The meaning of life?

[ClusterChuck]

That's what I'm wondering.

I have my own views.

What do think the point of it all is?

Sans 42... that's a given.

[minstrel]

Why don't you start off by telling us your views?

[Lemex]

Is there meaning?

[superpsycho]

Evolution. You could say the universe is trying to understand itself if you want? Regardless of your views on such things, life evolves and will continue to do so. You could say, the meaning of life is in the eye of our children. You can take that statement anyway you would like it to mean.

[Allan Paas]

Life has no meaning, nothing has a meaning. It all just happened, take it as an accident, accidents happen. Then comes a question like why should we keep ourselves alive, in existence, if nothing has a meaning?
It is a choice and since we do exist why not? No better one as to why keep existing: to survive, stay alive, learn and become smarter and more advanced and evolve over time. That's from intelligent life's point of view.

Animals on the other hand have their "programming", which is to reproduce and therefore survive and is essentially the same. The only difference is they cannot really control it while we can.

[Cogito]

FAIR WARNING

The moment this thread becomes an even slightly heated debate, it will be closed with a resounding "Clank."

[marcuslam]

The meaning of life is to chase after your dreams and be happy while doing it .

[Rebel Yellow]

The meaning of life is something that will differ for every individual, however in the end it might not be that important to find a higher purpose. On a related note, I think that according too much importance to happiness is a recipe for disappointment; life is a cycle of ups and downs and there is no way around it.

[superpsycho]

I guess if you think there's meaning, it does, if not it doesn't. That seems fair. Either that or the answer is 42.

[Just Jon]

The related question I sometimes hear is "Why are we here?".

And then I wonder "Are we really here?", then "If not here, then where?"

Related to that, I think "Where am I?", followed by "Who am I?", and finally "Am I?", which is where Descartes began (if he really exists).

Working backwards, I am, I'm me, I'm right here, yes we are, and (finally) I still have no idea why we are here. But at least I made it this far.

[Cogito]

Sheridan: "What do you want?"
Kosh: "Never ask that."
...
Kosh: "Who are you?"

- thematic quotes from Babylon 5

[mammamaia]

what do you mean by '42'?... are you referring to the hoary old joke where the answer to a question is a shouted out number, referring to a stock list of answers?

as for your question, my answer is:

nobody can possibly know the answer to that question... or even know if there is any 'meaning' beyond what each of us gives to our own individual time on this earth...

those who claim to know are only guessing, or parroting some made-up or wishful-thinking 'answer' supplied by their religious founders and leaders [no offense intended]...

[The Tourist]

I find life to be an ethereal Interstate highway. I get to do the journey, I get to rest for the night, and I might find something of great importance on the other side. I might also crash and burn.

Fearing a thread lock, I'll leave it there. But don't waste any 'gasoline.' Your tank does empty.

[superpsycho]

what do you mean by '42'?... are you referring to the hoary old joke where the answer to a question is a shouted out number, referring to a stock list of answers?

as for your question, my answer is:

nobody can possibly know the answer to that question... or even know if there is any 'meaning' beyond what each of us gives to our own individual time on this earth...

those who claim to know are only guessing, or parroting some made-up or wishful-thinking 'answer' supplied by their religious founders and leaders [no offense intended]...

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy as the "Answer to the Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything".

[Lemex]

Sans 42... that's a given.

You are aware that jokes become less funny the more you hear them?

[superpsycho]

You are aware that jokes become less funny the more you hear them?

Why do you assume it was meant to be funny rather than saying the answer has no meaning if it's simply 42 and using a literary reference to do it.

[Lemex]

Why do you assume it was meant to be funny rather than saying the answer has no meaning if it's simply 42 and using a literary reference to do it.

I'm an idiot. For a second I thought you where the OP. Sorry, I've had a lot on my mind lately and, brain fart. Haha. I've changed my post.

[superpsycho]

I'm an idiot. For a second I thought you where the OP. Sorry, I've had a lot on my mind lately and, brain fart. Haha. I've changed my post.

No need to say your sorry. No offense was taken and I was just teasing you a little, hmm or was I? I could be teasing now. Or you're just imagining the whole thing. after all none of it really has any meaning does it. Or does It. Now I'm so confused.

[Lemex]

No need to say your sorry. No offense was taken and I was just teasing you a little, hmm or was I? I could be teasing now. Or you're just imagining the whole thing. after all none of it really has any meaning does it. Or does It. Now I'm so confused.

According to Descartes, I am the only thing that provably exists, and your words are nothing but my unconscious asking my consciousness that question. Or maybe you are the only person who exists and my words are just a fragment of your unconscious.

[superpsycho]

According to Descartes, I am the only thing that provably exists, and your words are nothing but my unconscious asking my consciousness that question. Or maybe you are the only person who exists and my words are just a fragment of your unconscious.

Descartes to Hume, Philosophy can be a bitch. We all must be damn smart since if no one else exists we’re coming up with a lot of knowledge out of thin air. Hmmm, Maybe I have amnesia I don’t know I knew all this stuff from the beginning. Or you did and I’m something you made up. The more you think about the #^%&#@, the more confusing it gets. That’s it, it’s a plot to keep us confused, created by the ruling elite who are hiding the meaning of life from us all.