Why is it necessary that we find purpose behind our existence?

Question

Are we too insecure to accept the possibility that chance and natural guiding forces (mainly natural selection) were in fact natural, and we are merely a product of that? Are our self-esteems not able to take such a blow, and we must believe we are significant?

We are smarter than the other animals, yes - though you could argue that the other animals at least know how to live at peace with the natural world. What we take for granted as "human" characteristics are found in other animals, mainly other primates. To name a few examples - the ability to communicate, use tools, the complex social groups (which we still don't understand completely), reliance on learning rather than instinct, emotions, empathy, etc.

What basis is there to believing we have a "higher" purpose, other than we want to?

Summer B, after taking a few probability courses, I know a thing or two about it.

What most evolution-doubters don't understand is that it is not chance. The mutations are, yes, but natural selection disgards to negative ones and reproduces the advantageous ones. Life was suited to the environment through natural selection - the environment was not suited to us.

Sorry for my typos.. didn't get much sleep.

Furthermore, I'm not saying we have no purpose. I'm asking why people think we have a "higher" purpose, or some supernatural reason for being here.

Nature could not be any more harmonious. I think you got it backwards - humans add to the chaos.

I appreciate your answers but I would like more originality and thought, rather than repeating what others before you have repeated to this answer.

Other primates do not act on instinct - their survival is based on learning, as is ours. You believe otherwise because you want to believe otherwise, even though you are incorrect.

Answer 1

Human beings are neurochemically wired to have a certain type of consciousness that causes them to contemplate existence and mortality and also to think magically/spiritually as well as scientifically. (Who knows why. Consciousness researchers and neuropsychiatrists dabble in that.) From this, people have a need to create "meaning." These meanings can all be regarded as "provisional"-- and there are some religions (eg, Buddhism) and philosophies (eg, existentialism) that attest to this reasoning.

I "believe" that all meaning is provisional but I go on living as if things really had "meaning" because it would be very difficult to live a normal life otherwise. I trust that things are just going the way they are supposed to--as they always have long before I showed up as a sentient being-- and so I do not have fear about what will be or have anxieties about what I should "believe. " Reality is what it is; it is not predicated on my belief in something or pursuit of "meaning" or lack of it.

Answer 2

The necessity of inquire about the purport of life, is not awake in everyone, therefore, the first aphorism in the Vedänta-sütra is athäto brahma jijïäsä. In the human form of life one should put many questions to himself and to his intelligence. In the various forms of life lower than human life the intelligence does not go beyond the range of life's primary necessities—namely eating, sleeping, mating and defending. Dogs, cats and tigers are always busy trying to find something to eat or a place to sleep, trying to defend and have sexual intercourse successfully. In the human form of life, however, one should be intelligent enough to ask what he is, why he has come into the world, what his duty is, who is the supreme controller, what is the difference between dull matter and the living entity, etc. without inquiry about the Supreme, or the Transcendence, one cannot give up attachment for this material world. By the evolutionary process in 8,400,000 species of life, one cannot understand the ultimate goal of life because in all those species of life, the bodily conception is very prominent. So, human life is meant for understanding the ultimate cause.
The material body is certainly natural, since is the product of this material nature, but the living force within the body, is not at all from this nature, and from that is when human inquires begin.

Answer 3

Those primates do exhibit human charecteristics, however the level thay are at is not truly comparable at this time.

also not all primates live in perfect harmony. Many species of ape and monkeys are known to be violent aswell. As in they will engage in mini wars for teritory.

The basis is that there is no creature on this planet (that we have discovered) with a remote sembleance to our capabilities.

We have a higher purpose. By Virtue of the fact that we are the control to chaos. The natural "Harmony" you speak of.

Harmony is co-existance. In the terms of life. Then there is no harmony in the natural world. Many creatures will fight and kill each other. That is not co-existence. That is dissonance.

The harmony of nature is the freedom of all indiviuals to live freely as they can manage.

Answer 4

Consider the math behind the earth and the human body. What are the odds that the earth would be just right for live to exist? What are the odds that our bodies work the way they do?
Do some research on the internet, you'd be fascintated by the math.

Answer 5

as a results of fact of our organic and organic makeup, all of us certainly decide to stay alive, take exhilaration in issues and pursue targets. yet as for a "element" or "purpose" that we exist, there are a number of unusual techniques. i've got oftentimes puzzled why human beings, exceedingly atheists, think of that there could be a element or reason in the back of life. (faith is all approximately explaining a reason in the back of life so I comprehend theist opinion.) We, alongside with billions of alternative life varieties, constantly stay and die in the international and there is no "purpose". Like a typhoon or a hearth, life is a technique that maintains as long as situations enable. No magic is in contact. .

Answer 6

The difference between animals and humans is we are able to think and reason.We are spiritual . Animals live by instinct which was put there by God. As long as there is sin in the world there will never be peace.

Answer 7

I don't know about purpose. I just want to know why? What is the reason for me to be here. Server God? NO. Evolve in to something else? Probably. I just want to know why I have to do this? If thats a part of purpose then yes I want to know.

Answer 8

Humans are a higher order of being because of our spirituality. That, and our heightened self-awareness may be our only differentiating characteristics. But unless you want to go live in a cave,you'll need a purpose for your existence.

Answer 9

Following a purpose is thought to bring merit. It's tied in to the whole "praise and blame" nonsense that (unfortunately) only some people manage to grow out of.

Answer 10

Because if you find the purpose of your existence then you can focus on fulfilling your reason to exist. This is the ultimate happiness. That's why those saved looks happier like if they are doped, because they are drunk with happiness.