So, what do you believe the meaning of life is? Are we here by some divine plan, or are we simply Von Neumann machines who have grown too aware to complete their original programming?

I pose that the ability to have higher conscious thought is an impediment to our primary purpose of reproduction.

Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Nov 26 2009, 1:11 am by Voyager7456.

I find it hard to believe that there truly is a meaning to life - at least not one we can at this point comprehend.

Perhaps it would be better if you elaborated on your ideas?

Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Nov 26 2009, 1:12 am by Symmetry.

Well the search for other meaning in life causes us to devote energy to other pursuits - compare to the bacteria which is a mindless reproducing machine.

Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Nov 26 2009, 1:12 am by Voyager7456.

Are you implying that our conciousness is a product of some outside influence? I hardly think a comparison to bacteria is fair.

Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Nov 26 2009, 1:12 am by Symmetry.

No, not at all, I'm simply saying that the bacteria is far better at propagating its race than we are. It can undergo massive evolution in the span of mere days. If the purpose of life is to replicate, then it is better at it than we are.

Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Nov 26 2009, 1:12 am by Voyager7456.

I disagree - I would call humans something of a plateau on the evolutionary scale. While bacteria need to undergo massive changes to survive, the human mind allows us to retain our current form for an extensive amount of time. It's our search for other meanings in life than reproduction that allow us to thrive the way we have.

Post has been edited 3 time(s), last time on Nov 26 2009, 1:14 am by Symmetry.

If it's not lulz, I don't know what it is.


Edit: Seriously I don't. Maybe the purpose of life is to find out it's purpose?

The purpose of life is to not die.

Also, while certainly a lofty issue, ponderings over the meaning of life do not denote a serious discussion.

>>Null

This is exactly true.


Also, there isn't a meaning to life.

The purpose of life is to survive as long as you can and also having fun with it.

What is 'meaning'?

To reply to a few responses here, if biological success is keeping your species out of extinction for some number of millions of years, humans are pretty bad at it.

Humans evolved higher thought processes because the humans with more reasoning survived better (gathered more food, stayed out of danger, etc.). Hypothetically, nature produces organisms that are fit to survive and reproduce. However, humans have evolved a relatively low reproduction rate (in terms of individuals) but relatively high chance of survival to adulthood.

I do not believe there is a meaning to life other than survival and reproduction.

The meaning of life is to make as much good and as little bad.

The meaning of life is to live. You are born and you will die. There isn't an after life and there is no divinity above and around us.

We have evolved from a stupid animal into something more. We birthed society and co operation to a level no species has. We created greed, jealousy and anger with possession. We also introduced love, pleasure and hope.

We are gods to all animals, but they aren't smart enough to know it.

So all we do goes to waste anyways, so just be nice, liked, loving and happy.

Wat.

What meaning? their is none. Everything thats happened, happened for no other reason than 'just because'

Also, WAR.

Assuming that life has a purpose, that purpose is to give the universe a reason to be there.

Devilesk called. He's asking you to define 'good' and 'bad'.

Experience without agenda.

Say 'hi' from me and tell him that each one of us defines it in the way he/she likes.

Since the first seven posts were edited, I would have to say the meaning of life is pursuing perpetually changing opinions and positions.