No, meaning is inherent in being.
Because you exist everything you experience becomes part of the creation of meaning. Because we all exist together we can have shared meanings. Because our existence is finite and there is no guarantee of anything beyond death, everything you do or say takes on significance, especially how you chose to live with others.
The meaning you create may be hollow - but your existence always has meaning.
2006-12-22 09:25:46
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answer #1
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answered by Anonymous
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Alright then. Let's say it is. Then where do all us thinking peeps come from? The earth, which is mud and water and stuff. So that means you and I is walking mud. Literally, walking mud with some crazy, complex molecule stuff going on that let's us think and know who we are and say "Hello. Lovely day, isn't it?"
The universe is made up of matter, energy, space and time (or MEST). That's it. So MEST, which has no clue about anything, 0 consciousness, can combine in insanely complex combos and make life forms that are aware of themselves??? And of it's creator MEST??? Huh? Unconsciousness can create consciousness? And then the consciousness can be aware it spawned from unconsciousness??? I don't know, that doesn't add up. Seems like there's some serious meaning somewhere in there, but that's for another discussion.
But there's the meaningless thing. The old "we're nothing but creatures that evolved from swamps - our existence is purely an accident."
But take notice - the past and current state of this planet isn't all that great, not by a long shot, but some may try to tell you otherwise. When you're down and unhappy - as the vast majority on this planet are - you feel hopeless, purposeless and yuh huh, MEANINGLESS. Observe yourself or others the next time it's a really bad day. Sh*t take a survery of sad or miserable people and ask if they feel they or life has meaning. Then do the same for those who are actually happy (watch out they're hard to find, you'll need to bypass the posers).
Tell ya what, end all war, criminality, economic slavery and insanity on this planet, actually bring about a safe environment for all, and THEN ask people if existing or their existing or life is meaningless. (And yes, this can happen on this planet, the technology is out there this very moment, but I ain't going into that - people freak on it.)
Meaning can be in the individual or a quality of the universe itself (or beyond). When a conscious and sentient robot visits earth and claims it was born from various metals randomly combining and such on its home planet, will you think that was a meaningless accident?
Peace out.
2006-12-23 05:34:34
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answer #2
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answered by Jack 2
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I think the answer to this really hinges on what is meaningful to an individual. If someone convinces their self that there is no point or purpose to anything then it is a given that they will experience life through the filter of that belief. On the other hand, even with the worst treatment under the most inhumane of circumstances, one can find meaning and purpose if their belief system allows for it.
Possibly the most undesirable state would be to find yourself believing in the meaninglessness of existence for a long enough time that your ability to question your beliefs becomes so weak that you're unlikely to question ever again(I'm using "you" in general-I don't mean you specifically). Short of that apathetic state, life is full of surprises and is certainly capable of revealing meaning to even the most cynical as long as they're engaged and observant. I want to add, also...I've not spent a lot of time believing in meaninglessness, and so can not say from experience that meaning is lost to anyone, anywhere, at any time, in any situation. Anything can, and often does, happen.
2006-12-22 17:20:43
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answer #3
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answered by Justin R 2
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I think this question is meaningless. Literally -- because if you say 'existing is meaningless' you're actually assigning a type of meaning to existing. Aren't you? I mean, really, or if you will, existentially? Absence of meaning would be just pure emptiness and the consciousness of the human person would be unable to perceive it, to assign it 'meaning' because there would be nothing there to give meaning to.
So existing MUST have a meaning. The meaning may not be something to make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, it may not be what your grandma says it is -- but it must be there because, quite simply, 'meaning' is the very definition of the relation between mind and world, that is, between the self and the perception of 'existing'.
PS Shylock is right!
2006-12-22 17:32:59
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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each tiny action triggers another, and this reaction is magnified by the hundreds of reactions it has the capability of triggering. Our individual ideas and actions are like tiny berries, and the more you put into them, the larger they grow. Even the tiniest of berries is able to create a few ripples when it finally takes the leap of courage to make that difference. Band them together, and you can create a large splash, with each spray coming from it forming its own ripple.
If you are religious, you know that existence is not meaningless simply in the point that it gives us the opportunity to prove ourselves for our opportunities in the next world.
If not, look at biology... nothing would evolve if it did not at some point have a purpose, and once that purpose is gone, it usually deevolves. On its most primal level, nature exists to exist and to continue existing. Why would anything exist if it did not have a purpose?
I like to think that my own existence has a purpose, I would like to think that my existence has purpose in the influence it has on the existence of others. I would like to think that existence is meaningful in the cycle that it works to continue.
"Judge a life not by the number of breaths they take, but by the number of times they take someones breath away."
2006-12-22 17:26:11
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answer #5
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answered by AWOL 1
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Well, what is meaning? And what is meaningless?
Is it possible that the meaning of existence is beyond human perception?
Everything is possible, but what answer you choose determines a lot about the reality that you live in....
2006-12-22 17:36:44
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answer #6
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answered by raxivar 5
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Not only is it possible, it is the most probable explanation. Any open honest thinker can clearly see that having some instruction manual for life handed down by cosmic deities is a million to one shot. To me, life's meaninglessness means that I can do whatever I want, and I like that.
2006-12-22 17:28:09
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answer #7
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answered by Subconsciousless 7
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Without evidence to the contrary, what other conclusion can there be. Its an astronomical certainty that our sun will supernova. Its an astronomical certainty that the earth will be hit by a planet killing asteroid (although we many have the technology to deflect the planet killer).
Is there a value to human existence? Why do you human beings exist? Is our existence, our life, nothing but a random event? Do cows have a
value or a purpose in life. Why not?
Human beings obviously exist because they manifest themselves to other human beings: Among other attributes, human beings have mass and appearance that can be measured and observed, both by subjective, physiological means and by objective, scientific standards:
Human beings exist.
Is our existence, our life, nothing but a random event, the leaf blowing in the wind, the ripple in the stream? If we suggest that there is a meaning or value superimposed on human life, what is the mysterious power that imbues our life with such a purpose or value? If this obscure power does exist, how does it manifest itself? If this obscure power does not manifest itself to humans in any objective form, it does not exist as far as humans are concerned. Therefore, it cannot convey a preordained or predestined value to our life.
Biology defines human beings as animals. Do other animals have a meaning or value attached to their life? If only human life has meaning, what is it that sets humans apart from other animals? The great apes are the first cousins of humans. Is there a value attached to their life? Does a cow, a pig or a monkey have a value ascribed to its life, except to serve as food for humans?
In the perpetual struggle for survival, all living organisms are constantly engaged in a battle for limited resources. Lower life forms have little control over their inherently hostile environment. Only man has evolved rational thought processes. Among animals, only man can
utilize his rational mind to achieve a higher degree of survival and security in an inherently insecure world.
2006-12-22 17:14:30
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answer #8
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answered by Its not me Its u 7
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That depends...
There is no *objective* meaning to life (except possibly just to experience things), but there can certainly be *subjective* meaning.
You're pretty much responsible for deciding for yourself what that meaning is (since it's subjective & all). There are TONS of people in the world who will give you things that might help you figure it out, but ultimately, it's up to you...
and maybe THAT's the meaning of life.
2006-12-22 18:07:14
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answer #9
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answered by Sir N. Neti 4
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dont listen to that prick. I dont know if u are atheist or not but im not here to judge u. If u are religious u should know that there is a life after this one; one without warz or suffering, or death; a perfect world. The world God had originally planned. However, if u are atheist, well then being alive is enough to to show that u have meaning. u have family who love u , and frenz who support u. that should be good enough.
2006-12-22 17:12:00
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answer #10
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answered by micheal f 1
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