Please don't say 42
2006-10-04 01:57:46 · 28 answers · asked by Mart 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
Why does there have to be a meaning?
It sounds like a terrible cop-out but basically we're here because we're here because we're here because we're here.
If life and the universe were caused by "random" physical forces then the only meaning it can have is one that we put on it, in essence the question is meaningless, much like "why is a tree a tree?" answer - because it is.
If you wish to put a meaning on life the unverse and anything then feel free to, it is, after all, your life. So what do you want it to mean?
2006-10-04 02:12:07 · answer #1 · answered by I C 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
In Douglas Adams' The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, 42 is the number from which all meaning ("the meaning of life, the universe, and everything") could be derived.
A BBC radio script based on Adams' book contains the following lines:
("Cave man" lays out following sentence in Scrabble stones: "What do you get if you multiply six by nine?")
Arthur: Six by nine? Forty-two? You know, I've always felt that there was something fundamentally wrong with the Universe.
(Faint and distant voice:) Base thirteen!
For the literal-minded and those unfamiliar with terms like "base thirteen," this is a number system in which the number 10 is equivalent to our more familiar decimal 13. A base-13 number 42, therefore, is the same as four 13s plus 2, or decimal 54. So "six by nine" (six times nine) or decimal 54 is, in base 13, 42. For the mystically inclined, 42 in base 13 is the same as 110110 in binary (base 2). This could mean almost anything, and many Adams fans have spent untold hours discovering all of the places where the number "42" pops up. For example, there are many mentions of the number in the Book of Revelation. Others have made a game of finding 42s, such as these:
* The angle at which light reflects off of water to create a rainbow is 42 degrees.
* Two physical constants in the universe are the speed of light and thediameter of a proton. It takes light 10 to the minus 42nd power seconds to cross the diameter of a proton.
* The sum of the ordinal alphabetic positions of the initials (SPG) for Stan (P.) Gibilisco, an oft-published science and technology writer, is equal to 42 (S=19, P=16, G=7).
* A barrel holds 42 gallons.
(It should be noted that all of these 42s are base 10, not base 13.)
2006-10-04 21:33:18 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The meaning of life right now is to give yourself a break. Go and get yourself a nice sandwich, pour yourself a cup of teas of coffee and have some good nice rest. For the meaning of life, the universe and everything will have changed by then. And you need to refresh yourself for another update upon the meanings of all things around.
2006-10-04 09:44:59 · answer #3 · answered by Shahid 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
24
2006-10-05 05:58:05 · answer #4 · answered by los 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think there is a meaning to it. Why should there be? And I don't mean that in a depressing sort of way, cos I love life. We are not part of some big plan, we are not working towards anything, we are just here for the duration of our lives and that's it. Humans will eventually die out like the dinosaurs before us, then there will be the next thing.
2006-10-04 09:05:37 · answer #5 · answered by Julian P Wildebeest 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
For each person the meaning of life is different, the answer is based on ones culture, believes and ethics.For me it is love kindness and faith. Sorry but I don't know anything about the meaning of the Universe.
2006-10-04 09:15:48 · answer #6 · answered by mimi 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
this question is a deep philosophical one,it also bugged me.according to the greek philosopher aristotle the meaning of life is to do good in order to achieve happiness, happines is seen as a virtue that means a exelence in doing something or reaching your final cause wich is the end.
in conclusion thier is no correct answer to this one but only theories,just like everything else,"there is no absolute truth" the meaning of life is what you make of it.
2006-10-04 09:20:32 · answer #7 · answered by mr_zot 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hehe... 42? does anyone REALLY know? all we really know is what OUR little bit of life the universe and everything means to US... I'm 35 and only just realised whats right for me.. good luck with finding yours out x
2006-10-04 09:00:18 · answer #8 · answered by wiccajools 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
The meaning of life,the universe,everything? Is to buy a fast car and burn boy racers off in drag races. OR to play pac-man until you have your name at the top of the high score table.
2006-10-04 09:05:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
It has been said that "the meaning of life" would never be found untill you die!!!But for some it is found before that time.The phrase is meant by what you truely believe that God puts in your head...If God tells you that it meant to love one another reguardless of their actions...then you love them and go on with life.The meaning of the universe is for everyone to live the life that God wants them to live in a respectful manner on this universe.The meaning of everything is to again live your life in the way that YOU believe that God wants you to live it by loving and caring for one another.
2006-10-04 11:41:40 · answer #10 · answered by Short and sweet 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋