What is the purpose of life?

[Jazzy1]

What is the purpose of life? To make your own memories and to live your life how you wish, or to leave fond memories of yourself in the minds of others?

 

[bobcat]

In my view to believe that life has a purpose, it implies that you were created for a reason. If there was a creator, then the only way to know for certain would be to discover the reason from the source (Whether it be a deity, or your parents, or an alien civilization, or ???) Aside from that I would think the only "purpose" would be the one you give it.

 

[JustDave]

I doubt we've ever discussed this before. (Just kidding)

 

[Aunt Bea]

I tend to agree with @bobcat, I’m not so sure that there is a purpose to life or that there needs to be one.

I doubt that many people give much thought to the purpose of life when they are busy creating life.

If we leave the world a bit better than we found it that should be more than enough for one lifetime.

 

[hearlady]

Since our survival instinct is so strong then perhaps that is our purpose. To live within this matrix, wherever it takes us. Even though we may not know our purpose, one act can change the course of things for generations.

 

[fuzzybuddy]

For life to have a "purpose", that assumes there was a creator. But, it's just as probable that life "is" and the universe exists.

 

[Llynn]

To increase entropy, (My answer every time someone posts this same question.)

 

[MACKTEXAS]

"What is the purpose of life? To make your own memories and to live your life how you wish, or to leave fond memories of yourself in the minds of others?"

The OP question only presents two options, but I don't think the answer has to be an either/or choice, as long as "live your life how you wish" includes caring about the needs of others as well as your own.

 

[OregonGuy]

AI, quantum mechanics, neurology, and Buddisn are converging on the concept of cosmic consciousness; hence we exist as contributors to making the universe self aware.

 

[jujube]

Hopefully to leave the place in better shape than it was when you entered it.

 

[Knight]

I doubt that many people give much thought to the purpose of life when they are busy creating life.

Or just imitating the way it is done

 

[OldFeller]

I don't know about the purpose but there are lessons that life teaches you. So that might be a purpose. To learn what life is really about outside of yourself.

The number one lesson is acceptance. Don't rail against things you cannot control. At least if you want to find peace of mind.
Everything in life changes so don't try to hang on to things with the idea that you can't have things change.

People try to resist change out of fear of the unknown. The only way to get over the fear is to accept that change is essential for your personal growth.

 

[dusty]

There is no reason that any of us are here. The world was already a better place before we evolved. This beautiful plant has now, with the advent of man, been raped, plundered, trashed and held hostage for the good and convenience of man. Yet not one person or any group of people seem to be able to make a large enough difference to turn it around.

I am pretty happy I am as old as I am so I may be gone before I have to see the inevitable end of mankind and what has been created in his name.

 

[gruntlabor]

What is the purpose of life? To make your own memories and to live your life how you wish, or to leave fond memories of yourself in the minds of others?

Is there another choice?

 

[Ruthanne]

I think by all I've seen in my life it's about whatever the individual wants it to be. As for me it seems like it's a cruel joke at times and at many times

 

[Marcy Sheiner]

I've often believed if there is a purpose to life, it is to evolve. That just may be wishful thinking, I admit.

 

[Nathan]

What is the purpose of life?

As my Biology professor stated on the first day of class: "the only observable purpose of [in] Life is to reproduce".

 

[gruntlabor]

I've often believed if there is a purpose to life, it is to evolve. That just may be wishful thinking, I admit.

I agree with you, Marcy. I believe the objective purpose of life is to serve/contribute to evolution ie to procreate. And the subjective purpose is to thrive.

 

[Llynn]

As my Biology professor stated on the first day of class: "the only observable purpose of [in] Life is to reproduce".

I wish your prof had talked to the girls in my high school and college classes.

 

[Babs2u]

AI, quantum mechanics, neurology, and Buddisn are converging on the concept of cosmic consciousness; hence we exist as contributors to making the universe self aware.

From Thom Hartmann:
The Soul as Frequency: Could Consciousness Be a Field Outside the Brain?

 

[Marcy Sheiner]

I agree with you, Marcy. I believe the objective purpose of life is to serve/contribute to evolution ie to procreate. And the subjective purpose is to thrive.

I'm not quite sure about the procreation part, since we long outlive our ability to procreate.

 

[gruntlabor]

I'm not quite sure about the procreation part, since we long outlive our ability to procreate.

In the past, grandparents were needed at home and in the community while parents hunted/gathered/worked. The value of labor can't be overstated.

 

[LoveTulips]

Asking what is the purpose of life is for people who have too much time on their hands.

 

[JustDave]

Asking what is the purpose of life is for people who have too much time on their hands.

It would seem that most people make the time, including some of the classical philosophers. I dabbled in it, but it's no longer a high priority. The question itself is loaded, and I believe a logical fallacy. I think it's the one called begging the question, as it makes the unwarranted claim that life has a purpose, and then demands to know what that purpose would be. Who says there's a purpose?

Life is a chemical process involving the duplication of DNA. All those chemicals going about perpetuating life have no sense that they are doing something. They just react the way chemicals do. They cannot plan to evolve or create, and they have no agenda.

 

[bobcat]

Over the years, I have learned to view life with a more Darwinian perspective. Biological organisms evolve and just do what they do, and the ones who do things that ensure their survival for a subsequent generation will continue, providing they adapt to the current environment. Those who don't will die off. Procreation is built into that rule. I wouldn't call it a purpose, but it is a necessity.