can be provisional and change as goals are met or priorities adjust.

My meaning of life is different than a meaning behind or underpinning life itself. The latter has no meaning, it merely has existence. Those who have the capacity to comprehend can discern that meaning is a motivator factor to actions and the will as well. Animals don't have a purpose to life, they serve functions as they experience life much faster in comparison and don't have the seeming ability to contemplate their life's meanings. They shouldn't, however, be reduced to a means, which is another thing entirely that connects to ethics more than whatever one might call the study of the meaning of life (teleology, perhaps?)

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