Poll on the meaning of life
       |           

Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
Did you miss your activation email?
March 28, 2024, 08:16:05 AM
News: Election Simulator 2.0 Released. Senate/Gubernatorial maps, proportional electoral votes, and more - Read more

  Talk Elections
  General Discussion
  Religion & Philosophy (Moderator: World politics is up Schmitt creek)
  Poll on the meaning of life
« previous next »
Pages: [1] 2
Poll
Question: What is the meaning of life?
#1
Learning more
 
#2
Being good
 
#3
Being self sufficient
 
#4
Having pleasure now
 
#5
Freeing yourself from pain
 
#6
Being logical and avoid suffering
 
#7
Defending individual liberty
 
#8
Do your duty
 
#9
Do anything, life doesn't have a meaning
 
#10
Bring the most good to the most people
 
#11
Obey God
 
#12
Make positive decisions
 
#13
Who cares? Just live
 
#14
Balance self interest and the common good
 
#15
Life doesn't come with a meaning, you must give it meaning
 
#16
Care for nature
 
#17
Love people impartially
 
#18
Live ordinarily
 
#19
Have a practical role
 
Show Pie Chart
Partisan results

Total Voters: 72

Author Topic: Poll on the meaning of life  (Read 4718 times)
bagelman
Junior Chimp
*****
Posts: 8,602
United States


Political Matrix
E: -4.90, S: -4.17

P P P
Show only this user's posts in this thread
« on: January 28, 2017, 02:19:58 PM »

Which of these philosophical answers to the meaning of life is closest to your interpretation?
Logged
Antonio the Sixth
Antonio V
Atlas Institution
*****
Posts: 57,960
United States


Political Matrix
E: -7.87, S: -3.83

P P
Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #1 on: January 28, 2017, 02:29:58 PM »

I voted "being good", but I prefer to approach it in terms of purpose rather than meaning. I believe that humanity collectively must strive to become better, and that each of us ought to contribute to that, but I'm not sure this answers the question about meaning.

I'm tempted to go the Wittgenstein road and say that the question itself does not truly mean anything, but I haven't actually given it enough thought to say that for sure.
Logged
afleitch
Moderators
Atlas Star
*****
Posts: 29,833


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #2 on: January 28, 2017, 02:53:30 PM »

We are here because we are here. You don't 'have life' as such. You do life. You are life. When your brain can no longer sustain the electrochemical patterns that make up your consciousness, the 'you' part dies.

It's the bit in the middle of an almost endless sea of nothingness. Like every other collection of atoms, you are subject to decay and the lowest energy state. We just happen to be conscious and aware. and we ponder it all. Enjoy it.


Logged
The world will shine with light in our nightmare
Just Passion Through
Atlas Legend
*****
Posts: 45,174
Norway


Political Matrix
E: -6.32, S: -7.48

P P P

Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #3 on: January 28, 2017, 07:54:02 PM »
« Edited: January 28, 2017, 08:22:09 PM by Senator Scott »

I don't know.  It's not avoiding suffering, because otherwise we wouldn't grow or learn.  Being logical?  Nobody's ever completely rational.  Obeying God?  Sure, but the word "obey" just misses the point in most contexts.  I'd say "freeing yourself from pain" could work, because I believe ideally humans should engage more in meditation and prayer and 'finding ourselves' than we actually do, but there's definitely more to it than that.  I voted "Live ordinarily," because I do believe that our materialistic obsessions are eating away at us whether we want to acknowledge it or not, and that a simple life is the best one you can have.
Logged
TJ in Oregon
TJ in Cleve
Junior Chimp
*****
Posts: 8,952
United States


Political Matrix
E: 0.13, S: 6.96

Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #4 on: January 28, 2017, 08:01:28 PM »
« Edited: January 28, 2017, 09:17:44 PM by Justice TJ »

Other: To know, love, and serve the Lord in this life and to spend eternity with him in the next.

Also: this is like the seventh time I've had this topic come up this week. I guess it's one of those weeks that makes people search for meaning Tongue
Logged
DemPGH
YaBB God
*****
Posts: 4,755
United States


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #5 on: January 28, 2017, 08:03:48 PM »

If forced to pick only one, then it's the first. To improve ourselves through knowledge/discovery is our greatest and most distinct asset. I say we've evolved to that point.
Logged
Blue3
Starwatcher
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 12,035
United States


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #6 on: January 28, 2017, 08:15:40 PM »

Most of these options boil down to "Love"
Logged
Figueira
84285
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 12,175


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #7 on: January 29, 2017, 07:15:20 PM »

Voted "Being good" although obviously what that entails is somewhat up for debate.
Logged
FEMA Camp Administrator
Cathcon
Atlas Star
*****
Posts: 27,284
United States


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #8 on: January 29, 2017, 08:11:43 PM »

Giving life meaning without it having been designated one from Above is a modern invention. Correct answer is to despair.
Logged
justfollowingtheelections
unempprof
YaBB God
*****
Posts: 3,766


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #9 on: January 30, 2017, 03:43:26 AM »

The meaning of life is to search for a meaning to life.  This is my interpretation of what Albert Camus' wrote on the issue.
Logged
Lexii, harbinger of chaos and sexual anarchy
Alex
Junior Chimp
*****
Posts: 5,151
Argentina


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #10 on: January 30, 2017, 01:30:07 PM »

There's no "meaning of life" other than whatever one chooses, or others choose for them
Logged
justfollowingtheelections
unempprof
YaBB God
*****
Posts: 3,766


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #11 on: January 30, 2017, 02:16:12 PM »

I chose this option because it's the closest one to what I wrote above:
Quote
You must be logged in to read this quote.
Logged
Enduro
Junior Chimp
*****
Posts: 5,073


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #12 on: January 30, 2017, 03:28:09 PM »

Why does life have to have one meaning?
Logged
Leinad
Junior Chimp
*****
Posts: 5,049
United States


Political Matrix
E: -7.03, S: -7.91

Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #13 on: February 05, 2017, 03:52:05 AM »

I think there's no inherent meaning to life, in which case searching for one isn't fruitful, unless of course you simply enjoy that action. I think we just exist, and should try to make the best of that situation.
Logged
Donerail
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 15,345
Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #14 on: February 05, 2017, 02:06:09 PM »

Option #10 is closest to my personal views.
Logged
JA
Jacobin American
Junior Chimp
*****
Posts: 6,956
United States


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #15 on: February 09, 2017, 01:51:57 PM »

There's no inherent meaning to life because there's nothing that pre-exists your individual life to give it some prescribed meaning. Each of us, as individuals, must decide for ourselves what our life means and what purpose we should give it. The truth, as far as I can discern, is simply that we, as humans, crave meaning and purpose as a way to reconcile the conflicting duality of our identity: our symbolic self and our material self. Our material self decays and dies; turning into food for maggots. How can we, being constantly conscious of our own mortality, accept that we're tied to something that'll simply die one day and everything about ourselves, aside from what we've made and the memories we leave for others, will disappear forever? Thus, we try to invent some objective meaning to life or some prescribed purpose, yet, in reality, none of that exists.

So the only solution is to create your own sense of meaning or purpose in life, one that you invent for yourself that gives you a reason to wake up and embrace life every day. Or, you can simply embrace that life has no meaning and live with the absurdity of a meaningless world with a mind that wants to persevere past death.
Logged
Bismarck
Chancellor
Sr. Member
****
Posts: 3,342


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #16 on: April 22, 2017, 12:59:26 AM »

I voted be logical and avoid suffering. Life is meaningless on any sort of cosmic level, but once you accept that you can make of it what you want.
Logged
Meclazine for Israel
Meclazine
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 13,659
Australia


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #17 on: April 22, 2017, 08:27:22 AM »

There's no inherent meaning to life because there's nothing that pre-exists your individual life to give it some prescribed meaning. Each of us, as individuals, must decide for ourselves what our life means and what purpose we should give it. The truth, as far as I can discern, is simply that we, as humans, crave meaning and purpose as a way to reconcile the conflicting duality of our identity: our symbolic self and our material self. Our material self decays and dies; turning into food for maggots. How can we, being constantly conscious of our own mortality, accept that we're tied to something that'll simply die one day and everything about ourselves, aside from what we've made and the memories we leave for others, will disappear forever? Thus, we try to invent some objective meaning to life or some prescribed purpose, yet, in reality, none of that exists.

I am quite disturbed by this seemingly correct assessment of our existence in the Universe.
Logged
The Puppeteer
Rookie
**
Posts: 50
United States


Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #18 on: April 06, 2021, 10:11:03 PM »

Our lives have no meaning other than what we give it. Life only exists because it has no other real purpose than to exist.
Logged
satsuma
Jr. Member
***
Posts: 300
United States


Political Matrix
E: -0.90, S: -2.61

Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #19 on: April 12, 2021, 08:01:07 PM »

I'm the first to pick "Balance self interest and the common good?" Thought about the most popular line "Life doesn't come with a meaning, you must give it meaning" but on further consideration I kinda take the meaninglessness as a given. Tending to our circles of concern is a more important point. We take care of ourselves, then those closest to us, so on and so forth towards benefiting humanity generally, hopefully.
Logged
Dr. MB
MB
Atlas Politician
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 15,813
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya



Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #20 on: April 13, 2021, 01:40:51 AM »

Where's "to reproduce and ensure the continuation of the species"?
Logged
Torie
Moderators
Atlas Legend
*****
Posts: 46,057
Ukraine


Political Matrix
E: -3.48, S: -4.70

Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #21 on: April 21, 2021, 02:41:03 PM »

It having a purpose that makes a positive difference. I didn't see that option on the list, so I thought I would contribute that. At this stage of my life, that is my lodestar.
Logged
🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸
shua
Atlas Star
*****
Posts: 25,663
Nepal


Political Matrix
E: 1.29, S: -0.70

WWW Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #22 on: May 03, 2021, 10:51:19 PM »

manifest goodness in the world in accordance with transcendent reality ("Obey God")
Logged
John Dule
Atlas Icon
*****
Posts: 18,319
United States


Political Matrix
E: 6.57, S: -7.50

P P P
Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #23 on: May 04, 2021, 12:39:07 AM »

manifest goodness in the world in accordance with transcendent reality ("Obey God")

What if God asked you to manifest badness
Logged
🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸
shua
Atlas Star
*****
Posts: 25,663
Nepal


Political Matrix
E: 1.29, S: -0.70

WWW Show only this user's posts in this thread
« Reply #24 on: May 04, 2021, 07:40:38 PM »

manifest goodness in the world in accordance with transcendent reality ("Obey God")

What if God asked you to manifest badness


Logged
Pages: [1] 2  
« previous next »
Jump to:  


Login with username, password and session length

Terms of Service - DMCA Agent and Policy - Privacy Policy and Cookies

Powered by SMF 1.1.21 | SMF © 2015, Simple Machines

Page created in 0.052 seconds with 14 queries.