If not, why is there the interdependence of so many species on this planet? This indicates at least some things in the Universe do have a purpose. The Fig tree wasp is a good example. Without the wasp, fig trees cannot reproduce. If they don't reproduce, of course they die. SInce we know as a fact, that there is a purpose to the existence of some species, how do you rationalize that there cannot be any purpose to our lives? How can a hypothesis apply to some of the world, but not all? I am just trying to understand.
2007-01-22 15:24:18 · 22 answers · asked by rndyh77 6 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Life has a purpose: to live, and to perpetuate itself.
Really, I recommend for you not the Dawkins book I normally do, but his books that explain biology - you may get a sense of how wonderful and diverse nature is, and perhaps an appreciation for those who dedicate their lives to understanding its mysteries.
2007-01-22 15:30:57 · answer #1 · answered by eldad9 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Plenty of things in the universe have a purpose. The purpose of a clothespin is to secure things. The purpose of socks is to keep your feet warm. The purpose of nail polish remover is to remove nail polish. Humans are very resourceful.
The fig tree got lucky that the wasps happened to be there. Had it evolved a bit further, so that other organisms could assist in its reproduction, they would. Do you think the purpose of animals is to give ticks something to feed on? Do worms exist for the purpose of helping you to catch a fish?
A thing can serve a purpose without having been created specifically to do so. A can of soda can function as a paperweight, but that's not WHY it exists. Viagra was originally developed as a HEART medicine. Super Glue, Popcicles, Corn Flakes, and Post-it Notes were all invented BY ACCIDENT.
The universe exists as a place for us to live and explore. That doesn't mean that it was put here for that reason.
2007-01-22 16:03:00 · answer #2 · answered by gelfling 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Life is the purpose. Life's only purpose is to LIVE, and/or not die. It does this buy reproducing, or propogating it's species. The purpose of the Fig Tree wasp is not to foster the trees existence. it's purpose is to survive. It does that and helping the Fig tree is just a byproduct of that drive to survive. That is the only purpose of life in this universe. To survive the harsh universe that is indifferent to life. If God created this universe to foster life, then why is life a constant battle for suvival? Why is nature so brutally violent and deadly? And why does everything every born meet it's end of existence?
The interdependance of species is to foster survival and life. Nothing else. Any more and you're infusing it with man's imagination and egocentricity of a universe created just for us...
2007-01-22 15:34:51 · answer #3 · answered by GobleyGook 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Interdependance does not mean the same thing as purpose, so your statement about species having a purpose is non-sequitor. It's like saying 'My dog has hair, and it helps keep him warm. If he got too cold, he might die. Since we know this as a fact, then his tail wags when he's happy."
Also, humans and farm animals are interdependant now that our populaton is too high for for a hunter gatherer system. Many farm animals could not survive without humans, so if we follow your argument the purpose of people is to be servants for cattle?
2007-01-22 15:42:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are confusing interdependence with purpose, as importance. For instance, yes things are interdependent on each other because it creates a balance that has occured through the natural evolution of things.
Purpose, as in we must do A+B because a god put us here is quite different. I don't think anything on the planet was "created" to serve some higher purpose. For it's own survival it has created interdependence on each other.
Do you get what i'm saying?
2007-01-22 15:30:36 · answer #5 · answered by fifimsp1 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You're "trying" to understand with prejudice in your heart. The fig tree doesn't exist solely because of the fig tree wasp and vice versa. They are simply two species that have formed a symbiosis by chance. You are looking at evolution from the wrong end. Now, you don't believe but are apparently trying to understand it and you never will. You need to free your heart from prejudice and then try to understand it.
2007-01-22 15:32:49 · answer #6 · answered by Desiree J 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No purpose I think.
It actually feels great, like a burden lifted off my shoulders to know that there is no purpose to life. Its just great
Of course every thing has a 'purpose' like your example. This is what we would call natural cause and effect. I was discussing this with my wife just last night actually. The topic waas every thing happening for a reason. Sure there is a reason for everything, but not behind everything. Basically life is sh!t happens, but as humans we are lucky enough to avoid some sh!t.
2007-01-22 15:35:12 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's not a matter of "purpose". Do you think God made the "purpose" of the male spider to die after sexual intercourse (yeah, female spiders often kill the males after sex).
Many plants (not just fig trees), including almost all flowers, depend on insects to reproduce. That's because they involved in the same environment. There's no grand design to it.
I don't understand how you could think otherwise... (?)
2007-01-22 15:29:25 · answer #8 · answered by WWTSD? 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
there is no purpose. because its just a cycle, its a law that life will always exist, doesn't have to be always human. it doesn't care what you feel or though in your mind, you have to learn to control and balance it to stay between the cycle (life and death) to have an everlasting life. forget the religion. its just all in the mind.
the real dynamics of the universe continues. no matter what you think you are right or wrong. we have to know the true system of the whole in order to have control and make decisions on our lives.
its a whole system, all species were formed and some become extinct in due neccessary, everything needs everything to sustain itself as a whole. the whole system is alive. the whole universe is alive, its not just us on earth. we are just part of the whole system. energy will just transformed in to another form. the death of the wasps is just from your understanding but theres more complex form of energy will transform
2007-01-22 15:41:37 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
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2016-11-26 20:19:50 · answer #10 · answered by ballow 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋