Why is Life so empty and meaningless?

Question

If there is nothing emotional or materialistic to cling to, should we not be happy to die? Death seems more meaningful than life.....

(....why does the asking of this question incite so much anger?)

I should add spiritual to the list of nothing to cling to.......All good answers so far, but really quite pointless, since no amount of fix it or change your attitude or Xanax will make life better......can't wait for the next round of answers.....

Answer 1

depends on how you look at life

Answer 2

Life itself is not empty and meaningless. But there are times when we feel that life is so empty therefore left with no meaning. There are lots of things that we can cling to in life. Something emotional can be really satisfying since we are human full of emotions and feelings. something real like material things makes everything seems more worth while. If one think that death seems more meaningful than life, I would really ask a few questions. First, any idea what will happen after death? Second, If you believe heaven and hell, where would we go? Third, If we go to hell, won't it be more physical, mental and psychological sufferings there than on earth? I agree that this world is not a really good place to live in for some people. But what would quarantee a person that he or she will go to a better place after death? I just hope that you would go through this life with no regret. :-)

Answer 3

Life is full & meaningful, but it's different for everyone. You have to find what makes you happy, whatever that may be, & make it your focus. There are obviously aspects of life that are unpleasant, drudgery etc that we all have to get through. The point is to have something to look forward to. It might be emotional (love, friendship etc), or material (travelling, acquiring things) but it also might be mental/intellectual (learning, taking courses, reading) or spiritual (prayer, meditation, exploring nature, discovering more about yourself & life...)

I think the key is to focus on what you have rather than what you lack. Is the glass half empty or is it really half full?

If you're a devoutly religious person who believes in Heaven I suppose you could argue death was more meaningful because it's the beginning of eternal life, however it doesn't mean that this life isn't important too. It determines your fate in the afterlife. So make the most of this life. Be good to yourself & others! :)

Life is as bleak or as beautiful as you choose to make it. Look for the beauty that's out there!

Answer 4

People are hateful and just don't care. It is easy to say life is grand. It is when you are in the real world of nature no lies, no back stabbing, no fake people. Church Ha more lies there than anywhere (sorry to offend). People only care about materialistic things there just things....feelings are so much more important. A true friend (one who is there no matter what) those are far and few in between. Death seems more meaningful because of the ha tread, two faced people, users.When in death there is peace....I feel no anger with the Q. ...... I can relate because I see not the death the ugliness of the times

Answer 5

Its not! Life's the most meaningful thing you will ever know;P Expand your horizon whit reading books on philosophy and religion (like Buddhism), if you cant find a meaning - that's why people cling to religion you know. Dont waste your life feeling sorry for yourself, and end up bitter and egocentric. Try doing something for others instead. Take a trip down to the homeless shelter and see how different peoples faiths are, use your ability to help others in need. It sounds like just klishes, but your not the first and only to question the meaning of life. Its still a question to be answered. Have more sex, hang out whit friends, throw out the television, go hiking, educate yourself, study, be alive!

Answer 6

Everything is in the mind. When you do not care for the mind and allow it to sit complacent, the mind stops and you feel as if you have nothing. In essence you do have nothing at that point. It is all in the mind. People underestimate the power of the spirit over the brain. The brain is nothing without the spirit or driving force inside of us as beings. Death is no more important or meaningless than life because life is nothing but a part of death and death just a part of life. Who is to say that life is different than death. We may all be dead now, waiting for life. Bottom line is happiness is state of mind, not a state of life. Only if you allow the apathy to take hold will your life (or death) be completely meaningless.

Answer 7

80% of humanity, the religious folks, don't need to ask the meaning of life, the church tells them....the supernatural explanation. But the rest of us can't swallow religious dogma, because there's no evidence. Nobody can prove that there life after death, that people are tortured or rewarded after life or that there's invisible spirits running around.

I've come to two conclusions recently:

1. Life has no meaning
2. Life has a million meanings.

First, there's a certainty that death and annihilation awaits not only you, but the Earth in general. It's an astonomical certainty that our sun will supernova and leave the earth a burnt crisp, not to mention all the other extinction level events around the corner.

Second, the million things that give us meaning are the pleasurable experiences we can conjure up during the short period we are here on the earth, in the form of the relationships we have with our kids and other people, and the 'housekeeping' types of purposes. What i mean by that are the curing disease, ending hunger, improving literacy, reducing crime, preventing war, helping other kinds of things.

Answer 8

It is we ourselves that impart meaning to life. Outside ego consciousness, the universe and Nature just are. They have no need for meaning. Pure existence suffices. Man is the meaning-seeking entity. OK, enough philosophy. There are lots of good answers already given here, some very deep. I don't think you are looking for deep answers. I think you are looking for a solution that works for you. I think you need to be with friends you are comfortable with who have a positive outlook on life and can help steer you toward rewarding experiences. If you are severely depressed, get professional help, but remember the solutions to your problems will always come from your own doing. I stress doing because sometimes too much thinking paradoxically turns off the very meaning you seek while activity of a more physical nature may help restore it. You need to strike a balance between the two. Excess of one to the detriment of the other often leads to problems. Exercise as part of your routine may help. Strange how much richer the world appears when we are forced to breathe deeply and our hearts beat faster. If you find yourself getting particularly blue during the winter months when the days grow shorter and the nights longer you may have Seasonal Affective Disorder (SADD). If so try to spend more time outdoors to get more sunlight or consider using full spectrum lighting in your home. Casting a bright light upon our world elevates our mood and it's always easier to find meaning in life when we're happy. Finally, may I suggest that part of the answer to your question might come from having something to care for. It might help if you got a dog. Not only would the dog help restore meaning to your life, it will give you unconditional love as well. That's worth a thousand or so philosophical truths. Good luck and don't give up, ever.

Answer 9

I think your over looking a few things about life. Like falling in love, eating a really good meal, family, enjoy the seasons as they change, having a good laugh, an afternoon nap, getting in touch with an old friend, hearing a really great song for the first time, a nice wine buzz. You see life is full of simple beautiful and meaningfull things but you have to have an open mind to receive them. It sounds to me your either depressed (dont worrie your not alone) or maybe you just need to do a little soul searching. Good luck to you.

Answer 10

Because you believe that there is nothing emotional to cling on to. I do not support the word, 'cling' for you are supposed to 'cling' on to life, because it is YOUR life. I'm not using materialistic, for materialism does nothing for you. People often neglect what they have with them. Only realise what they have when they're gone.

I hate to preach, and you're angry... because you just wish to die? How would I know unless I'm you? I'm sorry to hear you're angry, or are you just angry because we're all happy?

Either way, take time out to think over things. What is creating this meaningless and emptiness, go to the core of things. Fix it. Don't brood over it.

Just like my homework, I procrastinate only to find myself more stressed as tomorrow's homework come.

Take care!

Answer 11

Death is going to happen sooner or later anyway, so if it is meaningful, it's not like you're going to miss your chance at it. Life is empty and meaningless, yes, but it can be interesting from time to time. I just hang around feintly hoping that it will change into something better, and because I lack the dramatic flair for suicide attempts--they're not incredibly creative after all, they have all been done before, and if you fail it makes you look like an even bigger loser because you couldn't even die right, and you were really trying........................