I know, this is the usual question and been here before I quess, but..
...presented in one simple sentence, what is the meaning of life ?
I will go first...

To sustain life.

To copy your genes for the next generation.

I know, this is the usual question and been here before I quess, but..
...presented in one simple sentence, what is the meaning of life ?
I will go first...

To sustain life.If there are no meaning to life, would there be any reason to sustain it?

To sustain life, as the primary reason is false.

But hey, now we know what the meaning of life is not!

The same goes for Oniw17, why do you think that this question has lasted so long?

Cyperium
To sustain life, as the primary reason is false.
-why is that, if life sustains all the rest will follow thus there is no need for other reasons.

42.

42 :roflmao: Good book that hitchikers quide :) By the way, there was 42 gods in ancient Egypt...

Cyperium
To sustain life, as the primary reason is false.
-why is that, if life sustains all the rest will follow thus there is no need for other reasons.It is false because there would be no meaning to sustain life, if life in total had no meaning. So in order for sustaining life to have meaning at all, life in total has to have meaning, so sustaining life is not the primary reason.

Per facto.

Cyperium
It is false because there would be no meaning to sustain life, if life in total had no meaning.

-The fact that life exist does imply that there is reason for it and I cant think another primary reason to live than keep it going and see where it will lead us ~ sustain life.
-If one argues that life has no meaning, well, thats a whole new ball game.

If I live my life so that my primary reason to live is sustain life and act upon my belief isnt it meaning of life to me ?

-The fact that life exist does imply that there is reason for it
No it doesn't.

It merely confirms that a certain set of circumstances will produce a certain result or effect.

Anything more is subjective interpretation which has validity only if a particular set of thoroughly artificial parameters are accepted as a given.

we each create our own meaning in life - which changes along the way

Some argues that whole universe is just flow of information, if so, how could information be meaningless ? Be patient with me, I´m just exploring with these assumptions :)

So there is no meaning(reason) to my existence, or I have to make one ?

Some argues that whole universe is just flow of information, if so, how could information be meaningless ? Be patient with me, I´m just exploring with these assumptions :)

So there is no meaning(reason) to my existence, or I have to make one ?

you make your reason based on the life you lead.

"Have... a good time... all the time."

I personally think you create your own meaning. If you were not sentient then I suppose reproduction would be the meaning of your existence. As you are sentient, "meaning" takes on a whole different meaning :)

Also your life will probably change course as you live it.

"Have... a good time... all the time."

-Thats a good one :)

It is. I only wish I could take credit for it.

It is. I only wish I could take credit for it.

that'll be 19.8 APR

you make your reason based on the life you lead.

Vice it is then.

I know, this is the usual question and been here before I quess, but..
...presented in one simple sentence, what is the meaning of life ?
I will go first...

To sustain life.

That's actually the purpose you are getting at and not the meaning. Either way here are the answers to both questions:

PURPOSE OF LIFE:

Objective: To persist
Subjective: Whatever you like.

MEANING OF LIFE:

Objective: The relationship life has to whatever it can have a relationship with.
Subjective: Whatever you like.

physical or mental life?

I know, this is the usual question and been here before I quess, but..
...presented in one simple sentence, what is the meaning of life ?
I will go first...

To sustain life.

What for? Life for the sake of life? That's what animals do, but I doubt that they ever thought about the sense of their existence.

My take: Life is pointless/senseless. You are given life by a chance or whomever, you may just try to enjoy it (if you can), that's it.

Some argues that whole universe is just flow of information, if so, how could information be meaningless ? Be patient with me, I´m just exploring with these assumptions :)

So there is no meaning(reason) to my existence, or I have to make one ?

Information is purely human concept, like good and evil, it "exists" only in human brains.

I know, this is the usual question and been here before I quess, but..
...presented in one simple sentence, what is the meaning of life ?
I will go first...

To sustain life.
Life is absurd.

Life is everything that You make it. It is up to you to define what you want out of life then go out and get it done if you try.:)

Life is everything that You make it. It is up to you to define what you want out of life then go out and get it done if you try.:)

No, it's not up to you. Since you are born with clean brain (except basic insticts), what you will define (if you even would bother to define anything) and get out (or not) is closely related to the environment & people who loaded your matrix, as well as to the size of wallet of your parents. Besides, it's really a recent luxury to be able to define stuff and go out to get it. Had you been born 300 years ago in India to untouchable parents - good luck in defining.

I know, this is the usual question and been here before I quess, but..
...presented in one simple sentence, what is the meaning of life ?
I will go first...

To sustain life.
close, but no

sometimes life sacrifices itself for some greater cause

To copy your genes for the next generation.
no

sometimes life kills a whole bunch of other life (including family members)



the meaning of life is

Vedänta Sütra 1.1.12
om ananda-mayo 'bhyäsät

by nature we seek pleasure

... the meaning of life is

Vedänta Sütra 1.1.12
om ananda-mayo 'bhyäsät

by nature we seek pleasure


The meaning of life is:

"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." - Revelation 4:11

The meaning of life is:

"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." - Revelation 4:11



Seems Lord himself not quite sure about the meaning of life. At least he/she/it found the meaning in the emulating human despots seeking to receive glory, honour, power and all the rest good shit. Have been people made in Lord's image or Lord was made in people's?

The meaning of life is:

"Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created." - Revelation 4:11

atheists may disagree

but i think they will agree that everyone seeks pleasure

( of course the next question one could ask is what types of pleasure are more valid than others)

close, but no
sometimes life sacrifices itself for some greater cause

-Can you specify ?


sometimes life kills a whole bunch of other life (including family members)


-Maybe, whomever the killer was, didnt know the meaning of life ?



the meaning of life is

Vedänta Sütra 1.1.12
om ananda-mayo 'bhyäsät

by nature we seek pleasure

-This just describes our tendencies.

Life is absurd.

-Yes, like this thread :)

Bluemoose
“
Originally Posted by lightgigantic
close, but no
sometimes life sacrifices itself for some greater cause
”
-Can you specify ?
mother for her child
solider for his country
etc etc

“
sometimes life kills a whole bunch of other life (including family members)
”
-Maybe, whomever the killer was, didnt know the meaning of life ?
at the very least, it indicates their meaning was different from that of passing on their genes


“
the meaning of life is

Vedänta Sütra 1.1.12
om ananda-mayo 'bhyäsät

by nature we seek pleasure
”
-This just describes our tendencies.
it describes everyone's (nay, everythings) tendency, hence it is the meaning of life (the meaning of life is to seek pleasure - not even suicide can frustrate this goal :D )

lightgigantic
mother for her child
-You mean like that her child could live ~ sustain life ?
solider for his country
-Thanks to brainwashing, or that fellow countrymen could live ~ sustain life ?

at the very least, it indicates their meaning was different from that of passing on their genes
-Passing on genes isnt equal with sustain life, when I´m watering my plants in dont pass on any genes.

it describes everyone's (nay, everythings) tendency, hence it is the meaning of life (the meaning of life is to seek pleasure - not even suicide can frustrate this goal :D )
-Isnt sex quite a pleasure ~ sustain life, or eating & drinking ~ sustain life ;)

dixonmassey
Information is purely human concept, like good and evil, it "exists" only in human brains.
-Isnt everything that is, in ones brain ?

dixonmassey
What for? Life for the sake of life? That's what animals do, but I doubt that they ever thought about the sense of their existence.
-Is this were we go to the falling of man from Eden ? The apple ?

lightgigantic
mother for her child
-You mean like that her child could live ~ sustain life ?
the child's life is sustained - the mother's isn't


solider for his country
-Thanks to brainwashing, or that fellow countrymen could live ~ sustain life ?
once again, the solider doesn't but everyone else does

at the very least, it indicates their meaning was different from that of passing on their genes
-Passing on genes isnt equal with sustain life, when I´m watering my plants in dont pass on any genes.

how does watering your plants satisfy

Originally Posted by Oniw17
To copy your genes for the next generation.

:confused:

it describes everyone's (nay, everythings) tendency, hence it is the meaning of life (the meaning of life is to seek pleasure - not even suicide can frustrate this goal :D )
-Isnt sex quite a pleasure ~ sustain life, or eating & drinking ~ sustain life ;)

the meaning of life for someone who perishes for a higher ideal doesn't qualify

neither does the berserk family man with a gun

Sensual experience.

lightgigantic
how does watering your plants satisfy

Originally Posted by Oniw17
To copy your genes for the next generation.

-Not my words. ? .

lightgigantic
mother for her child
.....
the child's life is sustained - the mother's isn't

-Well, you tell me why she sacrified herself if it wasnt to sustain hes babys life and so on to make sure that life sustain ?

lightgigantic
how does watering your plants satisfy

Originally Posted by Oniw17
To copy your genes for the next generation.

-Not my words. ? .
you responded to my response to Oniw' s response

lightgigantic
mother for her child
.....
the child's life is sustained - the mother's isn't

-Well, you tell me why she sacrified herself if it wasnt to sustain hes babys life and so on to make sure that life sustain ?
because her pleasure is to put her child's needs above her own

Sensual experience.
any sort of sensual experience or do you think its specific?

lightgigantic
because her pleasure is to put her child's needs above her own.

-And how is this different from sustaining life ?

lightgigantic
because her pleasure is to put her child's needs above her own.

-And how is this different from sustaining life ?
the mothers life isn't sustained

well, everybody dies eventually, why not die for sake of life ?
I think we are going circles here :)

...presented in one simple sentence, what is the meaning of life ?
I will go first...



"We play the game to find out why we play the game." - quote I forgot who.

"We play the game to find out why we play the game." - quote I forgot who.

-Good one. A little like mine, to sustain life and the rest will follow :)

...it describes everyone's (nay, everythings) tendency, hence it is the meaning of life (the meaning of life is to seek pleasure - not even suicide can frustrate this goal :D )

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.

Lovers of pleasure are placed in opposition to lovers of God by the Holy Spirit, hence seeking pleasure for its own end cannot be demonstrating the meaning of life... in fact, being opposed to God it is the pursuit of death...paradoxically, the meaning of 'life' as we know it can only be found through death. The meaning of Life (as we do not know it) is also only found through death--death as we do not know it.

The meaning of life as we know it and as we do not is essentially summed up in two words: Love...Relationship. If one looks at the Law of God (briefly, the 10 Commandments) we see it is all about relationship--relationship with God and with one another...The New Testament reveals that this Law of Relationship is satisfactorily fulfilled only through one activity--Love. Love of God and Love of neighbor. When we are confronted by this Law, we are reminded of our failure to truly love as we should along with our inability to do so, and also of our broken relationships with God and each other.

To Love as required by God's Law is only possible through the Holy Spirit. In order for humanity to receive the Holy Spirit, Christ had to die. In order for an individual to receive the now available Holy Spirit, he too must 'die'...pick up his cross and follow/trust Christ as Savior... dying to himself...to his selfish pursuit of what is pleasurable to him... In that death of his he receives the ability to truly live--to love/relate to Him and one another as God requires...as we truly desire to live (but had been prevented from achieving on account of our pursuit of selfish pleasure) i.e. living in Loving relationship with/to Him and one another.

Cyperium
It is false because there would be no meaning to sustain life, if life in total had no meaning.

-The fact that life exist does imply that there is reason for it and I cant think another primary reason to live than keep it going and see where it will lead us ~ sustain life.
-If one argues that life has no meaning, well, thats a whole new ball game.

If I live my life so that my primary reason to live is sustain life and act upon my belief isnt it meaning of life to me ?What is your reason for sustaining life, since there is a reason for sustaining life, sustaining life would be of second importance (and thus not the *meaning of life* itself), not even the meaning of your life (it would thus be "to have a primary reason", if you take it by the argument you applied).

My take: Life is pointless/senseless. You are given life by a chance or whomever, you may just try to enjoy it (if you can), that's it.Nah, there must be a answer better than that, otherwise the question would be pointless.

Cyperium
What is your reason for sustaining life, since there is a reason for sustaining life, sustaining life would be of second importance (and thus not the *meaning of life* itself), not even the meaning of your life (it would thus be "to have a primary reason", if you take it by the argument you applied).
-If my reason to sustain life is the life itself, what then ? Meaning of life = life ? :)
-If meaning of life = life, then I must sustain life that there would be meaning = life :)
You busted me, meaning of life is to live :)

Without a God, there is no meaning.

The purpose of Life is what you make it, its different to every person

god does not give life meaning, you do

You cannot give meaning to that which does not have meaning. Unless there is a God, existence is meaningless. We are but a rock formation on the Planet Earth.

you can give meaning to anything, meaning is subjective

The meaning the thread is asking about is not subjective, but objective. Otherwise, your subjective "meaning to life" is of little interest to anybody else.

what do I care if the meaning that I apply to my life matters to anybody else, they dont have to live it

The point is that the thread isn't asking about your own personal subjective meaning to life. It's asking the broader question of what the objective meaning of life is.

what do I care if the meaning that I apply to my life matters to anybody else, they dont have to live it

Determinism or free will?

The meaning of life is to discover that you are limitless. In order to do so keep defining the difference between what you are and what you are not. If you never find an answer to the question of "who am I?" you will fail yourself.

That is the meaning of life.

I know, this is the usual question and been here before I quess, but..
...presented in one simple sentence, what is the meaning of life ?
I will go first...



I dont believe it ever says anything about an objective meaning..or maybe you misread it?

It didn't say anything about a subjective meaning of life. The thread by stating "the usual question" is pretty clearly referring to the old big question - the meaning of life. This is asking for an objective answer.

Nothing was said in either respect so a broad question gets a broad answer..period

any sort of sensual experience or do you think its specific?

Any and all.
There is nothing in life we experience, except through the senses.

objective/subjective, no matter, just give me something to pounder. :)

Any and all.
There is nothing in life we experience, except through the senses.

So you mean that we can also experience mind through these very senses you speak about, where mind has no dimension if it is to be limitless. The senses however are another story. Our mind is not our senses. Our nervous system is our senses. Our brain is our senses. Reality is a set that can have either limitation or limitlessness. Separation or non-separation.

But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these.

Lovers of pleasure are placed in opposition to lovers of God by the Holy Spirit, hence seeking pleasure for its own end cannot be demonstrating the meaning of life... in fact, being opposed to God it is the pursuit of death...paradoxically, the meaning of 'life' as we know it can only be found through death. The meaning of Life (as we do not know it) is also only found through death--death as we do not know it.

The meaning of life as we know it and as we do not is essentially summed up in two words: Love...Relationship. If one looks at the Law of God (briefly, the 10 Commandments) we see it is all about relationship--relationship with God and with one another...The New Testament reveals that this Law of Relationship is satisfactorily fulfilled only through one activity--Love. Love of God and Love of neighbor. When we are confronted by this Law, we are reminded of our failure to truly love as we should along with our inability to do so, and also of our broken relationships with God and each other.

To Love as required by God's Law is only possible through the Holy Spirit. In order for humanity to receive the Holy Spirit, Christ had to die. In order for an individual to receive the now available Holy Spirit, he too must 'die'...pick up his cross and follow/trust Christ as Savior... dying to himself...to his selfish pursuit of what is pleasurable to him... In that death of his he receives the ability to truly live--to love/relate to Him and one another as God requires...as we truly desire to live (but had been prevented from achieving on account of our pursuit of selfish pleasure) i.e. living in Loving relationship with/to Him and one another.

if a person doesn't find pleasure in loving god, will they continue with it?
If I serve you a nice big bowl of blotting paper, it doesn't matter what i tell you about it ("It will make you wealthy, it will make you strong, etc") you will give it up eventually

Any and all.
There is nothing in life we experience, except through the senses.

rationalists would disagree
for instance if I say the word "airplane" that means all sorts of air planes, from the one the wright brothers made, to the japanese dive bombers to the odd top secret ones - all of which I don't sensually perceive

if a person doesn't find pleasure in loving god, will they continue with it?
If I serve you a nice big bowl of blotting paper, it doesn't matter what i tell you about it ("It will make you wealthy, it will make you strong, etc") you will give it up eventually

There is a difference between salvation and pleasure is there not? I've heard of people finding salvation in God and of people finding pleasure using any of the 5 senses. You seem to be in some confusion. Perhaps it is because you have not discovered yourself and therefore God?

There is a difference between salvation and pleasure is there not? I've heard of people finding salvation in God and of people finding pleasure using any of the 5 senses. You seem to be in some confusion. Perhaps it is because you have not discovered yourself and therefore God?
if you don't find pleasure in the process of salvation, you can't commit to it (in other words pleasure is a function of the mind and not the 5 senses)

if you don't find pleasure in the process of salvation, you can't commit to it (in other words pleasure is a function of the mind and not the 5 senses)

Just as one might suspect, your concept of God that of your parent. You are either retarded, deluded, a dumbass, or you purposefully create confusion. Or, you are just plain ignorant with a child-like mind, yet you ramble on. Define pleasure.

Just as one might suspect, your concept of God that of your parent. You are either retarded, deluded, a dumbass, or you purposefully create confusion. Define pleasure.
:shrug:
.... anyway, at the risk of continuing a conversation with a person who is more interested in painting the walls with ad homs as opposed to discussing anything meaningful, pleasure means enjoyment - in other words if I say "I like to call people reatarded deluded dumb asses", it indicates I get some pleasure from it

pleas·ure /ˈplɛʒər/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[plezh-er] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation noun, verb, -ured, -ur·ing.
–noun
1. the state or feeling of being pleased.
2. enjoyment or satisfaction derived from what is to one's liking; gratification; delight.
3. worldly or frivolous enjoyment: the pursuit of pleasure.
4. recreation or amusement; diversion; enjoyment: Are you traveling on business or for pleasure?
5. sensual gratification.
6. a cause or source of enjoyment or delight: It was a pleasure to see you.
7. pleasurable quality: the pleasure of his company.
8. one's will, desire, or choice: to make known one's pleasure.
–verb (used with object)
9. to give pleasure to; gratify; please.
–verb (used without object)
10. to take pleasure; delight: I pleasure in your company.
11. to seek pleasure, as by taking a holiday.

Okay. So your pleasure is in your salvation. I understand, you use pleasure as a tool to acknowledge God so that God will protect you. In other words, you have realized you are vulnerable without God. Describe what it is about God that brings you pleasure and enjoyment. Because I can get pleasure and relief from scratching my ass.

pleas·ure /ˈplɛʒər/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[plezh-er] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation noun, verb, -ured, -ur·ing.
–noun
1. the state or feeling of being pleased.
2. enjoyment or satisfaction derived from what is to one's liking; gratification; delight.
3. worldly or frivolous enjoyment: the pursuit of pleasure.
4. recreation or amusement; diversion; enjoyment: Are you traveling on business or for pleasure?
5. sensual gratification.
6. a cause or source of enjoyment or delight: It was a pleasure to see you.
7. pleasurable quality: the pleasure of his company.
8. one's will, desire, or choice: to make known one's pleasure.
–verb (used with object)
9. to give pleasure to; gratify; please.
–verb (used without object)
10. to take pleasure; delight: I pleasure in your company.
11. to seek pleasure, as by taking a holiday.

Okay. So your pleasure is in your salvation. I understand, you use pleasure as a tool to acknowledge God so that God will protect you. In other words, you have realized you are vulnerable without God. Describe what it is about God that brings you pleasure and enjoyment. Because I can get that from scratching my ass.

You are a fake.

If you think that you apply some process to approach god that doesn't include pleasure you are the fake
the evidence is that you will be waylaid by finding pleasure in other things (eg lust, wrath, envy, etc)

I know, this is the usual question and been here before I quess, but..
...presented in one simple sentence, what is the meaning of life ?
I will go first...

To sustain life.

There is no meaning.

But life is dolce.

So you mean that we can also experience mind through these very senses you speak about, where mind has no dimension if it is to be limitless. The senses however are another story. Our mind is not our senses. Our nervous system is our senses. Our brain is our senses. Reality is a set that can have either limitation or limitlessness. Separation or non-separation.
Our mind is the device which processes those sensory stimuli.
Convince me.
Explain to me an experience you can have in your mind that is not simply a recollection or manipulation of information gathered through the senses.

rationalists would disagree
for instance if I say the word "airplane" that means all sorts of air planes, from the one the wright brothers made, to the japanese dive bombers to the odd top secret ones - all of which I don't sensually perceive
If it weren't for your senses, you would know othing about any airplanes, nor would you have seen any airplanes, you would not have heard or read the word and you could not have communicated to have any idea of what an airplane is.


Without the senses, you are nothing.

I don't know if we have eternal souls - hell, I don't even know if souls exist.
If we DO have eternal souls - if there is some non-corporeal existence, then I believe we elected to come here.
Why would we do that?
What does this existence offer a non-coproreal entity?
Just one thing - a physical existence.

We would have decided to come here for sensual experience.

If it weren't for your senses, you would know othing about any airplanes, nor would you have seen any airplanes, you would not have heard or read the word and you could not have communicated to have any idea of what an airplane is.


Without the senses, you are nothing.
to which the rationalists can counter, without your mind, you would be nothing - the word "airplane" is not merely something that is reflected by light into your eyes - it is a concept, hence I can apply the word "airplane" to many scenarios - in other words without the mind, sensual experience remains merely sensual experience devoid of rhyme and reason, which certainly leaves no room for such things as "airplanes"

Without sensory input, your mind would have nothing to process.

I have met many a rationalist who would say that the "mind" doesn't even exist.

Please tell me what you thingk a mind is.
Define it for me.

Without sensory input, your mind would have nothing to process.
without a mind, sensory input would be the same as a robot (IOW you could see the sunrise, but discerning any value in connection to it is not possible)

I have met many a rationalist who would say that the "mind" doesn't even exist.
then they must have some other mechanism in mind (excuse the pun) for distinguishing themselves from an empricist

Please tell me what you thingk a mind is.
Define it for me.
How about I pose a q instead (in relation to the thread OP)
Would a person who's 5 knowledge gaining senses are inoperable (like say a person dreaming) be unable to discern value?

Without sensory input, you would have nothing to dream about.

Define the mind.

Without sensory input, you would have nothing to dream about.
how do you know that?
We can enter into three states of consciousness (wakefulness, dreaming and deep dreamless sleep)
in two of them, the senses are not in operation, yet we can still understand "I was not dreaming" or "I was dreaming"

Define the mind.
there are two things
mind - (sense of like and dislike)
intelligence - (compiles varieties and discriminates)

how do you know that?[/url]
Because dreams are nothing more than memories of sensual experiences.
Not direct memories, such as going to the store on Tuesday, however.
For example, you can not dream about giraffes if you have never experienced a giraffe.
You can not dream about a non-existent animal with wings, if you have never experienced the concept of animals and wings.

[QUOTE=lightgigantic;1538490]We can enter into three states of consciousness (wakefulness, dreaming and deep dreamless sleep)
in two of them, the senses are not in operation, yet we can still understand "I was not dreaming" or "I was dreaming"
Actually, I think there are seven gross states and countless fine states - but that's another discussion.

there are two things
mind - (sense of like and dislike)
intelligence - (compiles varieties and discriminates)
Please elaborate.
Do you consider the mind to be the base of emotion?

one_raven

how do you know that?

Because dreams are nothing more than memories of sensual experiences.
Not direct memories, such as going to the store on Tuesday, however.
For example, you can not dream about giraffes if you have never experienced a giraffe.
You can not dream about a non-existent animal with wings, if you have never experienced the concept of animals and wings.[/QUOTE]
so you are arguing that there is nothing that we dream of that is outside of our sensual experience?

“
Originally Posted by lightgigantic
We can enter into three states of consciousness (wakefulness, dreaming and deep dreamless sleep)
in two of them, the senses are not in operation, yet we can still understand "I was not dreaming" or "I was dreaming"
”
Actually, I think there are seven gross states and countless fine states - but that's another discussion.
whatever, but still you find that the senses are not in operation when one is dreaming nor when one is dreamlessly sleeping, yet the "I" remains unaffected - it tends to suggest that with or without the five corporeal senses, the "I" goes on

“
Originally Posted by lightgigantic
there are two things
mind - (sense of like and dislike)
intelligence - (compiles varieties and discriminates)
”
Please elaborate.
Do you consider the mind to be the base of emotion?
yes - that's where the like and dislike comes in

Live has no meaning.

so you are arguing that there is nothing that we dream of that is outside of our sensual experience?
Yes.
The base or building blocks of all our dreams come about through sensual experience.

whatever, but still you find that the senses are not in operation when one is dreaming nor when one is dreamlessly sleeping, yet the "I" remains unaffected - it tends to suggest that with or without the five corporeal senses, the "I" goes on
It suggests that when the senses are turned off, our brain still has memory of them and use them as a reference point.
It suggests that without sensory experience, there is no experience at all, because even when they are turned off, we pretend they are on - we have no other reference point.

yes - that's where the like and dislike comes in
Can you support that assertion?

Cyperium
What is your reason for sustaining life, since there is a reason for sustaining life, sustaining life would be of second importance (and thus not the *meaning of life* itself), not even the meaning of your life (it would thus be "to have a primary reason", if you take it by the argument you applied).
-If my reason to sustain life is the life itself, what then ? Meaning of life = life ? :)
-If meaning of life = life, then I must sustain life that there would be meaning = life :)
You busted me, meaning of life is to live :)If you had no reason to live, would it then be meaningful to live?

However if you live, then you would have a chance to find reason and thus sustaining life can be a reason to find reasons so to say.

So it may be a reason for you.

Depending on the meaning of life in general, it may actually be the meaning of life. It depends on what you find and the reason we are here in the first place.

Meaning of life ?

The meaning of life is for every moment of your existence to "grow" and become a better person, no matter what this "better" means for you.

The meaning of life is for every moment of your existence to "grow" and become a better person, no matter what this "better" means for you.

Why?
To what end?

One_Raven
“


“
Originally Posted by lightgigantic
whatever, but still you find that the senses are not in operation when one is dreaming nor when one is dreamlessly sleeping, yet the "I" remains unaffected - it tends to suggest that with or without the five corporeal senses, the "I" goes on
”
It suggests that when the senses are turned off, our brain still has memory of them and use them as a reference point.
It suggests that without sensory experience, there is no experience at all, because even when they are turned off, we pretend they are on - we have no other reference point.
or alternatively it suggests that the cause of the senses lie in the mind

in other words due to developing a certain type of mind we have developed a certain set of senses
“
Originally Posted by lightgigantic
yes - that's where the like and dislike comes in
”
Can you support that assertion?
we have a sense of taste
termites have a sense of taste

we like the taste of pasta
we don't like the taste of dry bamboo

for termites it is the opposite because they have a different mind

To glorify God.

To glorify God.
atheists would disagree

However now that you mention it, the glorification process would still continue, even if the object of glorification wouldn't for some people

or alternatively it suggests that the cause of the senses lie in the mind

in other words due to developing a certain type of mind we have developed a certain set of senses
Could you offer any valid rasoning for this belief?
Why put the cart before the horse?

we have a sense of taste
termites have a sense of taste

we like the taste of pasta
we don't like the taste of dry bamboo

for termites it is the opposite because they have a different mind
Absurd.
This has nothing to do with "mind" at all, nevermind being proof that "like and dislike" are functions or properties of the mind.

Could you offer any valid rasoning for this belief?

the senses have the proclivity to enter into the mind (if you see something long enough you will like it- advertising works on this principle)

the mind has the proclivity to enter the senses (in the absence of sensual activities, we can get agitated by thinking about them)

Why put the cart before the horse?
since, while somewhat difficult it is not impossible, we can actually prevent the mind from entering the senses, it stands as the first cause - hence it appears that I have the cart and the horse in the right order


Absurd.
This has nothing to do with "mind" at all, nevermind being proof that "like and dislike" are functions or properties of the mind.
if its not due to issues of mind, why don't you have a bowl of dry bamboo for breakfast?

The meaning of life?

Whatever you want it to be.

- N

The meaning of life?

Whatever you want it to be.

- N

Neildo I got one silver bullet loaded gun here and its and my meaning of life is to deliver the silver bullet to the target. Neildo, the target.

"Whatever I want it to be, whatever you want it to be"...was written with chalk on the concrete road were the dead body lay.

Why?
To what end?

"Why?" Thats one of most grandest acts possible for a human to accomplish, to better himself with everyday and becoming a greater person. If you want to know why this is important I cannot tell you, you should understand it yourself.

"To what end?" Is there an end? I dont think that such a task has any meaningless end.

Neildo I got one silver bullet loaded gun here and its and my meaning of life is to deliver the silver bullet to the target. Neildo, the target.

"Whatever I want it to be, whatever you want it to be"...was written with chalk on the concrete road were the dead body lay.

So be it.

Your actions didn't stop me from living my life the way I wanted to live it.

Everyone expires. 'Twas just my time.

- N

there is only one thing you need to know on this "Earth School"the first cosmic law is "leave planet earth a better place than what you found it in,Or have the intentions!"

there is only one thing you need to know on this "Earth School"the first cosmic law is "leave planet earth a better place than what you found it in,Or have the intentions!"

A lot here would object to that.
Actually, some guy on here claims that it's ok to wipe out every last animal on earth just for the sheer fun of it as long as it doesn't have any negative effect on humans.

the meaning of life?
simple answer.... "to exist"

That's bizarre. That's EXACTLY what I thought in my head right before I read your post....!! :eek:

That's bizarre. That's EXACTLY what I thought in my head right before I read your post....!! :eek:

that's bizzarre as well. because what you just wrote was exactly what I thought in my head right before I read your post!!!!! :eek::eek:

Maybe there is some significance on that. Maybe that's the meaning of life......! :itold:

Nah.
That's whats crazy about life.

To live life. I suppose that would be the meaning of it no?

Seriously.
That's like the most straight foward answer.

ahh me tinks
to get things ready for the next generation
but i cant be quite certain bout that hehehehe

Sh - Boom (Life Could Be A Dream)
( Crew Cuts )

Hey nonny ding dong, alang alang alang
Boom ba-doh, ba-doo ba-doodle-ay

Oh, life could be a dream (sh-boom)
If I could take you up in paradise up above (sh-boom)
If you would tell me I'm the only one that you love
Life could be a dream, sweetheart
(Hello, hello again, sh-boom and hopin' we'll meet again)

Oh, life could be a dream (sh-boom)
If only all my precious plans would come true (sh-boom)
If you would let me spend my whole life lovin' you
Life could be a dream, sweetheart

Now every time I look at you
Something is on my mind (dat-dat-dat-dat-dat-duh)
If you do what I want you to
Baby, we'd be so fine!

Oh, life could be a dream (sh-boom)
If I could take you up in paradise up above (sh-boom)
If you would tell me I'm the only one that you love
Life could be a dream, sweetheart

Sh-boom sh-boom Ya-da-da Da-da-da Da-da-da Da
Sh-boom sh-boom Ya-da-da Da-da-da Da-da-da Da
Sh-boom sh-boom Ya-da-da Da-da-da Da-da-da Da, sh-boom!

Sh-boom sh-boom Ya-da-da Da-da-da Da-da-da Da
Sh-boom sh-boom Ya-da-da Da-da-da Da-da-da Da
Sh-boom sh-boom Ya-da-da Da-da-da Da-da-da Da, sh-boom!

Every time I look at you
Somethin' is on my mind
If you do what I want you to
Baby, we'd be so fine!

Life could be a dream
If I could take you up in paradise up above
If you would tell me I'm the only one that you love
Life could be a dream, sweetheart
(Hello hello again, sh-boom and hopin' we'll meet again) boom sh-boom

Hey nonny ding dong, alang alang alang (sh-boom)
Ba-doh, ba-doo ba-doodle-ay
Life could be a dream
Life could be a dream, sweetheart!

Life could be a dream
If only all my precious plans would come true
If you would let me spend my whole life loving you
Life could be a dream, sweetheart

(dee-oody-ooh, sh-boom, sh-boom)
(dee-oody-ooh, sh-boom, sh-boom)
(dee-oody-ooh, sh-boom, sh-boom)
Sweetheart!!

I know, this is the usual question and been here before I quess, but..
...presented in one simple sentence, what is the meaning of life ?
I will go first...

To sustain life.

The experience of being alive.

cosmic traveler thats a nice song did you make that up
well its nice anyway

cosmic traveler thats a nice song did you make that up
well its nice anyway



Not me, look at the top of the song and you will see the name, Life Is But A

Dream and The Crew Cuts were the group that wrote it. It is an old song

from the 50's or so.

The meaning of life?
It could just be.....no reason or meaning what so ever.However given the grandeur of the universe and its unknown mysteries I at this stage am 'sitting on the fence'. Why do I feel uplifted when listening to a beautiful guitar melody or when just 'being' in nature on a river in a kayak? Why do I feel loss and suffering? For what purpose?

Here is my thought on this question;

At the instant of the 'big bang' from nothingness 'the source' of light and energy manifested itself in physical form. For what purpose? Love is the highest quality that seems to arise in my mind.Could it be hate?

Thus as I write this thread, I and you, who reads it are conscious and thinking on the edge of the 'known'universe as it unravels. Probably more intelligent than if we were discussing this same question in the 'middle' ages ,when the Earth was deemed the centre of everthing and flat...

At death I and you die physically but does consciousness transcend our death? For what purpose? Maybe our offspring continue this refinment of the intellect through strong genetics.Is there a gene/s discovered that carries forth consciousness as opposed to intelligence?

'The source'(of consciousness?) in nothingness before everything seemed to have survived the biggest of all currently known atomic explosions(big bang),if it indeed exists.Possibly consciousness does then transcend physical death.For what purpose?

Hard work this philosophy stuff...If your confused ditto!

ohh ok is a really nice song eh cosmic

What is the meaning of life? Its the philosophical equivalent of the mathmatical pi.......

good luck

For all those who have postulated a "meaning of life", and especially to those who are so adamant that their's is the correct response .... one further question is all I ask... please provide the evidence.

Please provide the evidence not only that your answer is correct, but also that life has any meaning whatsoever beyond what we, as sentient individuals, create for ourselves.

Life cannot and does't have any meaning at all. Like an infinite space infinite life has no direction (which would lead to something preferable).

I know, this is the usual question and been here before I quess, but..
...presented in one simple sentence, what is the meaning of life ?
I will go first...

To sustain life.

To live, to marry a bitch, to die.

what is the purpose of life?

a common argument seems to go something like this:
human beings are just piles of atoms, therefore life is meaningless, therefore people choose their own arbitrary goals, therefore there is no right or wrong, therefore there is no morality.


first we have to distinguish between physical and spiritual life. the purpose of physical life is to reproduce.

i would suggest that the definition of (spiritual) life is 'moving toward our goals (which in the grand scheme of things are more or less arbitrary)'. the goal of moving toward our goals may sound like a tautology (and perhaps it is) but the point is that the mind can get so screwed up that it can actually set itself the goal of moving away from its own goals. of course, that insanity, being the opposite of life must lead, ultimately, to death.
a right goal therefore moves us toward our primary goals and a wrong goal moves us away from our primary goals.

curiousity, which is a primary goal/drive, amounts to little more than 'use your brain'. i suspect that all our primary goals are like that.
strangely, getting a job and paying our bills is not a primary goal. work seems to be an after-thought. i suppose that is why we find it so difficult.
the subgoals that we choose to pursue (and perhaps even the primary goals that nature has hardwired into our brains) are mostly arbitrary. however, they arent completely arbitrary since the goal of moving away from our goals would not be acceptable. therefore whether our goals are arbitrary or not (and therefore whether life is meaningless or not) depends very much on how you look at it.

regardless of how arbitrary our goals are, if there is more than one person present, then conflict is inevitable and some fair way of resolving those conflicts must be found (think golden rule).

Aren't the questions "What is the purpose of life ?" and "What are our goals in life ?" rather synonymous ?

Aren't the questions "What is the purpose of life ?" and "What are our goals in life ?" rather synonymous ?

no. that is where the confusion lies.

no. that is where the confusion lies.

Ok, "What is our most fundamental goal in life ?" then.

Ok, "What is our most fundamental goal in life ?" then.

it should be to move toward our primary goals.

primary goals/drives include things like curiousity, empathy. and love.

of course to do the things that we enjoy doing we have to do things we dont enjoy. like work.


the goal of moving toward our goals may sound like a tautology (and perhaps it is) but the point is that the mind can get so screwed up that it can actually set itself the goal of moving away from its own goals. of course, ultimately that can only lead to death.