What does it mean to "be"?

Question

in philosophical terms :)

Answer 1

to be in existence [physically, mentally, or spiritually]

Answer 2

In literary terms, Shakespear put it succinctly; To be, or not to be. That is the question.
In philosophical terms, this is one of the real brainbusters of all time, because there are so many different definitions of what 'being' is. Does it deal with the physical sense of occupying space? Does it deal with the mental capacity of awareness? Does it deal with the human ability to imagine? It can be any of those - or none.

Answer 3

To "be" means to have some sort of symbolic representation to exist. In other words, if any conscious entity is aware of something it automatically is (or 'be's if you want to get hardcore on nomenclature).

Something doesn't need to exist in the physical world to be. An idea can "be" an idea, but by other definitions an idea might not "be" anything; like if you're thinking from the strictly tangible POV. "If your idea isn't in a working form then it is as if it doesn't exist at all."

There's the concept of "just be" which suggests that we concentrate and be satisfied with the fact that we are conscious of our own existence; i.e. "just be[sic] grateful that you're around" - it implies that being conscious of our own existence or at least others being conscious of the existence of something is adequate for satisfaction.

Answer 4

First and third person singular past indicative was (wŭz, wŏz; wəz when unstressed), second person singular and plural and first and third person plural past indicative were (wûr), past subjunctive were, past participle been (bĭn), present participle be·ing (bē'ĭng), first person singular present indicative am (ām), second person singular and plural and first and third person plural present indicative are (är), third person singular present indicative is (ĭz), present subjunctive be

v. intr.

To exist in actuality; have life or reality: I think, therefore I am.

To occupy a specified position: The food is on the table.
To remain in a certain state or situation undisturbed, untouched, or unmolested: Let the children be.
To equal in identity: "To be a Christian was to be a Roman" (James Bryce).
To have a specified significance: A is excellent, C is passing. Let n be the unknown quantity.
To belong to a specified class or group: The human being is a primate.
To have or show a specified quality or characteristic: She is witty. All humans are mortal.
To seem to consist or be made of: The yard is all snow. He is all bluff and no bite.
To take place; occur: The test was yesterday.
To go or come: Have you ever been to Italy? Have you been home recently?
Used as a copula in such senses as:
To equal in identity: "To be a Christian was to be a Roman" (James Bryce).
To have a specified significance: A is excellent, C is passing. Let n be the unknown quantity.
To belong to a specified class or group: The human being is a primate.
To have or show a specified quality or characteristic: She is witty. All humans are mortal.
To seem to consist or be made of: The yard is all snow. He is all bluff and no bite.
To belong; befall: Peace be unto you. Woe is me.

Answer 5

It's a take off from the verb "to be" which is the existential verb and denotes existence and being. Some languages do not have the verb "to be" such as Russian. I "am" a student is "I student" but is translated to English as "I am a student".

Existence and being is assumed in many other languages as well without any verb or word to denote such.

Answer 6

It's the first of 3 "rules" I encountered as a hippie in the 60's:
1) Be
2) Not kid
3) Or get out!

Answer 7

Improper english

Answer 8

is it from "hamlet"? to be or not to be, that is the question? it means to exist in the present state, would you still exist in an altered form. taken as it is, it means to simply exist, live, in a particular form or condition.

Answer 9

ser o estar.
depending on the context.

in spanish we have different verbs for the verb to be.

I am,= Yo soy = Yo estoy, for example.

Answer 10

It means to exist.

Answer 11

To be alive and competent in your actions. Hence the start of that famous quote "To be, or not to be".