What is the meaning and purpose of life?

Question

personally I beleive that there is none. We are here due to a random act of evolution, there is no GOD, no life after death, no greater purpose, none. We must find our own purpose within the realms of our knowledge. I want to hear other answers. Especially from ones who don't beleive in GOD or relegion.

Answer 1

You put it together quite nicely. The purpose of life is what you make of it, that is the philosophy I choose to follow. You make your own purpose. Religion is a necesity, unfortunately, for many people need a pre-fabricated reason to live, even though this question is asked every bloody second.

It only shows that the most important problem nowadays is lack of purpose, lack of ideology.

I told myself, ever since I was young, that my purpose in life is to learn what is best and try to change as many people as I can. That is my dream, and it never changes. It is also a problem, and as anyone can imagine, especially someone like yourself with a little common sense can tell, that If I were to give myself a problem I could solve in a day, my purpose in life would end before my life, and therefore I would again be purposeless, why do that?

Instead I proposed the only thing that make people memorable. To ascertain my legacy. If a person does not make a meaningful change in the world, he did not exist. Just like a date in your life doesn't exist unless it is a meaningful date (the day you met someone important, the day you are born, the day you get married...). I sincerely believe that the proper choice of a problem in life, the involvement in social challenges, and the right amount of obstacles for one's self is essential in living what most people claim is a "full life".

But not less important for me was to choose the correct course of action in order to approach this problem. If I am to change as many people as I can, I should do so directly, and become a doctor. So I am stimulated in many levels of thinking, science, math, medicine, chemistry... many many challenges, and a well paying goal. The true salvation of a human being. A person with a malfunctioning heart can pray all he or she wants, but they will need me (If I make it past med-school), and I will do my best to save them.

I think that additionally to saving lives, and making a reasonably good living that is well earned, this solution (as can many others) can also challenge me enough to make me feel good in many ways. Yes it is an egocentric thing to do, but is it as egocentric as claiming that a single group of men, of a single species of animal, of a single type of mammal of a single kind of kingdom, of a single planet, of a single (you get the idea), a spec, an atom in the universe.... just HOW egocentric is it for us to claim that WE are special? That we were "picked" by God.

No, we aren't. We are doomed on this little oven-cooked planet. And in a matter of time, we will be extinct. The "immortal" egyptians' and the impecable spartans' legacies, as well as our own legacies, will all burn away in time. We are nothing. But finding a meaning in our lives and immersing ourselves in that meaning lets us, as the magnetized little balls with a conscience that we are, live through this experience.

In some ways, the religions have it right, we were always here. But we were always dead. We were always particles. Maybe one of my atoms used to be in Napoleon's shoes. Who cares? This is our only chance to make the things we make possible. Why cry of people dying? Earth happened, we happened, and so wars happen. They can't happen in any other place right now (I hope), so let's make them happen. Lets experience as much as we can. Because sooner or later it's all over.

But it's not an excuse to do the least effort. If atoms managed this level of organization, the one needed for conscience. We should follow their example. Make civilization by creating culture (cultivating knowledge). Nobody needs to change the entire population, each of us should at least change ONE person out there. Reach out and make a difference. For at least that person. And if you do make that difference; if you are lucky enough to make everyone at the dinner table in your house smile, if you have a happy family, and don't give your back to others who need help, then you will have made it to heaven, right here, on Earth... while it lasted, and as far as I'm concerned if it was for eternity, we would take it for granted.

We are mortal, we enjoy it while it lasts, and hope it never ends.

Answer 2

I totally agree with you. People usually look at me sideways when I tell them this. People in general are egotistical so they think that we must as a whole and as individuals have a purpose. Now, just because I believe there is no reason for us being here, I think that we have deveolped a sense of humanity and since we are here that we need to make the best of it, and yes go and help our fellow man. I don't need a god to do this. It comes from with in me. All me. Guess I'm egotistical too, just in another way.

Answer 3

Search for your own direction, there is a higher power. I believe in a life after this life, whether or not we serve a God is entirely up to whether the countless forms of theology we have been preaching for centuries are true or not. I'm not conforming it all to a Judio-Christian belief. All religions speak truth. Perhaps the purpose of life is a preparation process for something....greater.

Answer 4

This is a topic debated by more than those who would be called "religious".
Without a god or God, you have to make your own purpose. Most atheists I've known and heard speak on the matter seem to agree that the purpose of life must be to please ourselves and not hurt others.

Answer 5

Life – it has a meaning and loving purpose - you just have to find your purpose and live it.

I believe every person is here for a definite purpose. Each person is special and valuable; that refers to me, you, your family, friends, in fact everybody! There is a loving plan for each of our lives here on earth and there is no such thing as coincidence. I don't believe that anything in life happens by chance and that every aspect of our lives points to something deeper.

You need to decide now to live for God rather than for yourself. You spend your life on Earth preparing yourself (as best you can) for death. I don't see death as a scary, negative experience, but birth into a bliss filled eternal life with God. I believe that this is something you have to consciously choose or not during your life on earth.

The meaning of life is for us to discover that we are true children of an infinitely loving and merciful God, to find out what our responsibilities are to our Creator, and to fulfill those responsibilities. Each of us is called to affirm, accept and develop the talents God has given us. -

Answer 6

God? I don't know about that,
maybe.. me, you and Friedrich Nietzsche and Trent Reznor
are all going to burn.
but to answer your question.
I think the meaning and purpose of life are two different things.
the easy one first;
Purpose:our purpose is to pursue pleasures (whatever we decide is pleasureful)
and to procreate (pleasureful in my book)
the meaning of life
I believe is different to everyone possessing a sound free-thinking mind.
not the drones that all believe (what they are taught) without question.
the meaning of my life is also simple. I am here to raise my children to be intelligent leaders to the mindless, stupid, masses.

Answer 7

Intelligence is the source of purpose. What purpose is the life of an avocado tree?

Answer 8

Wow, you are going to have a long and boring life if you don't believe there is a real purpose to your life. I wish you luck with the search.

Answer 9

Ecclesiastes 12:13:

The end of the whole matter let us hear: -- Fear God, and keep His commands, for this (is) the whole of man.

Answer 10

Life exists to teach me great things.