Purpose: Is is just to end?

[dotcoma]

I have thought about our purpose for a while now-it bothers me very much.

What scares me even more about the subject is the way most people seem to have some sort of instinctive defense mechanism that seems to force them to shrug off the very notion of discussing our purpose.

It seems after thing about purpose for a little while now that there is none. It seems our only purpose is to end after we create another younger human. The other purposes (love, missions, etc) seem all to be opiates for our active minds.

What do you think?

[Scribbler1]

We don't have a purpose; not even to reproduce. It's just something we instinctually do. If you don't have religion there is only ONE purpose, and that's to do whatever we want to do.
I think this is why we created religion in the first place, to explain why we are here to begin with. But to be here only to reproduce is meaningless as well. Once you get past the "we need to make babies" part, you are left with the "why DO we have babies" and there is no good answer to that either. Our "purpose" is to procreate, our children's purpose is ALSO to reproduce, and THEIR children etc.. But what is left once the offspring are created?
It's a tough concept to wrap one's brain around, but I think we are here because we just ARE. Whatever brought us into being happened a LONG time ago and we never wrote it down at the time. Since then, however it's been us breeding and killing off the progeny of others for a very long time. The rest is just window dressing.
Deal with it. Act according to your conscience and your best interests and enjoy the time you have as best you can. Don't sweat the "purpose" stuff. :)

[Starboy]

Quote by: dotcoma I have thought about our purpose for a while now-it bothers me very much. What scares me even more about the subject is the way most people seem to have some sort of instinctive defense mechanism that seems to force them to shrug off the very notion of discussing our purpose. It seems after thing about purpose for a little while now that there is none. It seems our only purpose is to end after we create another younger human. The other purposes (love, missions, etc) seem all to be opiates for our active minds. What do you think?

You do not have to have kids if you don't want to. Maybe you are expecting someone to come along and tell you what you should do? What your purpose is. If so, then don't worry. There are plenty of people that will be more than happy to do so. Or you could just follow your bliss. Or you could decide to try to author your own life. To be the source of your own purpose, what ever that may be.

Starboy

[dotcoma]

Scribler, yes I think I am mixing up my purpose with the purpose of other members of people. I think once you have an inkling that there is no purpose you relieve yourself from that drive that forces you to give in and make children...perhaps. It is just very creepy. We seem to be driven to create more people who do nothing but the same...

I also agree with you in regards to religion. I would take it a step further. You said that our purpose is to "do anything". Perhaps this is why religion was established. It prevents people from doing just anything. It gives them someone's idea of purpose and order.

Quote by: Scribbler1 It's a tough concept to wrap one's brain around, but I think we are here because we just ARE. Whatever brought us into being happened a LONG time ago and we never wrote it down at the time. Since then, however it's been us breeding and killing off the progeny of others for a very long time. The rest is just window dressing.

Yes, I agree. Do you also notice that defense mechanism I was talking about? It is very disturbing to see how most people react to even bringing up such conversation.

Deal with it. Act according to your conscience and your best interests and enjoy the time you have as best you can. Don't sweat the "purpose" stuff. :)

But why bother? I guess it is insanity to even go further with this. I mean you could say since there is no purpose that there is no reason to follow one's conscience, to care about humanity, etc.

Quote by: Starboy You do not have to have kids if you don't want to. Maybe you are expecting someone to come along and tell you what you should do? What your purpose is. If so, then don't worry. There are plenty of people that will be more than happy to do so. Or you could just follow your bliss. Or you could decide to try to author your own life. To be the source of your own purpose, what ever that may be.

I do not think people can define purpose. I think they can make something up that helps them remain stable while they still have a pulse, but it is not purpose.

[Starboy]

Quote by: dotcoma I do not think people can define purpose. I think they can make something up that helps them remain stable while they still have a pulse, but it is not purpose.

I disagree. Purpose is a very overrated concept. You and I may have a purpose for living that we are unawares of and if we knew it, it would not make us feel any better or worse about our lives. The thing that people do not realize is that there are many that already have a purpose for you. The credit card companies see your purpose as a borrower. Your parents may see your purpose as living the life they couldn't have. Your boss sees your purpose to be whatever the company has in mind. Make the circle as big as you like. There is no reason to think that if your life did have a purpose for some other entity that you would like that purpose one bit.

So I say, screw it. Make your own purpose. This is the purpose you will find the most satisfying because after all it is your purpose.

The funny thing about that. Once you do decide to have your own purpose, then other people have a purpose set by you.

Starboy

[Scribbler1]

Quote by: dotcoma Yes, I agree. Do you also notice that defense mechanism I was talking about? It is very disturbing to see how most people react to even bringing up such conversation.

I think people get defensive when you bring this stuff up because unless you agree completely with THEIR definition of "purpose" it shakes the foundations of their world and they really don't like things like that brought into question. Most people have a need to rely on a comfortable definition of their lives and don't need anyone coming along shaking their trees.

But why bother? I guess it is insanity to even go further with this. I mean you could say since there is no purpose that there is no reason to follow one's conscience, to care about humanity, etc.

You could say that, but I wouldn't. A lack of some unseen, all-important "reason for being" does NOT imply an unfulfilled, uncontrolled and/or miserable life. To "follow one's conscience, to care about humanity, etc" IS your purpose! The big thing is you have set these parameters for yourself instead of being ordered to by others. If you're looking for some all-purpose purpose that applies to everyone, I'm afraid your out of luck. But that's not a bad thing.
ALL of your boundaries are set by you. Any rules, reasons or explanations offered by others are entirely yours to accept or reject. You adopt the conditions of your life so as to maximize the fulfillment and contentment of that life.
I think that is your "purpose". Do you consider yourself a decent person? Can YOU live with you? Are you relatively content with yourself? If yes, then there you go. To look further than yourself is just wasting your time and concerning yourself needlessly.
No purpose in that, is there?

[bishop]

you can only know whether/not there's a real purpose to living until you die. so, you should simply live your life as good as you can while you're alive. if not for a concern about what may lay after you die, then just to be a decent person - you should try to live your life being good to others while being good to yourself at the same time.

[MerlinsByte]

by dotcoma......... It seems our only purpose is to end after we create another younger human. The other purposes (love, missions, etc) seem all to be opiates for our active minds. What do you think?

By Merlin...... I think the primary reason we are here so the universe(s) can exist. (talk about self centered)! This would include all self aware beings, if there are others (and I suspect there are).

mb

[castille]

Why SHOULD we have a purpose?

[Suburbanite]

Quote by: dotcoma I have thought about our purpose for a while now-it bothers me very much. What scares me even more about the subject is the way most people seem to have some sort of instinctive defense mechanism that seems to force them to shrug off the very notion of discussing our purpose. It seems after thing about purpose for a little while now that there is none. It seems our only purpose is to end after we create another younger human. The other purposes (love, missions, etc) seem all to be opiates for our active minds. What do you think?

I think you're wrong. Populating is no more or less a purpose for life than anything else.

[dotcoma]

Quote by: castille Why SHOULD we have a purpose?

Castille,

I am not saying that we "should" have a purpose. All I am talking about is the way it seems things such as religion, nation-states, etc create this "purpose", and I was wondering if anyone thought there was any universal purpose other than giving birth, and surviving until we die naturally

Quote by: Suburbanite I think you're wrong. Populating is no more or less a purpose for life than anything else.

Suburbanite,

as a moderator I would expect more from you. Don't just tell me I am wrong, and not provide any argument. You have no right to do so until you tell me the other important factors involved in life. You say there are others but you do not even bother to describe what you think are some.

[wuurthy]

everyone has their own purpose
many come to earth to be with souls they like
family, friends, lovers
life is actually a choice
religions are largely people trying to explain such
partly correct, partly in error
purpose can change every time you make a decision
or not make a decision
there is no giant 'plan'
there is 'evolution'
which is a misnomer to me as it's defined as progress usually
there are many many many extra terrestrial 'species'
haven't you seen any ufo films?
the us has alien craft at nellis air force base
i assume other countries may too
but i do not know

[Dadoo]

I feel that purpose is hindsight, and that-which-is-done becomes it's own purpose after the action resolves.
As far as the purpose of our race or of Life itself: To Live.
Living is it's own means and ends, no further complications need be applied.

[Scribbler1]

I don't think you can call that-which-is-done a real purpose. More of a rationalization, IMO. I believe a purpose is self created and concerns ONLY the future. Whether near or far term future, a purpose can only concern the now or the future. The past can only reflect the results of that purpose.

(how's THAT for abstract?)

[jeffl]

Quote by: Scribbler1 The past can only reflect the results of that purpose.

As judged by the reality of the situation. i mean, your understanding and your desire compell an intent which drives a purpose; maybe? A lack of understanding means your purpose is not your own. An inability to control your desire means your purpose is not your own. And, a misdirected intent implies same.

[Scribbler1]

Quote by: jeffl As judged by the reality of the situation. i mean, your understanding and your desire compell an intent which drives a purpose; maybe? A lack of understanding means your purpose is not your own. An inability to control your desire means your purpose is not your own. And, a misdirected intent implies same.

I disagree and I don't believe it is that complicated. You define purpose and whatever you define it as has nothing to do with understanding. I believe your purpose not being your own is impossible. Even if you consciously adopted someone else's purpose (assuming you could) it is still yours because you have decided to adopt it.
And intent is only a desire and is not misdirected. Society can define whether your intent is proper or not but you yourself would never consciously desire (have intent) something and at the same time realize it is misdirected. If it were misdirected you wouldn't want to do it.

[jeffl]

Quote by: Scribbler1 I believe your purpose not being your own is impossible.

This makes justice easy; we are each responsible for our own actions. A soldier in an unjust war is guilty of murder.? I think you have to consider environment, opportunity, and cultural perspective. Those people in a position to see and act must do so; for the sake of purpose and meaning, and agape.

Even if you consciously adopted someone else's purpose (assuming you could) it is still yours because you have decided to adopt it.

What if you are misled by propaganda disguised as news? Not that it would ever happen

And intent is only a desire and is not misdirected. Society can define whether your intent is proper or not but you yourself would never consciously desire (have intent) something and at the same time realize it is misdirected. If it were misdirected you wouldn't want to do it.

Specifically, i'm thinking of an instance where someone might be misinformed about who might be the guilty party in the perpetration of some offense against one's loved ones.

[Suburbanite]

Quote by: dotcoma Suburbanite, as a moderator I would expect more from you. Don't just tell me I am wrong, and not provide any argument. You have no right to do so until you tell me the other important factors involved in life. You say there are others but you do not even bother to describe what you think are some.

There are no important factor involved in life, the importance is only what you give it, and you're giving one thing importance when it is just as unimportant as anything else. And don't pull that moderator shit on me, everyone around here knows I'm a shitty moderator.

[Mr.Vicchio]

http://www.near-death.com/

Read these. Some are obviously, IMHO fake as hel, but many... you just got to wonder.

The main thing these people all seem to have in common, message wise, is we are here to learn, and grow, and to love.

[rcne]

The purpose of a life well lived can only be judged by the individual on their last day. On that day nothing else matters but the journey to that point in time. At that time you can judge if the life you lived was well lived. The only one to judge the worth of your life is you.

May your path not always be the path of least resistance.

Hey, this is the Philosophy & Religion thread isn't it.