Poll: Is the meaning of existence relative?

[default]

Ever since we began here in this obscene and strange world, we have tried to make sense of it. It's what we do, we pull things apart so we can understand then, because we fear ignorance.

See religion, ideals, philosophies, etcetera.

Now, to quote the superbly amazing Gandalf (by the way this isn't were I got the idea

"All we can do is to decide what to do with the time that is given to us."

Now, I am not atheist. I don't have no opinion, I'm just unsure as to whether there is a greater purpose to this surreal existence I find myself in. I will live this life as I see fit.

Maybe this is all a figment of my imagination, and I am really a comatose energy-based being of thought drifting in the nether, creating a world of fantasy for myself in my subconsious... Who knows? But I digress.

I strongly believe we make our own purpose. For instance, my purpose is to make beautiful things for other people to enjoy, and to find love to share with others. To have as many exciting, unique and beautiful experiences as is possible on this earth... And browsing a forum isn't one of them, keep in mind

A scientist or a doctor will usually say their purpose is to help people and further the development of our species as a whole. A musician or an actor's purpose is to entertain people, to fulfill a need.

With this in mind, think. Is the meaning of existence relative to that who is experiencing it?

Post your thoughts below.

 

[viranimus]

I would say subjective rather than relative.

But not in an "we are just the imagination of ourselves" type context.

I think we are in fact real, Its just our knowledge, which is what defines us, is very much subjective, and with such the rules and laws that we think are incontrovertible are in actuality just waiting to be broken.

 

[theComposer]

I take Einstein's Theory of Relativity quite literally, meaning that the only constant in the universe is the speed of light. Everything else is relative to your perspective, frame of reference, etc. This includes the meaning of life. I believe that everyone chooses or finds their own purpose and it is up to them to do so and then fulfill that purpose. You can't tell me what I should do with my life, and I can't tell you either. You must decide for yourself.

 

[default]

I would say subjective rather than relative.

But not in an "we are just the imagination of ourselves" type context.

I think we are in fact real, Its just our knowledge, which is what defines us, is very much subjective, and with such the rules and laws that we think are incontrovertible are in actuality just waiting to be broken.

'I think, therefore I am?'

Yes, our identity and purpose are based on that we perceive ourselves as 'real'.

 

[Zakarath]

Well, its quite easy to make the case of everything being pointless by stating the fact that free will is an illusion and given sufficient knowledge and technology, the analyzation of a person's brain could yield the answers to how a person feels and reacts to given situations without even exposing them to such situations, so people are basically organic computers acting out their programming...

But such speculation doesn't really encourage me, so I tend to disregard it and say that life is what you make of it.

 

[OptimisticPessimist]

I don't think there is a collective "meaning" or "purpose" to life; at least not in the way people seem to hope. I think that every life does have value, though, and that value is as unique as the individual. So, we as people do not have some grand ultimate manifest destiny, but we all do work towards something. Collectively, all that effort has to ammount to something, so ultimately our purpose really is just to find out what the fuck our purpose is in the first place. Does that make sense?

 

[AK47Marine]

Yes the meaning is completely relative, we all have unique, completely different points of view to think we'd come to the same conclusion on the meaning of life or whatever is pretty much ludicrous.

 

[SimuLord]

Being religious myself, I answer to a higher power and tend to view my service to the gods as the single greatest unifying purpose in my life. So to me, it's not relative. It's absolute and guided by a moral and ethical code.

(but I'm not a preachy asshole, so you guys go on and do whatever makes you happy.)

 

[Fawful]

I don't know. Nobody knows, and until we have something more to go on than pure speculation it's a little bit pointless to keep asking this over and over.

 

[zehydra]

Basically it comes down to: do you view life as an end? or as part of something bigger?

 

[Ashcrexl]

I strongly believe we make our own purpose. For instance, my purpose is to make beautiful things for other people to enjoy, and to find love to share with others. To have as many exciting, unique and beautiful experiences as is possible on this earth... And browsing a forum isn't one of them, keep in mind

my issue with this is, why? of course since you exist, you might as well make other peoples life more tolerable, but why? so they can lead more happy lives? why? so they can improve someone else's life? why? so they can enjoy the shit out of their own life? why? so that you can die, rendering your entire existence of improving other people's lives and enjoying your own life pointless? why?

also, there so few interesting experiences in the world to soak up. if i live longer than 25 years, i will be very disappointed indeed.

 

[Dorian]

Life truly is meaningless and the most important thing in the world. All depends on how you look at it in the grand scheme of things.

On one hand, the only thing that alters the world is living things.

On the other hand, what does it matter if the world explodes? So? And if the galaxy is destroyed? So? And if the universe itself freezes over into oblivion, so what? There truly isn't a consequence to it.

Just depends if you view the glass as half-full or are nihilistic.

 

[Jedoro]

I believe there's a God and He has a greater purpose for us to work towards, but until He fills me in on the game plan I'll be sticking to mine.

 

[SL33TBL1ND]

I don't understand people who try to find meaning in life, stop wasting your time and live.

 

[Dags90]

I see no reason why it should need a purpose, nor do I see any benefit in my life having a purpose.

 

[HT_Black]

Well, let me put it this way. If you sat down and tried for the rest of your life to understand the nature of the universe, one of two things would happen. Either you would die in your, having gotten no closer to the answer you seek, and thus die having wasted your life; or you would have an epiphany and realize how the universe works--at which point you do this:



Existence is an incomparably vast and complex thing, and to stretch your mind beyond its limits is to invite a quick and unfufilling death. There are only so many things humans can comprehend, and the nature of the universe is not among that number.

So, in short: yeah, I guess.

 

[CrashBang]

I don't understand people who try to find meaning in life, stop wasting your time and live.

Exactly. I find all these philosophical questions about the meaning of life and how we perceive existence to be fascinating... to a point. I'm an atheist, I believe in no religions or superstitions and I just live. I'm not ignorant, I always want to find out more about us, our planet, etc but, more importantly, I just want to enjoy my life

As a side note, my mate once put forward to me the idea that nobody can prove that anything exists outside of what we can each see, hear, feel etc. We can't prove something exists until we feel it with our senses. That notion is pretty cool, I think