If life has meaning, or a purpose, then what is it?

[Siri137]

Is this the answer, or is it tautological or circular?

I ask because I've come across many within the 'Religion' section of this site who have made this particular claim, and yet they've never given a reason why they believe what they do. So... what is it? If you believe that we're here for a reason, then what is the reason? My own belief is that we're born, we live, we die, and that's it. I also believe that we should be thankful for the chance at life that we've been given, because we could so easily have never had this chance, the odds against our appearing on the scene being literally astronomical.

I'm looking at the image I posted above, and I can't help but think that this cannot be the answer, because how would one go about finding purpose if life is inherently meaningless (yes, that's an assumption - I could be wrong about that).

Anyway, over to you! :)

[CupcakeTheDestroyer]

The definition of a life’s purpose changes based on who you ask for a reason. Christians will tell you the purpose is to serve and worship Jehovah, Muslims will say it’s Allah you should worship, Jewish folks say it’s YHWH, Buddhists will say it’s to do as much good as possible, etc.


The defined purpose changes because there is no defined purpose. Quotes like the one in the picture are meant to inspire, and it’s not a bad goal to have, the issue is just making a purpose rather than waiting for the universe to give you one. Making or finding a purpose for yourself is hard. Most people don’t bother beyond the purpose of survival and procreation, which is the most natural purpose a person can have bc that’s what made our hairless ape ancestors last long enough to make us, the rest is kind of up to the individual. A defined purpose depends on the person defining the purpose. There is no one answer that universally works beyond maybe surviving. The rest depends on you, what allows you to feel fulfilled, what helps you recognize the beauty of your own life, whatever makes you feel like you. And the best part about that last bit is that feeling like you is always in flux, it’s rarely so stagnant that the things that helped you feel fulfilled at 20 still work when you’re 30 or 40 and I personally find that exciting. I love to rediscover myself, or see what’s new about me and what I can bring into my life. Purpose is whatever you feel like, purpose is just a reason to keep going and keep surviving, there’s no perfect answer so just go and do and find out for yourself what it is and I think you’ll be very happy with the results.

[Simslover92]

Life is what you make it. The thing about free will that I love is that you can create any reality you want to create in your mind of why you're here. What's your purpose? Whatever you want it to be.

[moneymagnet24]

Life is all about having fun..
No one knows beyond the point in life..

No need to write long essay 😕

[KostasKouvalis]

Yes, I agree. We seem to have no useful purpose whatsoever. We're the only species that produces waste that no other organism can utilize and we also seem to do more harm than good.

It seems we exist solely to work and pay bills and taxes to the government, but that's hyperbole.

And I mean yeah, I'm greatful to have the opportunity to experience the wonders of this planet, but I see absolutely no large scale benefit of us being here. We have no symbiotic relationship with any other organism. So yeah, just enjoy the ride and don't think too deeply about it.

[Staximus]

I think that depends on the person in question. Some people's lives have a purpose. Some are just alive and here to live a life and do whatever. I didn't know why I was here for a long time. Felt like I was just drifting in life. I know why I'm here now. My purpose and what I want to do with myself are 2 different things, though. I was given a great gift\ ability\ talent but I've been running from it my whole life.

[RebelinSteel]

I’m with you on this one, we are born, we are given a life to live, for some it’s bad for others good and a rollercoaster in between. At the end we die and that’s it really. If we are here for any reason it’s to help others, being nice to those that need support. I avoided simply saying 42.

[Siri137]

42, the "Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy" reference. I couldn't get through that book, it was just so awfully boring and not at all funny. I don't know why so many praise it.

[RebelinSteel]

It is a hard read and parts of it are not really funny

[VV3ZZY123]

I took LSD once and found a Riddle. At the peak of my trip I asked the question "what is life?"
Something answered back and said. "Are you sure you want to know?" I said "yea" then it said "Life is a Practical Joke" and that's why nobody can figure it out.

[genericname85]

it has no meaning or purpose. the sooner you accept that, the sooner you can be content with what you have and what you do.

you can think of "purpose and meaning" as a software running on our brain computers that is efficient and figuring out the mechanisms of nature in order to let us learn these mechanisms and exploit them to survive. it is not a good software to run if you are looking for happiness or satisfaction in life.

[electromagnetic]

What’s purposeful to me might not be the same for you. To live life is exactly thy. Just love it until you die.

[ProbablyClueless]

I know that the purpose I have made for my own life is to be in connection with other people. I want to live a life of excitement and adventure, of course, but I also want to prioritize my relationships with others.

[strateguy632]

based on our advantages mentally n writing, over other brains, our purpose is to sort to identify TRUTH and write about it. to "fight" for truth.

[DrPepper12]

"The greatest happiness is to vanquish your enemies, to chase them before you, to rob them of their wealth, to see those dear to them bathed in tears, to clasp to your bosom their wives and daughters."

[RetroReviews]

To reach everyone you possibly can for the Lord Jesus God wants a big family

[Siri137]

Why would the creator of all there is, either need or want a "family"? That doesn't make any sense.

[RetroReviews]

It makes perfect sense if you're not spiritually blind but I know you're not a Believer so there's no sense in going any further with this

[Siri137]

"Spiritually blind"? Oh, you mean I'm not gullible. Yes, that's correct, I won't accept bald assertions without reason (s) to, or evidence, or a convincing argument. It doesn't make any sense at all, and you know it!

[RetroReviews]

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.- John 3:18

[Siri137]

Utterly meaningless. Why is belief so important? Seriously, I've never understood this. Why would an omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent Grand Designer care in the least about whether or not some insignificant lifeforms on some remote planet in this vast universe believed in "Him" or not? Do microbiologists care about the microbes they're examining under their microscopes?

[RetroReviews]

Comparing like a biologist to the God who spoke the universe into existence is a profane insult and it downright ignorant on your part okay. But God cares because he loves us we are not insignificant We Are made In His image. Hell was made for the devil and his angels not mankind that's why he gave his son Jesus to die for the world so we could be reconciled back to him. He presented his son to the world and said believe in my son and you will have eternal life it's that simple it ain't about going to church or being religious it's about simple belief when the thief that died on the cross next to Jesus said to him remember me when you come into your kingdom Jesus said to him surely this day you will be with me in Paradise he acknowledged him he was saying I believe who you say you are. That's why it says those who just simply call on the name of the Lord will be saved because when you call on his name you are acknowledging him you are saying I believe you I believe you are the Christ the Savior the Messiah and you died for me so I could be with you always

[Siri137]

"... the God who spoke the universe into existence..."
I'm going to need evidence for this claim, if you don't mind.
A profane insult? I don't care.
"God cares because he loves us" - Really? Why? Explain. Why should I believe this?

[RetroReviews]

My evidence is the Bible. Look at the world do you think this happened by an accident or an explosion could create this world and maintain it? On the 6th day God treated man he said let us make man in our image and are likeness.. and you should believe this unless you want to burn in hell forever.

[Siri137]

"My evidence is the Bible"
Okay, listen up. I'll say this only once. THE BIBLE IS NOT EVIDENCE!
It's just a BOOK, or more accurately, a collection of books, written over an approx. 1500 year timespan, by various authors who at the time didn't know they were contributing to something we now call 'The Bible'.
It proves precisely nothing.

[RetroReviews]

Well that's where we disagree I believe it's the word of God and it points out the creation of the world and all the way through when Jesus comes for all that believe in him which is the rapture which is very soon by the way will most likely be called alien abduction when millions vanish
. Then 7 years later he rules the Earth for a thousand years. I'm doing this because time is short and I'm trying to warn people

[Siri137]

You can "believe" whatever you like! That doesn't make it true!

[RetroReviews]

Think about it this way if I'm wrong you guys can laugh and mock and scoff and make fun okay big whoop doesn't phase me one bit all right. But if you're wrong... oh are you in big trouble

[Siri137]

Pascal's Wager? That's pathetic. :D
And why would I be "in trouble" for simply not accepting propositions that I find impossible to accept? Where's the logic in that?

[RetroReviews]

Anyone who does not have their sins forgiven by believing in Jesus spends eternity suffering in the fires of hell I call that big trouble. And it sounds like if you were to die today you would find yourself in hell wishing you could have one more chance to come back to earth and take my advice. Once you're there there is no getting out there is no end or relief to your torment pain and torture while you're there this is serious shit okay and I can't help that your brain doesn't believe these things but I'm hoping one day your heart does because it comes down to what you believe in your heart Romans chapter 10 verse 9 if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved

[Static_In_The_Attic]

It’s different for each as well as everyone of us & it might take us a lifetime to figure that out.

[WhitneySnow]

Existentialism answers that our purpose is to help others

[strateguy632]

oh give Existentialism credit... that is the crime called plagiarism. steal from jesus and take credit.

[Siri137]

Actually, no, it doesn't. As I understand it, Existentialism posits that we should just accept the absurdity of existence, because it has no meaning. It's similar to what I believe, actually.

[Siri137]

@strateguy632 And "Jesus" stole from others. Everyone steals ideas, that's nothing new.

[adam6402]

Our time on earth is just the proving ground for our position in the afterlife

[CoolCatMar1]

To find love , become the best version of yourself and try to live a happy pife

[CoolCatMar1]

Life

[Anonymous]

It's just the matrix dude. It's not personal.

Although if there is purpose, you'll probably find it in the people most dear to you.

[Anonymous]

As a muslim ths purpose of creation is to worship god solely part of worship is obedience also from a spiritual perspective i believe that we need to seeks out god from a spiritual experience to witness oneness and seperation.

[jshm2]

What's the purpose of meaning?

[Siri137]

Damned if I know.

[Paris13]

Any Of God's Blessings. xxoo

[sheikalana]

You need to find your own purpose in life.

[talka20]

one of em is to be just

[OtterMan68]

leave the world a better place than you found it

[driven159]

you make that yourself