is the meaning of life irrelevant?

Question

think about it, time passes on no matter what we think, problems arise and are conquered (or at least learnt from), relationships come and go, life goes on. in the midst of this we're all trying to find meaning, some defining purpose. is the need for meaning illusionary? do we really need to know why we're here, what we're doing, for a happy, productive, mentally satisfying life? or is it not the meaning itself, but the process of questioning that is required? how much of it is meaningless? how much is needed? why have we convinced ourselves this notion is important at all? is anything significant going to happen if we don't know-- if we never know?

Answer 1

In the grand scope of things, the actual meaning itself is irrelevant. Each of us individually defines our own meaning and purpose. This illusion of absolute meaning inevitably distracts us from the process by which we strive to achieve our end-goals. How each of us achieves those goals differs. (It could be said that for some, the search, itself, could be their very own "meaning.")

Some have applied happiness as the one true meaning in life. However, "happiness" is really a temporary state of joy that fades away with time. When people say they are searching for "eternal happiness" (an impossibilty), they are, in actuality, longing for contentment, or "piece of mind." This includes all the "bad" things in life along with grasping and maintaining the knowledge and ability to deal with such adversity when it surfaces.

Answer 2

There is nothing wrong with looking for the meaning of life. In fact it can only be considered a good thing. Each of us has to work out why we're here, otherwise we'll be wondering through life confused and aimless.

If you know that you have a talent in public speaking, for example, then use your presentation skills to deliver speeches that would inspire people. If you know you are cut out for medical research, then do what is necessary to get into the medical field and try to find a medical cure.

We each have a role to play in this life, and I like knowing there is a purpose in my own life, and many people I know also feel the same. Just finding it all meaningless doesn't help you or anyone around you.

It just becomes another source of misery if you remain unfulfilled because you don't know your life's purpose. Isn't there enough misery in this world without adding to it? Get busy and you won't have time to ponder such questions. I mean that in a good way, not to put you down.

Any time I thought about such things when I was younger, I found I had to change gears mentally and think about something constructive so I wouldn't do my head in.

Answer 3

I think you've overly complicated things.

I think its when we're not in the middle of something - or perhaps when we're in a routine that we've become bored of - that we wonder this.

At other times, it doesn't really matter, since we're busy with other things.

You ask: "do we really need to know why we're here, what we're doing, for a happy, productive, mentally satisfying life?"

Perhaps having a happy life IS the meaning of life.

We make our own meaning. The idea of some meaning that comes from outside of us doesn't really make sense - what authority would such a meaning have? Why would we have to listen to it?

I think the meaning of life is just to be happy. Everyone has a different idea of how to do this, and so everyone has a different life. Some go after money, some are made happy by helping those less fortunate.
Do whatever it is that makes you happy - find a satisfying job, raise a family... and of course these things are easier said than done - which is why life has so many challenges.

Answer 4

Your answer of life could be irrelevant. I'm not saying that in a bad way. Perhaps you are here to help inspire others to achieve their purpose in life (goals.. whatever). Isn't that one of the most important roles you can play (they called it a muse in Dogma)? If you think of this when you wonder what your purpose is then I would guess you are a muse.

There is no meaning of life because there is no one particular meaning (everything exists because it has a purpose). The only thing on this Earth that matters is YOUR meaning. Before you can worry about the whole, you must first fulfill your existence (or meaning rather). Do your brain cells exist for no reason; what about the atoms that make up the matter of your brain cells?

Answer 5

I remember watching the movie Apocalypse Now, and two characters, one played by Charlie Sheen, were contemplating pretty much the same issue after a fierce battle.
The answer the other character came up with as to the purpose of life was "to survive."
I thought that was an interesting answer and pretty much covered everything.
I think every human reaches a point in life when they consider everything that is happening around them and has happened to them then makes a conscience decision as to whether or not to continue to exist. Many people don't make it passed that point and either take their own life or withdraw into themselves.
I have come to one conclusion. No matter what life is all about, chocolate cake always taste good. In other words, existence or being is exhilarating no matter what comes along with it. When I come to the end of life, I want to continue being.
I think that is the choice or the purpose of life.

Answer 6

u hav a point. But if we don't have a means for living then what's the point? What's the point of working our butts off throughout our entire lives if we're jus gonna die in the end? What's the point of living if all we will experience heartache, injustice, and evil? It's the meaning. It's the meaning of life that keeps us going. If there was no meaning of life, then I would just kill myself now. What's the point of going through so much crap if it does nothing. If I have a purpose, then I know that I must go through this crap in order to fulfill my purpose. Everyone will know their purpose someday. Its jus a matter of time. So, i don't think the meaning of life is irrelevant. It's essential. It's what makes us human. It's the constant curiousity and inquisitiveness of mankind that keeps us alive. And can ironically kill us. And also ironically, part of the meaning of life is searching for the meaning of life. (if that makes any sense) so don't worry. You'll realize it one day. If you havent already. Jus sit back and enjoy the ride my friend. Life's too insignificant. It's not the destination it's the journey. Because if the journey sucks then so will the destination. Hope I helped. By the way, I like the way you think man. We should talk sometime. I barely meet people who (I don't mean to brag) think the way I do. Cause sometimes, I think too much. My brain's New Years Eve fireworks. We should chat sometime. Just check my profile for my ID. Peace out.

Answer 7

I understand how you feel. The meaning of life is irrelevant in the aspect that we do not live in a Utopian society. We live in a society where freedom is an illusion. We are sent to school so we may learn to make money. We pay our taxes and that is the only purpose we have. Any other perceived purpose is an illusion. You only have control of yourself and your immediate surroundings (home). We all know that to live in a society where everything is free and a minimum working week is ideal. Yet to survive we must deceive, manipulate and lie to better our financial status. Even though we are not physically fighting for our survival on a personal level it is still survival. So any ideology of honour, love, loyalty and purpose are irrelevant. You will do what you need to do to survive.

Answer 8

Our human nature demands that our lives be worth living.

Albert Camus put it this way, "There is only one really serious philosophical question, and that is suicide. Deciding whether or not life is worth living is to answer the fundamental question in philosophy. All other questions follow from that." So purpose and meaning are not irrelevant from a mental health standpoint.

Furthermore our human experience shows us that things that have no purpose/meaning have no worth.

If we have no real purpose then our lives have no worth and all we can do is to invent something and pretend (this is your illusory part) that it is real and important.

We cannot invent our own reason for existing so when answerer #1 says "We make our own meaning", we know that it indicates a pretend meaning and now we have to convince ourselves that it is real and important.

Only if God exists can there possibly be real purpose and real meaning:

“Unless you assume a God, the question of life’s purpose is meaningless.” –Bertrand Russell

Answer 9

I think the grander question to ask yourself would be..

"Was there a time BEFORE we put meaning to everything?"

When things were just as they were.. because they were that way.. As if we were children.. When you are a child things are MAGIC, because.. You don't understand fully how things work. As we grow older... that magic slips away into the thoughtful process we call learning, and we(everyone who has come before us) has put a meaning to everything.. And when truly there isn't a meaning.. Some will decide to slap something like spirituality or.. religion on its back stating quite matter of factually "It's god's will..." or any other term you'd wish to place in there.

Is the meaning of life irrelevant.. -smiles- No, its not irrelevant, its just unknown.. It still has that lustrous mysterious magic.. I don't want to know..
I am happy to remain childlike in that regard.. Label me naive if you will.. but.. sometimes.. its good not to know everything..

Answer 10

If you have no meaning in your life, then your life is not worth living. You are living a life of emptiness. It is important to know the meaning of your life. I suggest the book, Finding your Purpose. It will help you better understand why you are here, and help you find your own purpose instead of going in circles in life and wasting the days that you could spend doing something meaningful.