Why are we here?

[FearlessLeader2]

First of all: It is not worthless. I never said that.

Our subjective purposes are created by education, experience, environment and such. From what we see around, we can logically conclude what serves us well, and what not. This is not easy. History has some nasty examples of people having a vast & firm believe in the goodness of something terribly evil. Furthermore, selfishness has a rather big influence too.

But self-serving is absolutely not the only logical course. It is a simple absolute fact that people/communities do better when there are some basic rules. I think these basic rules throughout history are very easy and universal: Do not kill, do not steal, do not leave your family that needs your support. These are rules that need no objective purpose. They are simply needed to make a society run well. It's the only option.

But why should society run well at the expense of the individual? What intrinsic value does it have?

 

[Birdjaguar]

But why should society run well at the expense of the individual? What intrinsic value does it have?

The natural tension between an individual and society is not just one sided. There are positive and negative consequences for both. Working for a greater good (society) has enabled us to cure polio, build atomic bombs and drive cars really, really fast while drunk. Our hunter gathers instincts are still too strong for the recent arrival of civilization, so it will take some time to learn to use good manners in the presence of others.

 

[CivCube]

As Curt and others have said, there is no meaning to life unless you give it meaning.

A question: would it change anything if it turned out that you are the only one here?

 

[stormbind]

Here's a horrible thought: Maybe we are here to die!

God wanted to get rid of all the bad souls, but he didn't want us to suffer, so he sent us to hell... aka Earth. And that is why we cannot fathom the meaning of life.

I don't really believe that, but I feel it does have a way of demonstrating how pathetic and insignificant we all are.. and maybe we should try being good souls

 

[Birdjaguar]

As Curt and others have said, there is no meaning to life unless you give it meaning.

In their opinion only. They haven't found any meaning beyond what they can instill from personal experience. Their inability to find meaning doesn't preclude it existing. Any number of things existed quite nicely for many years before humans "discovered" and quantified them: quantum physics, plate tectonics, caring, dopamine, the Gulf Stream, etc etc.

Perhaps, it just highlights the inadequacy of their search.

 

[Birdjaguar]

I don't really believe that, but I feel it does have a way of demonstrating how pathetic and insignificant we all are.. and maybe we should try being good souls

"pathetric and insignificant" are relative terms. To the cosmos? To the ants in my yard? To the chinese? All of us to the glory and radiance that is Curt?

I hope by "soul", you only mean people and not that elusive and eternal bit of stuff that weighs 28 grams, otherwise you might have to prove it's real.

 

[Birdjaguar]

A question: would it change anything if it turned out that you are the only one here?

Only me on earth?
Only earth in the universe?
Or only something else?

 

[stormbind]

I hope by "soul", you only mean people and not that elusive and eternal bit of stuff that weighs 28 grams, otherwise you might have to prove it's real.

Why not let each individual choose a meaning. And how about replacing pathetic with vulnerable?

 

[Birdjaguar]

Why not let each individual choose a meaning. And how about replacing pathetic with vulnerable?

I'm not so sure we are very vunerable. Certainly as a species we are pretty adaptable. And as individuals, we are tough and resourceful.

 

[stormbind]

I'm not so sure we are very vunerable. Certainly as a species we are pretty adaptable. And as individuals, we are tough and resourceful.

I meant in this hypothetical scenario:

Here's a horrible thought: Maybe we are here to die!

God wanted to get rid of all the bad souls, but he didn't want us to suffer, so he sent us to hell... aka Earth. And that is why we cannot fathom the meaning of life.

 

[CivCube]

In their opinion only. They haven't found any meaning beyond what they can instill from personal experience. Their inability to find meaning doesn't preclude it existing. Any number of things existed quite nicely for many years before humans "discovered" and quantified them: quantum physics, plate tectonics, caring, dopamine, the Gulf Stream, etc etc.

Perhaps, it just highlights the inadequacy of their search.

I wasn't talking about existance, just whether there is meaning or not. But you're right about it being an opinion.

Only me on earth?
Only earth in the universe?
Or only something else?

Let's say there are no such things as aliens for simplicity. What if you found that everyone else was non-existant, and that you are the only one here?

Originally Posted by Stormbind
Here's a horrible thought: Maybe we are here to die!

God wanted to get rid of all the bad souls, but he didn't want us to suffer, so he sent us to hell... aka Earth. And that is why we cannot fathom the meaning of life.

"Aw, c'mon guys, it was a joke! Don't you see how hilarious the irony is? Bah, you guys have no sense of humor."

 

[Birdjaguar]

I meant in this hypothetical scenario:

Well, if we are all in hell, at least it's not eternal! And since cool stuff happens here (family, kids, Civ and soon Total War: Rome) hell ain't so bad.

 

[WS78]

There is no adequate answer to the question posed but here is a small inspiration.
As many said before: We are here to die, so just enjoy the ride.

 

[bigmeat]

it says it clearly i the bible why we're here

god put us here to do his gardening

 

[Perfection]

it says it clearly i the bible why we're here

god put us here to do his gardening

Well, then he's made us pretty crappy gardners what with the deforestation and all.

 

[bigmeat]

in my opinion god doesn't have a plan, he gave us free will so why would we be bound to some plan, life in my opinion is an entry exam for heaven

 

[PantheraTigris2]

in my opinion god doesn't have a plan, he gave us free will so why would we be bound to some plan, life in my opinion is an entry exam for heaven

Sorry, but I can't take it anymore... your sig is wrong.

It says:
From the halls of Montezuma to the shores of Tripoli, we will fight are countries battles, the United States Marines
-the marine corp hymn

Change it to:
From the halls of Montezuma, to the shores of Tripoli,
We fight our country's battles in the air, on land and sea.

It's not 'we will fight' - it's 'we fight'... a common mistake they make, even in boot camp. The DI always got pissed off. Also, it's 'Corps'... and 'our', not 'are'

And if you want to include "United States Marine" at the end, just add the next lines:
"First to fight for right and freedom, and to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title of United States Marine."

Btw, the whole thing goes...
(click here)

Thanks, PT2
(former jarhead)

 

[Birdjaguar]

Obviously, one of the reasons we are here is to keep our fellow citizens in line.

 

[FearlessLeader2]

Obviously, one of the reasons we are here is to keep our fellow citizens in line.

Surprise, I've been thinking about this all this time. And what you put there is dang close to the mark.

I'm about to lose (if I haven't already) all of the anti-deists. Accepting that God (specifically, the God described in the Bible) is real, and did create us, that leaves me with the knowledge that a) I was meant to be immortal, and that b) I have the chance to regain that status. Examination of Scripture in this regard reveals that the purpose of our lives here in this 'system of things' (Jesus' phrase to describe our materialistic world) is to learn what is important and what is not. We're here to prepare ourselves for immortality. We have to learn to eschew materialism, and embrace the things that stand the test of time.

What is the point of acquiring materials that are subject to entropic forces when onesself is not? At some point after acquiring them, they will wither, rot, decay, or fade. Why seek to establish dominion over others, or dynasty of dominion, when sooner or later it will get boring giving the same silly orders and hearing the same silly reports?

Wealth and power are ghosts, illusions, that have no permanence, and hold no power over the immortal. In a world of immortals, the only lasting things are the immortals themselves, and the feelings they have for one another. Anger, gluttony, envy, lust, greed, sloth, and pride, when magnified down the long years of an immortal life, would create unbearable situations. It is our task to learn how to unlearn these things, live without what inspires them, and most importantly of all, never miss them.

The best way to do this is as a community or family that shows love to its members. Love is the nemesis of all seven sins, none of them can endure where love is active. 'Love thy neighbor' is not just a good idea, it's the only way to make immortality bearable. That's why it is neccessary to spread Jesus' message to the entire inhabited earth, so that everyone will have the knowledge they need to prepare for the future that awaits all who can do so successfully.

What then? Forever is a long time. Long enough, maybe, to discover the answer to the ultimate Why.

Thanks, it's been most helpful.

 

[Stapel]

'Love thy neighbor' is not just a good idea, it's the only way to make immortality bearable.

It is simply the only way to make life bearable!
I see nothing divine in it. It is a logical thing to do, in order to ake society work!

A serious question FL:
If you think we are here to learn some lessons, before entering the eternal. And if you belive Jesus' messages are the most important lessons, what was God's idea with life on earth before Jesus came around?

Did God purposely create the world and humans, without a proper way to learn the lessons for immortality, so he could send this proper way later on?