Can anything have a purpose within itself? If not, how can things with an external purpose have any purpose at all on a large enough scale?
2006-07-08 19:53:52 · 6 answers · asked by ashotinthedark 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
The first answer seems not very satisfactory, it is an infinitely recursive definition that can always be met with the same begged question. What is 'seems', what is the purpose of our perception? This answer seems very weak.
2006-07-08 19:59:33 · update #1
I am assuming that the "purpose" of an event means: the cause for an event to occur.
Laws of nature can cause something to occur. Intelligent beings can make decisions to perform actions which will cause events to occur.
I am also assuming that the "purpose" of a thing means: the cause by intelligent beings for the thing to exist.
Intelligent beings build things for purposes. The purpose of my car is to drive me to work. I did not give a rock on Mars a purpose, although some people would argue that God has a purpose for all things.
Can something exist without a purpose? That depends on one's belief, but if God gave a purpose to everything, then who gave God his purposes.
Looking at this question from a religious or non-religious point of view. I believe that the final conclusion, is that not everything has a purpose. Or, that there is no beginning of time, and therefore everything's purpose was determined by something that came before it, forever.
To answer your question, you need to ask if you think a person can give themselves their own purpose? I personally think that all intelligence has the ultimate purpose to be happy, which is not given by themselves.
2006-07-08 21:40:25 · answer #1 · answered by Michael M 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Meaning of purpose is the meaning of existence.
Existence itself cannot exist unless meaning is expressed to the idea itself.
Such seeming semantics is in fact constructed from a wonderful canvas of nothing. Take away the meaning of nothing and you have no way to describe it. Nothing is pure concept.
From nothing, everything springs. It is the canvas upon which existence exists through the application of meaning.
2006-07-09 05:49:38 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I assume you are talking about dual objectives, within and without. I personally believe that what ever one does, we should have balance. One will suffer if that is not achieved and lose his or her perspective of living...
2006-07-09 03:09:14 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If it seems real, it probably is; if it doesn't seem real or purposeful, it probably isn't.
The purpose of meaning is the meaning, you know what I mean?
So if it seems purposeful and meaningful, it probably is.
That is the purpose of meaning.
2006-07-09 02:57:40 · answer #4 · answered by Kokyunage.net 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
did you hear about the dyslexic, agnostic, insomniac? he lay awake all night, wondering if there was a dog.
2006-07-09 03:26:02 · answer #5 · answered by isaidno 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what should be meant.
2006-07-09 03:33:49 · answer #6 · answered by N O 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋