The Purpose of Life

[Tubby]

What is the purpose of life? This is surely a question which everyone over the age of about 16 has asked themselves at one time or another.

Yet we devote so little time to answering it beyond skirting around the edges with philosophical, theological, and scientific theories and ideas.

Is it simply that the question is too big for us to tackle head-on? Or is it that we really don't want to know the answer, because the answer might be to unpleasant for us to bear?

Many species of birds toss their sick, weak, and disabled babies out of the nest in order to provide more resources to the stronger ones which have a better chance of survival and of ultimately passing on their genes. So, what was the 'purpose of life' for those weak birds who got tossed out of the nest (if anything)? And, by avoiding directly asking the question of ourselves, are we subconsciously avoiding facing a similarly unpleasant scenario - that, perhaps, the 'purpose' of life for us humans is really little more than surviving long enough - and being fit enough -  to pass our genes on to the next generation?

In a nutshell; could the purpose of life simply be to create more life?

And if so, what would that mean for people who remain childless?

Are Theological and Philosophical notions around 'going to a better place' - and human altruism as a be-all and end-all of itself - any more than human defence mechanisms against the stark reality of nature and the real purpose of life?


PS, Admin; Can you pls remove that 'troll' picture? I learnt my lesson, and I'm going to try hard not to troll this time. Thx.

[fdrjk]

It's one of life's great mysteries, isn't it? Why are we here? I mean, are we the product of some...cosmic coincidence? Or is there really a God, watching everything, you know, with a plan for us and stuff. I don't know man, but it keeps me up at night.

[adz1La]

sure that isn't quake withdrawals fader?

[fdrjk]

 

[[BTF]Sigma]

42

[Whirlingdervish]

42

aaaand sigma wins.

[haunted]

this thread is a joke

[|iR|Focalor]

There is no purpose to life. That is the unpleasant truth that even you can't cope with.

However, it's become obvious that the purpose of your life on this messageboard is to be an annoying little prick and a troll.

[fdrjk]

42

[QwazyWabbit]

42

[fdrjk]

42

[QwazyWabbit]

42

[fdrjk]

42

[quadz]

What is the purpose of life? This is surely a question which everyone over the age of about 16 has asked themselves at one time or another.

Yet we devote so little time to answering it beyond skirting around the edges with philosophical, theological, and scientific theories and ideas.

Out of curiosity, if you remove philosophy, theology, and science from a discussion of what is traditionally a philosophical/theological question, what have you got left? (*)

In other words, what non-scientific, non-theological, and non-philosophical avenue(s) of inquiry do you suppose will shed new light on this topic?




(*) Douglas Adams notwithstanding.

[Laurelin]

the spontaneous gut-feeling way!

What about you start tubby