Question. What Is The Meaning Of Life?

[nailit]

Answer. There isnt one. This can be the only rational response.
There is no *ultimate* meaning, although we are all capable of making *a* meaning of our individual existance.

For some, such as christians and muslims, the meaning of life is to get themselves a place in paradise. But this doesnt answer the question, it only removes it a step. What then is the meaning of a life lived eternally?
For others who believe in reincarnation, the meaning is to become perfect/reach Nirvana/or whatever but doesnt answer the question. Again, it only removes it a step. What is the actual *meaning* of it all?

The only rational response to the big question must be there IS no ultimate meaning. Each and everyone of us are only here due to a chance meeting of a sperm meeting an egg.
We are born and then we die, like everything else in nature. A zebra's life has had no meaning when its been eaten alive by a lion. A tree's life has had no meaning when its been chopped down for firewood.
I totally fail to see why the religious cannot grasp a simple truth.

I would love to be proved wrong though.

[fcc]

A caterpillar is not a butterfly,is the point i am trying to make,so that when one goes it does not die but changes into something more beautiful.

[andy-hughes]

fcc - // A caterpillar is not a butterfly,is the point i am trying to make,so that when one goes it does not die but changes into something more beautiful. //

I am aware that a catapillar does not die - I didn't say it did - you did.

You appear confused by your own point - I assume you are drawing a comparison between the mutation of a caterpillar and the death of a human, which is not a death, but a transmutation into something else.

If that is your premise - it's a dodgy one - because the butterfly does not go on to mutate into something more beautiful again, it just dies, like everything else dies.

A change yes - eternal life? Apparently not.

[fcc]

eternal life?apparently not,but science tells us we can not destroy matter,only change it's appearance.

[douglas9401]

There seems to be some confusion between mutation and metamorphosis.

[andy-hughes]

douglas - // There seems to be some confusion between mutation and metamorphosis. //

Not from me there isn;t.

I understand that in fact - because you can see it happen - a caterpillar mutates into a butterfly, and in theory - because you can't see it happen - a human metamorphisises into a spirit.

I understand the difference, i can;t speak for fcc who is attempting to use the illustration of one to confirm the process of the other, which is not valid.

[andy-hughes]

fcc - // eternal life?apparently not,but science tells us we can not destroy matter,only change it's appearance. //

Why bother constructing an illustration if you are simply going to dismantle it again?

[douglas9401]

A caterpillar metamorphoses into a butterfly, whether you like it or not.

[andy-hughes]

douglas - // A caterpillar metamorphoses into a butterfly, whether you like it or not. //

I have no opinion either way - your point is?

[douglas9401]

.

[andy-hughes]

No point then, just derailing - again

[Mamyalynne]

What a fascinating read, good thread Nailit.

[douglas9401]

My point, darling, is that the process is metamorphosis, mutation can be similar but not the same.

But you're well read so you knew that and are merely grandstanding rather than admit a slight error on your part.

Do continue to try getting over yourself as a large fish in this small pond.

The end. X

[andy-hughes]

Douglas - in no particular order - I am not 'grandstanding', yes I did know that, and what is the 'error' I'm supposedly not acknowledging?

[Theland]

To echo Mamyas comment, great thread, excellent question, lots of potential.
See Nailit? Your comprehensive education continues to bear fruit.
The meaning of life?
Some say there isn't any, some say they've found it in their own particular lives and circumstances, completely subjective if you will, and some say there is an objective universal demand on us to search out and identify the meaning g of life, and live our lives accordingly.
So, in my opinion, a variety of opinions, some satisfying and some not so.

[pixie374]

Theland... I've asked a similar question many times before but nobody can answer, maybe you can (or will?)... basically... if the point of life,is about the afterlife. What is the point of the afterlife?

[vulcan42]

And if Theland is in an answering mood perhaps he could explain why he thinks human beings, who believe in an afterlife, are so important, that they deserve eternal life?

[Mamyalynne]

Surely we all see the meaning and purpose of our lives in our own individual way.

[Theland]

I'm quite happy to offer my thoughts, but I expect a lot of negative comebacks if I do.
As if I have insulted some, who can take offence at the most innocuous shared opinions.

[pixie374]

That doesn't answer anything, theland. I am not insulting you, just asking.

[andy-hughes]

Theland - // I'm quite happy to offer my thoughts, but I expect a lot of negative comebacks if I do.
As if I have insulted some, who can take offence at the most innocuous shared opinions. //

It's less the opinions you share, than the way you share them.

You should realise that by now - enough people have advised you of that enough times.