Meaning of life = ?

[JoshB]

We live for a purpose. Whether the universe is created by God or scientific phenomenon, whether Jesus is real or not, whether evolution is fact or not, we live for a purpose.

Think about this idea. There is nothing that we do by our own conscious that has no purpose. There is nothing that happens to us that has no purpose. No intent. No meaning.

The only way to stop purpose is to quit, and to cease all participation in life and existence, in the ultimate sense, quit. So what are we when we "quit"? We are non-existent.

From that we arrive at this statement: If we had no purpose, we would not exist.

Therefore, if we have purpose (a reason to exist), we exist. Think about it. Its true.

So heres my philosophy on the meaning of life: We cannot live without a purpose. Thus, the meaning of life has to be to have purpose. Something to continue existing for.

Now, I can see what points will bring arguments. But I want you lions to tear my philosophy to pieces until we come to an answer.

[JoshB]

I'd have thought that consciousness and life we two pretty separate things.

They are. But something cant live without some form of conscious or sub-conscious.

I'd have thought that they just do them without any consciousness at all.

Its a biological imperative to do it. Just as it is a biological imperative for us to breathe. We do not do those consciously, but rather sub-consciously.

On defining consciousness: What a great philosophical question, eh?

All consciousness centers around awareness. Thus awareness is inherent in consciousness. If something is aware, it has a conscious. This is why I theorize conscious to be only in sentient beings (however complex or basic they are). And since there aren't any known non-biological sentient being, I can logically assume that only biological things can a some sort of conscious.

And purpose is a result of consciousness, so therefore, every conscious thing has a purpose. Thus, the meaning of life is purpose/to have purpose.

[LiamOS]

Its a biological imperative to do it. Just as it is a biological imperative for us to breathe. We do not do those consciously, but rather sub-consciously.

On defining consciousness: What a great philosophical question, eh?

All consciousness centers around awareness. Thus awareness is inherent in consciousness. If something is aware, it has a conscious. This is why I theorize conscious to be only in sentient beings (however complex or basic they are). And since there aren't any known non-biological sentient being, I can logically assume that only biological things can a some sort of conscious.

And purpose is a result of consciousness, so therefore, every conscious thing has a purpose. Thus, the meaning of life is purpose/to have purpose.

This entirely depends on at what point, it is called life. I'm not biochemist though, so this isn't my discussion any more.

[JoshB]

So have we arrived at any conclusion?

I say that we have found that consciousness creates purpose. Only living things have a conscious. Thus, life must have purpose: to have purpose.

Thus, the meaning of life is to have purpose.

[LiamOS]

So have we arrived at any conclusion?

Not really.

I say that we have found that consciousness creates purpose. Only living things have a conscious. Thus, life must have purpose: to have purpose.

I don't know... I wouldn't agree with that.

Thus, the meaning of life is to have purpose.

And if purpose is had through being alive, is it not inane to an extent?

[JoshB]

So have we arrived at any conclusion?

Not really.

We do agree that you are pedantic. Its not really related to what we are debating, but none the less, we did agree on this.

I say that we have found that consciousness creates purpose. Only living things have a conscious. Thus, life must have purpose: to have purpose.

I don't know... I wouldn't agree with that.[/quote]

What objections do you still have?

Thus, the meaning of life is to have purpose.

And if purpose is had through being alive, is it not inane to an extent?

Its merely an idea in all honesty. There is no objective purpose. To have purpose is not nessecarily mandatory for life, but all living things do have purpose, and must have purpose to continue existing.

[LiamOS]

There is no objective purpose.

There's my problem.
Although I know you're talking subjectively, I prefer not to talk subjectively at all, as it's... well, subjective.

[JoshB]

Well we seem to be at an impass. Unless you would like to offer up something debatable.

[LiamOS]

I'd much rather see what other people have to offer on the matter, but it's always the most interesting threads that get no visitors.

[Cathar1950]

So have we arrived at any conclusion?

I say that we have found that consciousness creates purpose. Only living things have a conscious. Thus, life must have purpose: to have purpose.

Thus, the meaning of life is to have purpose.

I would think meaning in this case is the same thing as purpose, you are being redundant, or is it circular?

One of the things life does is process information about their environment to respond.

[JoshB]

I would think meaning in this case is the same thing as purpose, you are being redundant, or is it circular?

What do you mean by circular?

One of the things life does is process information about their environment to respond.

Yes....indeed...?