what is better: to make more money, to have fun, to have pleasures, to lead easy life or to sacrifice to make something worthy of my life, that is, to help others and to be remembered after my death?
2007-02-28 03:59:57 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
To live a virtuous life.
The question presents a false choice, derived from the assumption that "enjoyment" and "worthy actions" are mutually exclusive. They're not. The virtuous man performs "worthy" actions *because* he enjoys doing them. I know it sounds trite, but virtue is its own reward.
Let me explain it this way: when you were a kid, you probably wanted to eat candy all day. Now that you're older, you realize that candy, while tasty in the short run, does not provide the nourishment your body needs to survive. You're not completely opposed to candy-- you'll have a piece now and then-- but you've realized that there is more to life than stuffing yourself with sweets.
At a certain level of maturity, it becomes the same with other hedonistic pleasures. They're fun in the short run, but do not provide the nourishment your *soul* needs to survive. You still indulge from time to time, but you've realized that there is more to existence than creature comforts.
The thing is, you aren't sacrificing, and you aren't suffering for the greater good. Much as you enjoy and prefer a good, healthy meal over a box of chocolate, you enjoy and prefer a virtuous life over a hedonistic one.
Hope that made some sense.
2007-02-28 06:48:34 · answer #1 · answered by Balbanes 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To me, it's more important to life your life rather than working like crazy. In reality, the chances of you being remembered for something great are slim (just bein' honest). What's going to be there for you on your death bed: some corporation or job, or your family and loved ones?
I always pictured myself as a career women, but lately I've been realizing that it's not what life is about. Life is about experiencing relationships with other people, because that where you learn the biggest lessons about yourself and the world. Life is about traveling and learning to appreciate other cultures. Life is about the little moments between people you love. Those people will be the ones to remember you most, and they'll always carry those memories.
I think it's more important to just do right by your career, but not become a work-a-holic. Do something you enjoy and work hard, but make your outside life your priority.
That's just my two cents. I've knows many older people who regretted working so much and spending less time with their family. Because, like I said, who will be there when it all said and done? A company sees you as just business. A fmaily sees you for who you are.
2007-02-28 04:06:37 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If my own life is a valid example, I prefer a bit of both.
On one hand, I'm totally opposed to just dedicating every possible waking moment to making money. I've seen too many relationships ruined from that decision.
On the other hand, although I am most definitely a hedonist, I do observe some moderation with pleasure.
There's a time and place for everything, and there's wisdom in knowing when enough is enough of anything - work or play related.
2007-02-28 04:31:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
That is a good question. good thing you are asking yourself this now rather than later before you have spent your years.
I believe that to be able to do any good you have to become skillful in something. Starting by having "fun" is not the way. I must say that you can enjoy very much what you do but it is a fact that when cultivating a skill there will be parts that we do not, lets say wholeheartedly like but we know we still need to do them.
MONEY, It takes money to do most of the things, it cost you money to be connected with people, to drive a car when you visit a friend in need, to have a roof, etc.
My Advise is that you find a way to make money, legally, make enough money for you and some for doing thing for other people.
BUT, to be able to make good money you have to be good at what you do, I meant very good, outstanding. Your talent when mastered will provide for you and some of the other things you want to do in life.
When cultivating your talent don't forget about others, the people close to you, believe me is very easy that this happens. When you start been good at something you can easily get consumed.
2007-02-28 04:17:19 · answer #4 · answered by SUAVE38 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Life has no innate meaning. It simply has the meaning you assign to it.
Now, most people prefer to live a life to which they have assigned meaning. So, meaning is often individually determined within societal boundaries. That is, you try to do good in a way that society defines as good.
I say go for balance. Laugh a little, cry a little, work a little, play a little, dance a little, walk a little but, above all, love a lot.
2007-02-28 05:45:25 · answer #5 · answered by Greg C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
meaning life enjoy life work achieve worthy
2016-02-01 02:52:30 · answer #6 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Those things that you ask about have nothing to do with the meaning of life. They are things that people choose to do while they experience life. The meaning of life is to survive, and push your DNA a little bit further down the time line. Why? Because sooner or later, everything ends and Life (the nominative noun) is trying desperately to transcend that eventual day.
2007-02-28 04:21:16 · answer #7 · answered by Sophist 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello
A very good question. How many times have i heard friends and family saying
"what's the point of life when we only die at the end?"
I think everyone has their own thoughts about what this means to them but my thoughts are that its knowing that theres something i have done which has inproved someone elses life and made them happy. Learning from our own mistakes and warning others of them so they dont make them too. Passing on my experiences of life so that others can remember these and do good by them.
2007-02-28 04:11:05 · answer #8 · answered by Mystic Magic 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that question can be answered conclusively by watching the movie "Pay it Forward" Life may be long or short, we never know. It is our actions and how we treat those around us that impact this world, not material things.
I say this as a Christian
Others will say get all you can out of this world because that's all there is. How sad there life must be if they truly believe that this is all there is to life.
2007-02-28 04:12:53 · answer #9 · answered by EGOman 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have this all wrong.
The meaning of life is to be re-united with your Creator. He made you for His pleasure.
You are here on this earth, to grow and mature in charity,(helping others), compassion, (loving others), grace, (forgiving another person), and so on. You see it says nothing about you....but everything about others.
And by the way....you won't care or know if you will be remembered after your dead.
2007-02-28 05:07:45 · answer #10 · answered by Sabine5 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋