What is the probability that human life is accidental and absurd?

Question

I have reported the first response, proving that I can read and even know how to be civil and follow guidlines.

I have the philosopher’s intention of scratching at the roots. In the “Republic” (translated by R.E. Allen) Philosophy is defined as that which grasps the one, seeing it as it is in itself.
This question is a challenge to the YA Philosophy community to think in terms suitable to the topic. Surely, though many will see Plato as archaic, no serious philosopher would claim that his work is without value. Reason may not hold the lofty position Socrates assigns to it, but it cannot be reduced to meaninglessness without paying an enormous cost in our scientific endeavors and our moral values.
I ask about human life with a view to knowing whether or not it is worth while to ask; “How should a human life be lived in order to be most fully human and reach the excellence for which it is suited.”
I understand that most of our energies and attention is given to the pragmatic problems life presents to us. Thanks for trying to answer my question.

Answer 1

I'd like a firmer definition of what you mean by human life and the terms accidental and absurd. If you mean human life in terms of humanity on this planet, then absolutely humanity is accidental. However, human life, i.e. the individual, can absolutely be planned. My wife and I planned to bring our little one into this accidental race.

Absurdity of life is a bit more difficult. If you look at life as working to achieve the most financial goods, then life is absurd. If you view life as trying to make your loved ones and community better through your works all the while being able to enjoy yourself, then perhaps its not as absurd as it may first appear. The problem that arises is sometimes accomplishing those feats can be very difficult, and that is when the absurdity rears its ugly head.

Answer 2

Funny you asked, because I was thinking about the very same thing. I am not too sure about the accidental part, but the absurd part is a possibility. I mean, we communicate through wires and silly metal objects in space. We stare at a box that magically shows us people being morons. We fight wars so that we can be the ones to dig in the ground to get some black fluid that can heat our homes AND make a car go. Man, there are so many other absurd things. I just wonder how hard the superior being watching this disaster is laughing right now.

Answer 3

The bible takes the answer for granted. The best explanation found in literature that I can think of can be found in a comic book called "the Watchmen" where there was a debate about whether human life was worth saving. The debate was between someone who is human and someone who no longer is.

What really is the consequence of human life to the universe? Does it matter at all? As the debate resolved itself, it concluded that there were so many factors contributing to life on this planet that it can only be a miracle that we are here. Its the uniqueness of it that was special.

The chapter concluded with a nice quote from C.G. Jung, "as far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human life is to cast a light of meaning in the darkness of mere being."

Answer 4

Those who wish to avoid responsibility will give a deity directed answer to that. Those who haven't found a way to manage their delusions and are lost in binary thinking will agree with the absurdity. Very few will be comfortable with the accident aspect. In all of this, what is lost is that nature is indifferent and what we have is the opportunity to make good causes.

Answer 5

Obviously some are going to tell you that life is not an accident. Some greater power created life on this planet.

I tend to believe that life is an accident. I am wholly amazed that given how violent the universe was and is that life is able to survive on this bit of rock at all.

Answer 6

Man is a member of the Kingdom of Animalia. Animalia may indeed be an accident unless one has faith in God as the creator. Absurd? Man is the "rational animal" in the Kingdom, and Reason is not absurd.

Answer 7

What if it was? Would you be able to live with that? Whoever thought of this first - got scared and started to invent religions, afterlife theories and purposes in life.
After all - human life is what you believe it is, because noone knows for sure, and if anyone does -they certainly cannot prove it.
I believe every life have a purpose. I have not found mine yet, so I'm just enjoying it for what it is.

Answer 8

The probability of a sperm reaching the womb is less than one in a million, but here we are. The probability of life becoming absurd after that is high because we are social creatures and society shapes our value systems.

Answer 9

I see the absurdity of human life daily...can't figure it out and I don't think I, or anyone else, ever will. And I hope we are just accidental...if we were preplanned than it was done out of an act of destruction. Because that is all we do....destroy everything. And because the Bible was written by absurd humans I wouldn't use it as a reference to why and what we are doing here.

Answer 10

100% - Life (I assume your refering to it's origins) is definitely accidental. Actually, it's better defined as random. Life has very limited conditions in which it can exist, and the Earth is one of the rare examples of the odd combinations required. Probably a Gazillion to one odds against it, but then "low probability" does not equal "no possiblity". Ask lottery players, one of which beat 20 million+ to one odds every week.