Why are we here?

[cloudyday2]

See:

The World According to Quantum Mechanics: Why the Laws of Physics Make Perfect Sense After All: Ulrich Mohrhoff: 9789814293372: Amazon.com: Books

That looks like an interesting book. Does it require the reader to know physics? The topics it discusses are interesting. I started college as a physics major, but I had to give it up because I began to fill like I was just manipulating symbols on a piece of paper without understanding anything. So I'm interested in the topics, but my math and physics knowledge is weak. (Probably I better spend my time and money on Uncle Scrooge comics instead. )

 

[awitch]

That looks like an interesting book. Does it require the reader to know physics? The topics it discusses are interesting. I started college as a physics major, but I had to give it up because I began to fill like I was just manipulating symbols on a piece of paper without understanding anything. So I'm interested in the topics, but my math and physics knowledge is weak. (Probably I better spend my time and money on Uncle Scrooge comics instead. )

I dropped out of a physics minor after not doing well in a quantum physics class. I think I understood the theory OK, but the math was a problem. (What the heck is phi???)

The Scrooge comics might just help with chemistry though.

 

[light upon light]

That looks like an interesting book. Does it require the reader to know physics? The topics it discusses are interesting. I started college as a physics major, but I had to give it up because I began to fill like I was just manipulating symbols on a piece of paper without understanding anything. So I'm interested in the topics, but my math and physics knowledge is weak. (Probably I better spend my time and money on Uncle Scrooge comics instead. )

There is a lot of math, but the basic point of the book doesn't require any deep understanding of the math at all. I know what you mean about manipulating symbols. OTOH my son is a physics and math major and seems to be loving it so far...

I will send you a PM later with more info...

 

[light upon light]

I dropped out of a physics minor after not doing well in a quantum physics class. I think I understood the theory OK, but the math was a problem.

I dropped astrophysics - I love the topic but didn't love the math.

 

[ContraMundum]

While the Westminster Confession isn't one I subscribe to, its response to the chief end of man is interesting: "To glorify God and enjoy Him forever." I'm particularly drawn to the phrasing "enjoy Him", that man isn't simply a tool, but a relational subject, and that at the heart of the human-divine relationship, what it's meant to be, is one of enjoyment. To take joy in God.

I like your observation. I would also add that man being created to enjoy Him doesn't reduce God to some narcissistic being with a burning desire to be worshipped or a dysfunctional father figure who sends people to Hell for not doing so.

 

[Eudaimonist]

Why are we here, today, now?

You were born.

If you are asking: what are we to do with our lives now that we are born, the answer is to find creative activities appropriate to your talents to do with your life, and thus to flourish and find happiness.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[Eudaimonist]

Love is a very poor purpose to fulfill one's life

Agreed, it's just a bland cliché. There is far more to life.


eudaimonia,

Mark

 

[dlamberth]

Love is a very poor purpose to fulfill one's life

More than any other creature in this Creation the Human Being is made to respond to Love. So with out Love in the mix, I see no way any human being can truly fulfill ones purpose in life.

.

 

[light upon light]

Agreed, it's just a bland cliché. There is far more to life.


eudaimonia,

Mark

Maybe the problem is a different understanding of the word "Love"?

 

[MehGuy]

The purpose of life is to struggle to feel a little love, lol..

 

[light upon light]

Maybe the problem is a different understanding of the word "Love"?

I will give an example. To me, the work of someone like Michelangelo or Mozart or Einstein or Carl Sagan was driven by a love of beauty and reality.

 

[prov1810]

Form of the Good - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia "In Platonism, the meaning of life is in attaining the highest form of knowledge, which is the Idea (Form) of the Good, from which all good and just things derive utility and value.

"The Form of the Good has been described as one of the more cryptic doctrines in Plato's metaphysics and epistemology and there is no scholarly consensus as to its meaning in the abstract or how it is supposed to exercise its influence in practice. There is an ancient anecdotal tradition that Plato gave a public lecture entitled "On the Good" which so confused the audience that most walked out."

 

[prov1810]

Even when our physical needs are met, our minds are restless and demanding. What is the answer? All the answers raise more questions. We are frustrated and we distract the question with entertainments. Then we are bored with these entertainments and we are frustrated again. At this point something cathartically wonderful happens for those who just let it happen, but there is no point in sharing the insight. To the hearer it's just another answer.

 

[dlamberth]

Form of the Good - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia "In Platonism, the meaning of life is in attaining the highest form of knowledge, which is the Idea (Form) of the Good, from which all good and just things derive utility and value.

The only way one is going to attain that knowledge is if they love attaining it, or it won't happen. Love HAS to be in the mix some how.

.

 

[light upon light]

The only way one is going to attain that knowledge is if they love attaining it, or it won't happen. Love HAS to be in the mix some how.

.

Maybe a synonym for love will work better for some: that we really CARE, that we give a damn about beauty and truth.

 

[prov1810]

The only way one is going to attain that knowledge is if they love attaining it, or it won't happen. Love HAS to be in the mix some how.

.

I agree. It's not an idea, and love is more than sentiment. Love is a mental discipline, constantly practiced, and that is how we know what is worth knowing. This knowledge is not our birthright and it's not for the dilettante.

 

[gord44]

Even when our physical needs are met, our minds are restless and demanding. What is the answer?

One must tame the mind, then peace will come.

We are frustrated and we distract the question with entertainments. Then we are bored with these entertainments and we are frustrated again.

Trying to find happiness in material objects usually leads to this scenario.

At this point something cathartically wonderful happens for those who just let it happen, but there is no point in sharing the insight. To the hearer it's just another answer.

For some. For others it's just another 'entertainment' that they will bore of. Without getting the mind in check, it can be an endless cycle. Some people are ok to just float in the boat and hope the wind blows them towards the shore. Others like to pick up some oars and row themselves.

 

[sunshineforJesus]

I agree. It's not an idea, and love is more than sentiment. Love is a mental discipline, constantly practiced, and that is how we know what is worth knowing. This knowledge is not our birthright and it's not for the dilettante.

Wise words.

 

[Dialogues]

One must tame the mind, then peace will come.

Fully agree! The animal/lower/natural self requires some taming. Using reason and understanding, one can cease to follow the natural bent in anger, intercourse, speech, eating, drinking, and so on, and regulate one's thoughts and actions to behave in a civilised and appropriate manner.

The natural moral and spiritual states of mankind are discussed with great insights in the first chapter to this online book:

http://www.alislam.org/library/books/Philosophy-of-Teachings-of-Islam.pdf

(The first chapter starts on page 36 of the online book, and page 31 or 32 of the downloaded book)

Please let me know whether you find you can agree with the first couple of pages where the three states are introduced.

Trying to find happiness in material objects usually leads to this scenario.

Agree again.

Peace.

 

[Jane_the_Bane]

There are many conceivable answers to this question - maybe more than there are sapient beings in this planet.

I am highly skeptical when it comes to grand meta-narratives, even the ones that try to be extremely general - for at the end of the day, they are all "cookie cutters".

The purpose of life is living it - and every single one of us has to figure out what that means in each particular case.