Is there a point to life?

[GracchusBabeuf]

.

[RainbowLeftist]

I don't think so. Just live life.

[ev]

It depends where you stand. If you think that we can achieve better social organization that is more effective, and egalitarian - thus allowing us to develop technologically unhindered by capitalist business interests, then yes, there is a point to life.

The point to ones life is the further progress of the human race. You see, how I see it we each have a choice between what is right and what is easy. What is right is fighting to change the current system to one that increases the chances of us surviving e.i anarchism/communism. What is easy is accepting the status quo and playing the capitalist system to promote your individual interests for the duration of your life.

Think about all the great people who have sacrificed their own life and cast away their selfish capitalist/feudal ambitions to further humanity, the scientists like Galileo Galilei who defied the theocracy of his time with his works, inventors like Thomas Edison who invented the incandescent light bulb, imagine how much of their lives they spent on advancing humanity.

I'll conclude my rant with this..

You give meaning to your life. So in regard to your original question, if there is a point to life then that is for you to decide..

[RedAnarchist]

We're just a chemical reaction that for up to 120 or so years at the most (although this could change in the future) will have conciousness, so there is no set purpose nor point to life. We should enjoy the life we get, and use it to our own, and the world's, advantage.

[WhitemageofDOOM]

Yes, breeding. We are in the end, a biological machine that exists to pass on our genes.

However that doesn't mean we should feel constrained to that paradigm. There is far more to life than procreation, even if it is what we were designed to do.

[Pirate turtle the 11th]

We get drunk and stumble though town with the knowlage afterwards we wont remember anything. Why not get drunk and stumble though life knowing afterwards we wont remember anything?

[rosie]

What do you think? Simpe yes or no will do.

I think not, but also, there needs to be no point to life. Whoever is seeking a point to life is mistaken in their quest and need to find better things to do.
Richard Dawkins just did a speaking tour and addressed this question (it was actually the main point of discussion). The Purpose of life. We as humans often think there needs to be purpose in everything, thus everything has a purpose. Our brains sort information and catagorize everything in a way that we see coincidence as a sort of mystical/intelligent/intended purpose. When these catagorizations match up, we then assume (subconciously of course) that we must have purpose. Then again, the scientific proof is just not there. Chaos is everywhere. Things happen at random. LIFE happens at random. It is beautiful, indeed, but humans seem to need a goal, a purpose to exist. So we create one. The Stranger (by Albert Camus) also delves into the subject. I personally do not think we have a purpose, but since we are alive, we should try to make the best of life not just for us, but for the future as well.

[TC]

A point to biological life in general? No.

A point to any particular individual's life? Yes, whatever it is they decide it ought to be!

[Comrade Kaile]

im a nihilist, so no...

however, if there were one, itd be the simple reproduction of the species

[FreeFocus]

It's what you make of it. :)

[Il Medico]

The point to life is to have a good one. And what qualifies as a good one is up to the individual to decide.

[fiddlesticks]

The point to life is to have a good one. And what qualifies as a good one is up to the individual to decide.


I can gree with this!! Every person on the planet lives for a different reason. Maybe the point to life is finding a reason to live.. either that, or it is completely pointless.

[Atrus]

It depends what you mean by "a point".
I don't believe in the slightest that life was crafted with a distinct purpose, it was just a series of chance events, unable of having a purpose, it just happened.
However, that doesn't mean we should live our lives without purpose. The more we understand things, the better we can make lives for ourselves, and that's just common sense and logic, making life better for all. So if you class that as "a point", then yes, I suppose life does have a point, but not intentionally.

[New Tet]

When asked the same question by Eve, God said "Look, lady, there is no point to this experiment. So do the best you can and make of it what you will."

[Axle]

I believe there is a meaning of life, in that every person has something they want to do with their lives.

But if you're asking if there's a universal "meaning of life", absolutely not.

[deLarge]

If there is one, then we cannot know it, and thus it would be no different from if there were not one; the question is irrelevant.

[EvigLidelse]

If there is a "point" to life, it would be subjective - thus it wouldn't be worth discussing like this. If you by "point" mean "meaning", which assumes a creator, then it would be more rational to discuss the existence of this creator.

[LOLseph Stalin]

I say just live life as it comes towards you.

[yuon]

The question fails to define "point" and "life". Are viruses alive? Are they "life"?

I would suggest, that using a common understanding of the question (is there any reason for humans to exist), I would suggest not really. Humans simply do.

As pointed out above, humans, indeed all "life", is chemical reactions. We get energy from food, via chemical reactions. Etc.

The point, is what you make of it.

[communard resolution]

Have as much fun as possible before it's time to go. Dance, drink, love, learn. Get rid of people that are keeping you down.

[pastradamus]

Life is there to be enjoyed.

[h9socialist]

If there is a point to life the ones who know are keeping quiet about it. The floor generally belongs to those who do not know that they do not know.

[Reclaimed Dasein]

It depends what you mean by "a point".
I don't believe in the slightest that life was crafted with a distinct purpose, it was just a series of chance events, unable of having a purpose, it just happened.
However, that doesn't mean we should live our lives without purpose. The more we understand things, the better we can make lives for ourselves, and that's just common sense and logic, making life better for all. So if you class that as "a point", then yes, I suppose life does have a point, but not intentionally.


I believe there is a meaning of life, in that every person has something they want to do with their lives.

But if you're asking if there's a universal "meaning of life", absolutely not.

I think it's also important to clarify exactly what meaning means. Here's a helpful analogy.

A tool has a purpose extrinsic to it. It's purpose lies "outside" of it in the person using it.

A sentence like "It is raining" has an intrinsic meaning. In this case, the meaning of the sentence lies "inside of it" through the arrangement of various grammatical and semantic elements (problems of language notwithstanding).

Life certainly has a meaning, but it's an intrinsic rather than extrinsic meaning. In this case, many people react to the religious attempt at extrinsic meaning for life by saying there's no meaning. However, it seems completely clear and obvious life has an intrinsic meaning.

[LeninKobaMao]

There is no point to being happy and having fun but I still do it :)

[mel]

I think it's also important to clarify exactly what meaning means. Here's a helpful analogy.

A tool has a purpose extrinsic to it. It's purpose lies "outside" of it in the person using it.

A sentence like "It is raining" has an intrinsic meaning. In this case, the meaning of the sentence lies "inside of it" through the arrangement of various grammatical and semantic elements (problems of language notwithstanding).

Life certainly has a meaning, but it's an intrinsic rather than extrinsic meaning. In this case, many people react to the religious attempt at extrinsic meaning for life by saying there's no meaning. However, it seems completely clear and obvious life has an intrinsic meaning.

I'd like to say that I largely agree with this, though I generally use different terminology, but I'd just like to make a certain distinction.

Here the way in which you used "purpose" and "meaning" differently actually points at what I believe is an important distinction between the two for answering this question in a meaningful way.

When you talk about the tool you say:


A tool has a purpose extrinsic to it. It's purpose lies "outside" of it in the person using it.A tool is something which is designed with a use in mind. It is a deliberate creation, something for which the term "purpose" can actually make sense. It makes sense to talk about "purpose" for a created thing. The terminology implies design.

It would be nonsensical to talk about, say, a hammer having "meaning"...the same goes for any tool. A tool cannot have "meaning", but it can have a purpose.

When you talk about life, however, you say:


Life certainly has a meaning, but it's an intrinsic rather than extrinsic meaning. In this case, many people react to the religious attempt at extrinsic meaning for life by saying there's no meaning. However, it seems completely clear and obvious life has an intrinsic meaning.The religious attempt at an "extrinsic meaning" actually seems to me to be an attempt to define a purpose. By ultimately casting all humans as a creation, designed for a purpose they give life meaning by giving humans a role to fill. Meaning and purpose are separate concepts, and I think that most of the debate as to whether or not there is a "point" or a "purpose" or a "meaning" to life, is a result of the misappropriation of terms which clouds the issue.

It's much clearer to say, as the nihilist would, that life clearly has no "purpose" (no need for intrinsic or extrinsic), as purpose implies a design, which implies a designer. However, most would also be hard-pressed to say that life has no meaning. When somebody talks about what something means (except in the sense of a definition) it is something inherently subjective. Meaning as a concept is often used in such a way as to describe what something means to me. I think that is how we have to look at life in order to determine if it has a meaning, as it is clear that my life means something to me... and I think most people could repeat that line without lying.

I don't think there's a need for a distinction between intrinsic and extrensic as long as we talk coherently about the difference between meaning and purpose.

[SubcomandanteJames]

Everything we perceive is obviously done so with the intentions, morals, and ideals that are justifiable only by our own mind, nonexistent without human mentality, and as various as each mentality is within itself. The purpose of life as a thing is merely to exist, or to not exist. Life, as the experience, bears the meaning which we give it. It's only purpose, besides existing and ceasing to exist, must be what we come to know as true, because without our minds, it would do little more than exist and cease to exist. Personally, I feel that we learn truths about ourselves, and that we should externalize those truths we come to know in how we treat each other and all of living things, through the means of comparison. I may be able to recognize the creation of morality and "purpose" as a construct of nothing more than the human mind (nihilism/existentialism in theory), however, I reject nihilism in practice. As for the purpose of life, it merely exists and then goes. Purpose is created, which does not necessarily mean we should invalidate purpose, however.

[Bankotsu]

Is there a point to life?

Do you mean is there a purpose in existence of human race or is there a purpose in each human's life?

[Bankotsu]

It's like is there a purpose for the existence of a flock of geese?

They have to fly great distances to migrate(what's the purpose behind all this?) etc as compared to is there a purpose behind the existence of a single goose? Maybe its purpose is to mix around with some chickens and teach them how to fly higher?

[Comrade Akai]

It is my belief that life is a moral test and a search for truth. I believe that nothing is without purpose, and that true coincidences are very rare.

[EvigLidelse]

It's like is there a purpose for the existence of a flock of geese?

They have to fly great distances to migrate(what's the purpose behind all this?) etc as compared to is there a purpose behind the existence of a single goose? Maybe its purpose is to mix around with some chickens and teach them how to fly higher?

Purpose adheres to action, thus you are assuming an agent (with the ability to think rationally). Speaking about the purpose of flocks of geese is thus like asking for the underlying agent of this flock, like there was a creator or a stimulator of this action. One can instead ask what the purpose of flying in flocks is, thus you are making the geese the agents. That is the answer that you are giving. Your question and your answer thus isn't in line with each other.

Of course, why geese fly in flocks is probably better explained by evolution (as I geese obviously aren't rational thinkers ^^). The geese that don't fly in flocks tend to die, thus this is the result.

[Killfacer]

I would say no. I don't think there is any reason per say, simply that, like donkeys, we are born. Is there a point in a Bacteria's life? Probably not and we are no different than them. We simply get born, live and then die. There is no point.

[Muzk]

There is no point in life - you give it to yourself, no higher being chooses it for you, it's your life, your world - what you do with it depends on yourself.

[ComradeOm]

The only purpose to life is living

[Number 16 Bus Shelter]

As Said, I don't think there is a general point to life that encompasses all people (apart from the evolutionary/biological), but that each person finds his own 'point' .

I suppose what it boils down to is this:
Do you believe in fate/destiny or not?

*When I say 'Fate', im including the wills of a supreme being

Now, I confess, I am a romantic, and things like fate <i>do</i> have a certain appeal... But I don't think that I really believe in them, no

So what does everyone think about fate?

[communard resolution]

*When I say 'Fate', im including the wills of a supreme being

Do you mean that fate can mean the will of a supreme being, or do you mean that the fate always means the will of a supreme being?


So what does everyone think about fate?I don't understand the concept of fate. Does it mean that it is predestined how our lives evolve and that there is no coincidence? If so, then I don't think very much of it.

[Led Zeppelin]

What do we mean by saying that existence precedes essence? We mean that man first of all exists, encounters himself, surges up in the world – and defines himself afterwards. If man as the existentialist sees him is not definable, it is because to begin with he is nothing. He will not be anything until later, and then he will be what he makes of himself. Thus, there is no human nature, because there is no God to have a conception of it. Man simply is. Not that he is simply what he conceives himself to be, but he is what he wills, and as he conceives himself after already existing – as he wills to be after that leap towards existence. Man is nothing else but that which he makes of himself. - Sartre (http://www.marxists.org/reference/archive/sartre/works/exist/sartre.htm)

[Post-Something]

Life is more fun when it's pointless ;)

[Pirate turtle the 11th]

There is no point in life - you give it to yourself, no higher being chooses it for you, it's your life, your world - what you do with it depends on yourself.

I must say that this is brilliant and fills me with the same excitment as I had aged nine upon buying a computer game that told me i could do whatever i like.

[apawllo]

Likely not. I think that people are often enamored by what we've done as a race and assume that there's some greater cause; something that we're supposed to accomplish, each and every one of us individually, and perhaps for the greater good of humanity. The "soldier of god" mentality I guess you'd call it. The thought seems foolish. Personally, I view it in the opposite manner. I can't recall who it was who performed the study/wrote the book on this topic, but he said that inventions and discoveries are a result of societal conditions rather than individual genius. It's almost as though, regardless of what any of us do, history is going to take its course. As individuals we're all so seemingly inconsequential it's mind boggling, yet very exciting indeed.

[SubcomandanteJames]

"Is there a point to life?"

If we can accept that anything has "a point", which is obviously subjective to the function of the mind, then we can accept that "life" can either have or not have "a point".

I guess my "point" is, doesn't the question "Is there a point to life?" presuppose the existence of meaning as an objective element? And if we are accepting that, then sure life has "a point" if you want it.

[RotStern]

Hell yeah, REVOLUTION xD

[MarxSchmarx]

Even if "life" had "a point", why should we care?

Robert Nozick gave a great thought experiment. Suppose the "meaning of human life" were to serve as snack food for intergalactic travelers. Does this imply we need to fatten ourselves up and make our selves as tasty/desirable as possible? Does this in fact affect our day to day behavior at all? Of course not. So it is absurd to claim that even IF there were "a meaning to life", it per se should have to affect how we behave. As such, the question isn't meaningless; it is actually pointless.

[DigiFluid]

Voted yes.

I think there's importance and value in contributing as much as you can back to society. Not for any particularly personal reason, it's just the right thing to do.

[ÑóẊîöʼn]

Insufficient data for an answer.

[EvigLidelse]

Voted yes.

I think there's importance and value in contributing as much as you can back to society. Not for any particularly personal reason, it's just the right thing to do.

So you think of this value as an objective value?

[DigiFluid]

I do. I'm perfectly aware that the majority out there don't share this point of view, but I don't believe in religion of any kind, and as such don't define my life around religious concepts of right, wrong, and reward or punishment after death. I do, however, believe in the betterment of humanity and our world through a broader belief in the common good.

[Rjevan]

Even if "life" had "a point", why should we care?

Robert Nozick gave a great thought experiment. Suppose the "meaning of human life" were to serve as snack food for intergalactic travelers. Does this imply we need to fatten ourselves up and make our selves as tasty/desirable as possible? Does this in fact affect our day to day behavior at all? Of course not. So it is absurd to claim that even IF there were "a meaning to life", it per se should have to affect how we behave.
:lol:
I like that guy, nice logic and just what I think. Given that there really is some sort of divine being which chose out of acute bordom that the sense of life is to drive around in circles by a unicycle while wearing a fancy hat and singing yellow submarine for two hours every day, so what, who cares? I certainly not.

But anyway, nah, I really don't think that there is a point to life, if you talk about "fate", a "natural", "divine" or whatelse point of life then definitely no in my opinion, life is just life and that's it.
But everybody gives his/her life a meaning, knowingly or not, whatever it may be, your family, religion, earning money and becoming successful or working for the revolution. ;)

[mel]

:lol:I like that guy, nice logic and just what I think.

I know this has no bearing on his stance on this issue, but you do realize that Nozick was one of the primary defenders of US Libertarianism, right?

[Klaatu]

I do not recall where I heard this saying:

"The meaning of (intelligent) life, is to make known, that which is unknown, in the universe."

That is, our human purpose is to learn, and thus, to better the human condition.

[RotStern]

If there was a single point to life diversity wouldn't exist.

[Rjevan]

I know this has no bearing on his stance on this issue, but you do realize that Nozick was one of the primary defenders of US Libertarianism, right?
No, in fact I didn't untill you said so. I have to admit that I'm not that firm when it comes to American Libertarians, so I stand corrected, I don't like that guy but his quote is still nice. Happy now? ;)

[Lyev]

If you look at humans scientifically, simply as a species of biological organisms, I think the only point to life is to reproduce. Although I think that 'life has no point' is a rather pessimistic outlook. If you truly believe that why not just kill yourself now? It might sound a bit vague and tautological but I think the point to life is simply existence and everything that it entails. 'Everything that it entails' is totally subjective. I don't think this is a totally objective question; human life is too vast and abstract to coldly calculate.

[mel]

No, in fact I didn't untill you said so. I have to admit that I'm not that firm when it comes to American Libertarians, so I stand corrected, I don't like that guy but his quote is still nice. Happy now? ;)

Just figured I'd let you know. He provides a solid argument in any case, even where it has its flaws, it's presented in his book "Anarchy, State and Utopia"

[Orange Juche]

I guess to answer, you'd have to elaborate on what "point to life" even means.

In terms of a specific purpose for which life exists to serve, as if "God" made us for some reason, no, I'd say not.

In a scientific sense, it is part of a grander natural process. It's "point" is to fulfill this process. What was once star stuff became planets, on Earth, minerals, which brought amino acids, single celled organisms, etc. Life's purpose, in this sense, is simple to fulfill it's natural needs. To survive.

In the sense of personal existence, we create our own reasons for living. Things we love, people we love. There isn't a universal point, but it's universally shared that there is a "reason" for living.

[thethinkingchimp]

The umbrella explanation for the point of life is: reproduce before the chemical reactions that you are comprised of cease to function.

[Bankotsu]

Is there a point to life?

42?



In 'The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy', a computer called 'Deep Thought' is created to find the answer to 'life, the universe and everything', and the computer comes up with the answer '42'. A pointless conclusion that meant not a thing to anyone.




Douglas Adams was warning us that there is really no point in trying to work out why we're all here, just enjoy yourself.


http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8750_5540960,00.html

[Forward Union]

The question is logically nonsense which is why it has occupied peoples tme so much.

Asking what the meaning of life is, is the same as asking what the meaning of blue is. It's impossible to answer, though we could prescribe our own meanings to it.

"Life" Is just a biological process but I dont see that as being a particularly depressing world view.

Im having fun :cool:

[JohannGE]

Well obviously "42" is the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything.

More specificaly in relation to "the point":-

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i_U1pwvU7xk

[yuon]

It's a great way to get all the pseudo-philosophers out of the wood-work. Ask a pseudo-philosophical question.

How about this for a question: If you were to find out tomorrow (as at 9:30 am) that actually your entire life until now was merely a simulation, that you did not live in the real world, and that all your hopes and dreams amount to nothing, how would you react?

[JohannGE]

How about this for a question: If you were to find out tomorrow (as at 9:30 am) that actually your entire life until now was merely a simulation, that you did not live in the real world, and that all your hopes and dreams amount to nothing, how would you react?

What do you mean "if". I get that every day!

I usualy just rewind the clock.

:)

[superiority]

There is no grand cosmic purpose. Life is what you make of it. With certain caveats.


If you were to find out tomorrow (as at 9:30 am) that actually your entire life until now was merely a simulation, that you did not live in the real world, and that all your hopes and dreams amount to nothing, how would you react?

If I'm not "real", it's still a convincing enough illusion for all practical purposes. It's not like it makes any difference to me.

[Olerud]

no... however, if there were one, itd be the simple reproduction of the species

This.

[Tyrlop]

in the deep future, after long seeking of the meaning of life, the Clever people will realize what the meaning of life is, and when they do, they will properly be so disappointed, and that is where mankind is doomed.

[Hit The North]

Am I alone in finding it troubling that, on this board for revolutionaries, the majority position for people who have voted in this poll is that there is no point to life?

Isn't the point of life to make a better world for those who come after us? Isn't that why we're revolutionaries?

[Искра]

Rape, pillage and destroy.

[MilitantAnarchist]

Yea, there is a point to life. Thats to live.

[FreeFocus]

Am I alone in finding it troubling that, on this board for revolutionaries, the majority position for people who have voted in this poll is that there is no point to life?

Isn't the point of life to make a better world for those who come after us? Isn't that why we're revolutionaries?

I've noticed that most "leftists" on here tend to be amoral nihilists basically, which is sad and pretty disheartening.

[mel]

I've noticed that most "leftists" on here tend to be amoral nihilists basically, which is sad and pretty disheartening.

Yeah, they also have a tendency to shy away from the potential ethical underpinnings of a revolutionary position, using moral nihilism as a justification for revolutionary violence rather than arguing for the ethical superiority of the socialist position. It's a bit bizzarre to me.

[yuon]

Am I alone in finding it troubling that, on this board for revolutionaries, the majority position for people who have voted in this poll is that there is no point to life?

Isn't the point of life to make a better world for those who come after us? Isn't that why we're revolutionaries?
In the grand scheme of things, on the scale of the universe, I would suggest that there is no "point" (in the sense of having a purpose) to "life" (or anything really).

To argue that there is a purpose for humans existing, is a non-materialist position. For there to be a purpose, there has to be someone/something to have created that purpose.

So, as for making the world a better place for those who come after us, what then is the point of those who come after us? ("You say we're put on this earth to make others happy? ... What are the others put here for?")

From that perspective, to say that "there is no point to life", is not in any way troubling. Indeed, I would suggest that it is the people who are claiming a purpose that are troubling, as they are non-materialistic in their (at least this type of) thinking.
---

Of course, from a "where here on Earth, forget the big picture" perspective. Then I guess, there is a point for my life. For me to do what I what. I'm a revolutionary leftist because I think that anarchism offers the best hope for me, the individual, to obtain a good, happy, fulfilling life. It also provides that hope for everyone else as well, and I like that.


I've noticed that most "leftists" on here tend to be amoral nihilists basically, which is sad and pretty disheartening.
Being a nihilist isn't anything to "wrong", sad or disheartening. I doubt though, that you could claim that people are "amoral" simply because they reject the notion that there is a "purpose" (point) to life. Amoral means without morals, and I would suggest that most leftists are strongly moral. (Assuming that moral means the same as ethical, which it doesn't.)

Most leftists would find it immoral to exploit others for example. Hardly the thinking of someone who is amoral.

Nihilism, rejecting the idea that there is any point, or purpose to existence (or life) and linked to the idea that there is no objective truth regarding ethics and morals, is not an anti-leftist philosophy.

Indeed, because it is a distinctly materialist (rejecting the non-physical, super/para normal/natural, gods and angels, unicorns and fairies) it fits well any sensible "left" framework.

[ZeroNowhere]

Is there a point to life?
In what context? Why not kill yourself, what are you trying to accomplish in life, or what?

And genes aren't living beings, so can we please cut the crap about the purpose of life being reproduction?


To argue that there is a purpose for humans existing, is a non-materialist position. For there to be a purpose, there has to be someone/something to have created that purpose.Yes, for example, living humans. Though I'm not entirely sure what you mean by 'creating a purpose'. And claiming some bullshit as the purpose of the lives of human beings in general is hardly non-materialistic; The crap about genes is perfectly compatible with not believing in the supernatural or being an idealist.


"You say we're put on this earth to make others happy? ... What are the others put here for?"I would guess that the 'we' here includes the 'others'.

[spiltteeth]

Well, I'd argue that unless you have some overriding ethical reference point to guide yr actions, there is no point in trying to change the world.
Actually, I've never met an atheist, or someone who has no trancedental underpinning to their belief, to be logically consistent, including Neitchze (beyond good & evil, right).

Personally, I think there is a point to life - to love as best you can.
(Which does not translate into being tolerant to immoral/fascist behaviors.)

For a different perspective however....:

http://i971.photobucket.com/albums/ae191/spiltteeth/walken.jpg

[revolt4thewin]

Yes there is and it is never worth it giving up.

[Louise Michel]

Am I alone in finding it troubling that, on this board for revolutionaries, the majority position for people who have voted in this poll is that there is no point to life?

Isn't the point of life to make a better world for those who come after us? Isn't that why we're revolutionaries?

Yes, let's make our own purpose and reason to live. I'm sure that those who died fighting for a better world have done this. Just do the very best you can and what comes after (or doesn't come) is in the lap of the Gods :)

[hefty_lefty]

Seems like the real reason life lacks a point is because it ends, in a rather short span of time at that.
If we lived very long lives, or forever...we would have to find a purpose.

The purpose to life may be just that...to die, does anyone here know what happens when you die?
It may be meaningful.

[black magick hustla]

Yeah, they also have a tendency to shy away from the potential ethical underpinnings of a revolutionary position, using moral nihilism as a justification for revolutionary violence rather than arguing for the ethical superiority of the socialist position. It's a bit bizzarre to me.

the issue here is that asking iflife has a sense is like asking if a rock has a sense. its a teleological question, and the atheists folks who are eager to use "reason" to answer it are wasting their breath and just acting like godless godsuckers.

"The problem of life lies in the dissolution of the problem."

[hayat khan]

individual basis life i nothing if who individual person not attach for any organization and collective proses then this philosophy is not good aware the society cream and change the system of individualism philosophy

[Outinleftfield]

It's a great way to get all the pseudo-philosophers out of the wood-work. Ask a pseudo-philosophical question.

How about this for a question: If you were to find out tomorrow (as at 9:30 am) that actually your entire life until now was merely a simulation, that you did not live in the real world, and that all your hopes and dreams amount to nothing, how would you react?

Id be happy it was over and never run that simulation again and happily get back to my real life which if this is a simulation my real life has to be better than this.

The odds are in my favor. This is more likely to be a simulation than real life, because of the sheer number of simulations that will be created when the technology is there.

And then even when its over the odds are you're still in a simulation that had a simulation of a simulation in it. And when you're out of that the odds still are its just a simulation.

What if we live in a multiverse of endless simulations? Each universe is a simulation inside of another universe. And the mediums of simulation would be different. Sometimes a video game, sometimes an experiment, sometimes a forced simulation for someone else's benefit(matrix), and sometimes an intense drug trip(strong enough salvia can cause people to hallucinate the passing of an entire lifetime in 5 to 10 minutes and during that time they forget their real life and think the hallucination is real). Maybe even dreams are universes. I've never dreamed a whole life but I've had some trippy dreams.

I just thought does this mean that sims live real lives(as real as possible if everything is a simulation) in the computer games? I hope not. To think of all the pain I caused by removing ladders from pools.

EDIT: Forgot to answer the question.

Is there a point to life? Only if you want there to be. There's no objective point in living. For anything to be objective it has to be proveable starting with an observation that can be made in the material world. Some would say reproduction, but the fact that life exists because of reproduction doesn't prove that that's the point to life. Computers exist because people make them, but the point to computers isn't making computers (unless that's how it was programmed).

If you think about nothing is really objective, because the material world could be fake, just a simulation. So even objectively true things are only subjectively true. You're saying its true given the assumption that the world we live in and experience every day is real.

[mel]

the issue here is that asking iflife has a sense is like asking if a rock has a sense. its a teleological question, and the atheists folks who are eager to use "reason" to answer it are wasting their breath and just acting like godless godsuckers.

"The problem of life lies in the dissolution of the problem."

When someone asks if life has meaning, life has purpose, or life has a "point", they're asking three separate questions without realizing. They require different answers, though the third one seems tied in with the first.

I cover this much earlier in the thread, and all three questions are pretty easy to answer just by using words how they were meant to be used in the first place. One of those questions is teleological, the other two require no teleological narrative to answer in the affirmative, they merely require some basic self-reflection. The question of purpose is teleological, and it's a nonsense question to ask of something which has no design. The question of meaning is tied up inherently in the subjective, and will be answered differently by different groups and individuals.

The only way to conflate the two is to tie the words "meaning" and "purpose" together as synonyms, something which is senseless in absolutely any other context except for when dealing with this particular question. Our language has gotten so confused on this issue it's almost impossible to talk sensibly about the distinction.

[thesmokingfrog]

of course there is one! the one over the i (Life).
besides that one, life is how you live it, so if you have a point to life, so will be ur life

[Ol' Dirty]

The only purpose of your life is the one you assign to it.

[CELMX]

No, there is no purpose in life...but since you are already living it, why not enjoy it?
Just dance, fall in love, get drunk, grow up a bit, start a revolution:D!
Then retire into a nice communist society...:rolleyes:

[Luís Henrique]

Am I alone in finding it troubling that, on this board for revolutionaries, the majority position for people who have voted in this poll is that there is no point to life?

Isn't the point of life to make a better world for those who come after us? Isn't that why we're revolutionaries?
You are taking a very dubious premise for granted.

Luís Henrique

[Stranger Than Paradise]

There is no actual pre-determined point to life. It is what we make of it and as a Libertarian Communist the point of my life is to make the world a better place (and enjoy my life).

[The Broke Cycle]

There is no actual pre-determined point to life. It is what we make of it and as a Libertarian Communist the point of my life is to make the world a better place (and enjoy my life).

A libertarian communist?

I've heard that phrase before and just assumed it was nonsense, seeing as how libertarians place personal liberty above all else and communists place the social good above all else.

Apparently not. What, exactly, is libertarian communism?

[Dean]

A libertarian communist?

I've heard that phrase before and just assumed it was nonsense, seeing as how libertarians place personal liberty above all else and communists place the social good above all else.

Apparently not. What, exactly, is libertarian communism?

Libertarian communists believe in communism as a freedom-bearing system. It's really just anarchist communism. Libertarianism, as it exists in the U.S. is really a doctored from of European libertarianism, which fits with this communist sense of the term.

[tradeunionsupporter]

I think the point to life is to live for a cause.

[The Red Next Door]

Yes, there is a point to life. which is your life and everybody else but it all depends if people are willing to be successful in life and achieve their goals. You for example have a point in life, that is to fight and defend the working class from greed and abuse of the big cheeses, that run our country.

[Orwell'sLeftEye]

There is no point. No universal point to life. You give meaning to your own life.

[xtremerebel]

There is no point. No universal point to life. You give meaning to your own life.

Yeah, I agree with you. There is no one set purpose for human life. You make your own point and purpose, whatever that may be, whether it be following a religion to heart or, for instance, becoming a revolutionary and overthrowing the capitalist system. Your purpose in life is that which you choose.

[Meridian]

"Meaning" is fundamentally a human idea, not applicable to the universe.

It is also too shallow to say that the "meaning" of humans and other organisms is to reproduce. That may be one "meaning" for humans, depending on whether or not such activity (or the outcome of such activity) is meaningful for them or not. For other organisms than humans it is meaningful on largely the same criteria. If they do not have consciousness then it is problematic to talk about "meaning" at all.

[Comrade Anarchist]

No, we create all points of life. Although the one i have created for myself is to absorb as much knowledge as possible and to further myself and humanity in anyway, slightly romantic.

[Pierson's]

no materialist can claim that there is some inate purpose or point to life. after all, there is no god or creator to give life meaning.
so is there any other point? i believe that what others have answered is probably good enough. the point of life is what you give it.

for me, that means have fun, and don't hurt others.

[Yazman]

I voted for "invalid question." This is a nonsensical question - its like asking, "What is the meaning of grass?"

Life is something that "just is." The idea of there being a "purpose" or a "meaning" for it sounds to me like a purely religious/spiritual concept.

I won't vote no because that would be explicitly denying something that I feel is nonsensical to begin with. There is no meaning except that which you create and attribute.

[Dooga Aetrus Blackrazor]

I can see how there would be a point to life. It could occur in the following ways.

1. It's someone in the laws of the universe.
2. It's in people innately.
3. It's chosen by individual people.
4. It's created by individual people.

I like to pursue pleasure and avoid pain. That is my meaning. It's somewhat ingrained in me, but I also accepted it. Being inclined to eat when hungry is ingrained in me, but I also accepted it.

Pleasure is a pretty good meaning as far as I can see. I've never really understood how people go around always saying "there is no meaning" when pleasure is right there in front of them. I mean, it's good. It's necessarily good. 1+1=2?

[ZeroNowhere]

This is a nonsensical question - its like asking, "What is the meaning of grass?" Technically, humans have a slightly larger brain than grass, and can do things with purposes, have purposes, etc. It would probably make quite a bit of sense in the context of suicide, and such (What is the purpose of living/life, etc). However, given that people generally don't have any purpose behind living as such, there is certainly a problem with just chucking the question out there. Alternatively, it could be taken as a facon de parler (pardon my laziness in regards to characters) for one's main goal in life, etc. Though generally it's meant as something more profound, but profoundly empty.