The Meaning of Life

[BoyNextDoor]

I believe that the The Meaning of Life is entirely individual.

Some people run marathons while others turn to pharmaceuticals. Many seek a higher power while a growing majority see the power within themselves. Others see meaning in an entirely physical existence of hedonistic excess and wild gaiety. A precious few are drawn to quiet contemplation, introspection, examination and revelation.

There are even people that troll porn boards seeking the acknowledgement of others almost as if they need to be recognized to feel real, in order to bring meaning to their lives.

Where, or in what, do you find meaning? Do you believe that the The Meaning of Life is entirely individual?

 

[BabblingBrooke]

Deep thoughts with BND.

I suppose I find meaning in human interaction. That said, I have never found myself on a search for meaning. I value connection and solitude, chaos and peace...experience.

 

[pointless]

i find meaning in weakening my own philosophical stance with petty, judgmental sniping.

 

[renard_ruse]

Being a proud heterosexual.

 

[GuiltyPleasure]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucgU2DJlBiw

 

[BoyNextDoor]

Deep thoughts with BND.

I suppose I find meaning in human interaction. That said, I have never found myself on a search for meaning. I value connection and solitude, chaos and peace...experience.

Laurel banned my alt, Jack Handy

 

[BabblingBrooke]

i find meaning in weakening my own philosophical stance with petty, judgmental sniping.

That seems pointless.

 

[pink]

I have no clue.

 

[LIVINRFANTASIES]

Denny---<-----that's me! The male half

I'm reminded of that strange comedy movie THE MEANING OF LIFE.

As our lives get closer to the end sometimes I wonder why we were here and who will even remember us after we are gone.
Look at a very old tomestone in an obscure cemetary. Who were they? What did they do to make the world a better or worse place?
I'm beginning to think life has no meaning.

 

[barefootgirl69]

I thought I would find the answer in this thread.

I think it's meaning is different for each individual. What is important to me won't be important to you. The way I live my life and the way you live yours are totally different.

But, there's a certain beauty in all that. Especially when, being so different, we still can have a conversation and enjoy those things we may have in common.

I will say that a few here know what today is and what it means to me, and that I feel that we should make sure that the ones who are important to us ought to be told regularly. Don't wait.

 

[SgtSpiderMan]

Forty-two.

 

[BoyNextDoor]

Forty-two.

{1 \over T}\int_0^T \left| \zeta\left({1 \over 2} + it\right) \right|^6\,dt \sim {42 \over 9!}\prod_p \left\{1-{1\over p}\right\}^4 \left( 1 + {4 \over p} + {1 \over p^2} \right) \log^9 T = 42

 

[BoyNextDoor]

I thought I would find the answer in this thread.

I think it's meaning is different for each individual. What is important to me won't be important to you. The way I live my life and the way you live yours are totally different.

But, there's a certain beauty in all that. Especially when, being so different, we still can have a conversation and enjoy those things we may have in common.

I will say that a few here know what today is and what it means to me, and that I feel that we should make sure that the ones who are important to us ought to be told regularly. Don't wait.

barefootgirl69 is walking a path that leads to the Meaning of Life for sure

 

[BabblingBrooke]

Forty-two.

*applauds*

 

[pensivepoet]

I have no clue.

The wisest of all answers.
IMO

 

[doctor_insanus]

Hodor.

 

[Lorilei]

Is there one? Really? I don't think so.

Unless, of course, it turns out to be 42.

 

[BabblingBrooke]

Hodor.

I think that's it. One word, infinite meanings.

 

[pensivepoet]

Dolf.

 

[BoyNextDoor]

Is there one? Really? I don't think so.

Unless, of course, it turns out to be 42.

Well now, that is the question - isn't it? That really cuts to the heart of it. "Is there one"? Is there a meaning of life?.

So your answer seems to be "No." And that is a wonderful and delicious answer. It is so freeing and open. So experiential and now.

What do you do for fun Lady Lorilei?

 

[Five_Inch_Heels]

There is no meaning. We are clusters of organics. We're born. We breath for a while. We die. We rot.

 

[BoyNextDoor]

There is no meaning. We are clusters of organics. We're born. We breath for a while. We die. We rot.

Think about all of the meaning that can be attached to what you just said ..

We are BORN!

We BREATHE!

WE DIE!

Particularly, "we rot". So beautifully full of meaning. How about "We return to the infinite undeniability of the fact that what is can never be undone, just transformed".

Woah!

 

[doctor_insanus]

I think that's it. One word, infinite meanings.

There is wisdom in Hodor's brevity.

There is no meaning. We are clusters of organics. We're born. We breath for a while. We die. We rot.

Ugh. Just because you can't conceive of a meaning, doesn't mean there isn't one.

https://ajumbleofthingsgoingoninmyhead.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/star-stuff-copy-2.jpg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1rFAaAKpVc

 

[Colonel Hogan]

The fact that individuals vary so widely on this question does not necessarily mean that the meaning of life is truly individualistic or that it has no meaning at all. Could be true, but maybe not.

There could very well be a true, objective meaning to life, especially human life, essentially comporting with one (or more) religious systems -- or a "meaning" derived from something else not even remotely known to us.

I tend to the religious view probably due largely to my upbringing, but also as the result of the mystery of our own sense of self-awareness. Self-awareness has been observed in other animals of high intelligence, but not to the same degree as humans.

Considering that our physical bodies are made up of the same physical elements existing in all of nature, there is nothing about that chemistry which fundamentally explains self-awareness or why the human brain undergoes mental illness when that chemistry somehow goes "wrong."

That just seems weird to me and indicative of something greater than the sum of our parts -- something obviously still outside the realm of human knowledge. Which is why I am reluctant to proclaim that the meaning of life is whatever I wish to believe it is.

 

[Mr Noone]

The fact that individuals vary so widely on this question does not necessarily mean that the meaning of life is truly individualistic or that it has no meaning at all. Could be true, but maybe not.

There could very well be a true, objective meaning to life, especially human life, essentially comporting with one (or more) religious systems -- or a "meaning" derived from something else not even remotely known to us.

I tend to the religious view probably due largely to my upbringing, but also as the result of the mystery of our own sense of self-awareness. Self-awareness has been observed in other animals of high intelligence, but not to the same degree as humans.

Considering that our physical bodies are made up of the same physical elements existing in all of nature, there is nothing about that chemistry which fundamentally explains self-awareness or why the human brain undergoes mental illness when that chemistry somehow goes "wrong."

That just seems weird to me and indicative of something greater than the sum of our parts -- something obviously still outside the realm of human knowledge. Which is why I am reluctant to proclaim that the meaning of life is whatever I wish to believe it is.

If ultimate "meaning" is outside the realm of human knowledge, then It is incumbent upon each of us to assign what meaning we can. I do agree that we humans are somehow greater than the sum of our chemical makeup; we share so much biology with other primates. Perhaps that's merely hubris, but hubris appears unique to humans.