I'm frequently seeing this presumption everywhere that there is an overarching purpose to life, and it often comes in a question form from theists directed at atheists. They'll ask something like "What's the purpose of life without god?", which I find incredibly naive and condescending. Firstly, I'm not convinced that god exists, so I don't see how it (god) could possibly give life purpose. I think that by 'purpose' they must mean 'subservience to an invented deity with the childish hope of an afterlife'.
On a different note, I think it is possible to build a fairly strong case against a blanket purpose for life. When one considers the fact of evolution, it is quite obvious that life as we know it, is a mere product of chance and accident, we were formed by an unguided process. How illogical then is it to try and impose a generic purpose to all of life? Let's take another product of chance, an accident of the universe, an asteroid, meteorite, comet etc. Is there a transcendent purpose for their existence? I think not, so likewise it is ignorant to suggest that there is a purpose to be discovered for life.
Now before you make any assumptions, I'm not a pessimistic nihilist. We have brains, and from our direct observations, our race is the highest form of intelligence in this region of the universe, so why should we require an unseen higher power to designate us a purpose in life? From my perspective, it makes much more sense to create purpose for ourselves, rather than to wait for purpose to come to us. If you look at all of the great figures in history, every single one of them made a conscious effort to achieve their goals, some may have just been in the right place at the right time, but the majority of them didn't sit there waiting for their god to assign them their lot. The only purpose in your life is the one you create for yourself, you're the only one that can be held responsible for your successes.
So there, I think that just about sums up what I think about the purpose of life.
Many things and ideas we talk about nowadays would be different if religion hadn't made it as long as it has. The debate about purpose has completely missed the point, as you stated. Perhaps even the origins of the word purpose have a religious context in early Latin pro- "forth". As in god put forth life. As far as I am concerned, the purpose of humanity as defined from a humanistic stance, is to promote the flourishing of the human race. And then of course mind mother earth.
ReplyDeleteThis works both ways... "What is the purpose for god creating the earth, everything on it and the entire universe (even though we will never actually access most of it), and putting us on it for 3/4 of a century? Is his entire creation just the waiting room before the main event? Where is the purpose in that, heaven isn't a theme park, you don't need to wait for other people to leave before you can get in."
ReplyDeleteThat is a ridiculous metaphor MT. You're stupid. It seems for some people, KJ, that God is all they have to believe in and all the have from keeping them lonely. Each to his own I say. PRAISE JESUS OUR LORD AND SAVIOUR
ReplyDeleteLol ^
ReplyDeleteThe question "what is the purpose of life" begs the question - is there a purpose to life, and if there is, how do we know? What decides what purpose is and why does that thing determine it? I posit that a god does not solve the problem of purpose. A god could make you from nothing and tell you that you are 'supposed' to do this thing because it is your purpose.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a matter of perspective. Even if a god exists, we may have different ideas of purpose. This god may want me to attempt to convert as many people as possible to his religion whereas I may believe my purpose is to lead the next technological breakthrough. Which is the 'correct' purpose? Does such a question even make sense? Purpose is with respect to a perceived use and two perceived uses result in two purposes.
TL;DR: Purpose is a matter of perspective. What matters is ultimately how you see yourself and your goals.
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ReplyDeleteDennis (posting as anonymous) said:
ReplyDelete"shred - you die today....
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION!
the WORLD TRADE CENTER PROPHECY - THE DANCE OF DEATH"
I'm fairly certain I'll be alive tomorrow to laugh at your threats and pity your mental deterioration..
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ReplyDeleteyou are going to beg for death, fucker....
ReplyDeleteDM Said: "we are talking about the DEATH OF YOUR SOUL..."
ReplyDeleteSouls don't exist you fruitloop.
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ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteDM said...
ReplyDelete"you have absolutely no choice.... Repent and turn to God or you will BEG FOR YOUR SELF-DESTRUCTION!"
I do have a choice. I will not repent to your non-existent god, and I'm certainly not going to be begging for my own self-destruction. Does your doctor know that you stopped taking your pills?