The Meaning of Life - Is it happiness? (No, seriously) - General

Well, from my limited 20 years of experience in being a biological organism, so far I've been able to determine that the meaning of life is to procreate, but that's about it.

[QUOTE=Zenreon117;41893006]Who/What decides what conditions reality accepts as 'right'?[/QUOTE] Empiricism.

[QUOTE=sgman91;41899722]Uhh, a rock exists whether we think about it or not. Meaning isn't a necessary component of existence in a naturalistic worldview.[/QUOTE] I think you're misunderstanding me. What I mean is that a rock exists whether we think about it or not, but it is "useless" in our terms, so people don't care if it exists or not. If something has no meaning, it loses the point of existence (in a human mind).

there is no meaning to life outside of what you, yourself, constitute it as

I think you're speaking a whole load of BS if you ask me.

We would have to assume life lacks an important good if meaning can't be defined objectively so in this perspective, the mediocrity of life and it's discomforts can be heavily argued towards what little point there is for any future continuation of human existence if you could just as have no meaning from not being born, without being exposed to [b]any[/b] hardship of life, whilst also not acquiring the capacity for needing to be happy which is life's never-ending pursuit (or having behavioral traits that demand a thirst for meaning).

Meaning of life: "Life" usually means an object, substance or collection that has agency. Purpose of life: A life does not have a purpose unless an agent created it as an instrument for achieving a particular goal. Consequentially, life can only have a purpose if it was created by another life. The first life that ever existed had no purpose because there was nobody to create it.

Finding your own paradise.

If the survival of the fittest theory holds any Universal truth at all, the meaning of life is to pretty much survive long enough to conquer all life. This is also why I don't see why you people seem to think that the meaning of life is something personal, something individually (in)significant.

The meaning of life is so be morally excellent and be a virtuous person.

The meaning of life cannot possibly be happiness. Im pretty sure for example insects dont aim to be happy, they like anything else living just try to be alive as long as possible. Basically what im trying to say is that the meaning of life already by the sound of it means all life in general and there is no meaning in life its just something that happens when you have the right elements

The meaning of life is simply this; to ask questions and solve problems before your time here is over. Discover your own meaning; whether it be pleasure, success, or contentedness.

I personally believe the scientific reason for the meaning of life is merely to fornicate and duplicate; to become massive in size and "number 1". There's a reason that our bodies have quite large organs designed to replicate. What is the purpose of being widespread and "number 1"? No idea. The emotional meaning of life is totally different, as there is none. It is just what you make of it. For religions, the meaning of life is to "show off" how good of a person you are to 'god', to secure your place in the afterlife. For others, it may be to be well known, or to have loved and been loved, etc. There is no definite definition for the meaning of life, in my humble opinion.

Everyones life will end eventually, life has no meaning, you should just make the best of it while you can

Life, as I think about it, exists to continue to exist. To perpetuate its own existence. The meaning of life is to...keep life going, as it were. Life has to propagate, breed, and expand to keep from "failing". And in-turn, the meaning of life is happiness. Really, in the literal sense, each individuals happiness is an essential part of life. It's a motivation life created in a complex system, designed to keep life from ceasing to exist. Why do you think the orgasm lights up our pleasure center so much? Because it's purpose is for breeding, and it's a little incentive. So I guess what I'm saying is the meaning of life is to keep living, and keep living by working hard and being happy.

There is no meaning of life, but most people live to be happy.

[QUOTE=Midas22;41914982]The meaning of life is so be morally excellent and be a virtuous person.[/QUOTE] Hi Confucius, thought you died like 2000 years ago anyway as to the actual question, yes, happiness is effectively the meaning of life in as we are insignificant to the state of the universe, so what else is there really to ultimately strive for?

[QUOTE=Virtanen;41936694]Hi Confucius, thought you died like 2000 years ago anyway as to the actual question, yes, happiness is effectively the meaning of life in as we are insignificant to the state of the universe, so what else is there really to ultimately strive for?[/QUOTE] Just because something makes us happy does not make it right. The meaning of life might be the progression from is to ought

[QUOTE=Zenreon117;41936729]Just because something makes us happy does not make it right. The meaning of life might be the progression from is to ought[/QUOTE] how does this even pertain to my post?

[QUOTE=Virtanen;41936749]how does this even pertain to my post?[/QUOTE] You said [U][I]"yes, happiness is effectively the meaning of life in as -- what else is there really to ultimately strive for?"[/I][/U] and I said [i]morality[/i].

[QUOTE=Zenreon117;41936809]You said [U][I]"yes, happiness is effectively the meaning of life in as -- what else is there really to ultimately strive for?"[/I][/U] and I said [I]morality[/I].[/QUOTE] so if I say that striving for happiness is the meaning of life, that means I also think that it should be achieved without any morality? sorry but that's a really weird conclusion to jump to generally what morality tries to achieve is happiness through correct action, so I don't think one excludes the other

[QUOTE=Virtanen;41936836]so if I say that striving for happiness is the meaning of life, that means I also think that it should be achieved without any morality? sorry but that's a really weird conclusion to jump to generally what morality tries to achieve is happiness through correct action, so I don't think one excludes the other[/QUOTE] Morality includes happiness, but happiness does not necessarily have to include morality. Morality>Happiness

[QUOTE=Zenreon117;41936867]Morality includes happiness, but [b]happiness does not necessarily have to include morality.[/b] Morality>Happiness[/QUOTE] Generally it does. Most people do good things to each other because that makes them happy. There would be no morality without the happiness doing good induces.

[QUOTE=Virtanen;41936907]Generally it does. Most people do good things to each other because that makes them happy. There would be no morality without the happiness doing good induces.[/QUOTE] Really? What about when morality interferes with happiness? Lets say see a guy drop his wallet, or a beggar asks for a coin when you yourself only have two. Morality can lead to happiness but that is not the point and really THATS the point.

[QUOTE=Zenreon117;41937001]Really? What about when morality interferes with happiness? Lets say see a guy drop his wallet, or a beggar asks for a coin when you yourself only have two. Morality can lead to happiness but that is not the point and really THATS the point.[/QUOTE] How exactly does morality interfere with happiness in either of these scenarios? If a person genuinely finds more happiness in doing the wrong thing in either of these, he'd be in a really small majority. You might be confusing happiness with selfish material desires.

[QUOTE=Virtanen;41937048]How exactly does morality interfere with happiness in either of these scenarios? If a person genuinely finds more happiness in doing the wrong thing in either of these, he'd be in a really small majority.[/QUOTE] Yes and we are talking about what the meaning of life is, not the meaning of sociology. Because of that, even the small minority counts. [editline]23rd August 2013[/editline] A psychopath is happy when he is contantly killing. A dictator is only happy when he is the dictator. A rapist is only happy when he rapes. A banker is only happy when he is making tons of money. etc.

The meaning of life is to buck fitches. [highlight](User was banned for this post ("This is not debating" - Megafan))[/highlight]

If we were to put a general definition on the meaning of life for all life then it would be to make a generation of your genes to be passed down throughout time. Each generation getting better and better. The "transpiration" of this definition to your mind actuates a certain aspect of the thought that would catch us off guard as to what we should do then with our lives if not make a family for the future, but it is as it is. Do not worry though. With the general aspect in mind let us put a twist on it to contribute a meaning as to humans in our own modern senses. In a world of evolving ideas and technology, where everyone lives better than the previous generation, that is where the meaning of life is. Sharing and the creation of new ideas to better survive the human species. That is what makes us different than a regular animal. We live on the mentality that we can make the world better for others, that we can change how people think and live. Using the thoughts of our ancestors we create our own to accommodate the ever-changing world around us. This is the meaning of life to me. The evolution of society and ideas as a whole. The mixing pot of all mental minds to make our future a better place. With this comes the lessons of life to sharpen your understanding of the past and even your own lessons you might have learned on the road so even then you can contribute to the future of mankind. To answer the question of the thread title, happiness is a selfish goal on life to make it as a meaning to only use your life to make yourself happy. Its path brings you to the exact opposite of what the meaning of life is under the definition I have stated.

There is no real 'meaning to life' Only 2 things are certain, Birth and Death. Perhaps the meaning is to die as that is what everything does in the end.

Depends, You follow Sartre shit? Fine, life has no meaning, we construct our meaning and we can do anything we want You follow Camus shit? Fine, life has no meaning, BUT, we HAVE TO fight against the mystery evil is and always seek good You follow any other Christian or creationist inspired thought (Basically, everything up until 1900, yes that also means the French Enlightenment)? Fine, life has meaning. Good luck finding it. Morality brings happiness. When placing happiness upon morality, destruction and whatever is worse on the long term ensues. You might be momentarily angry for not killing that guy who crashed you car, but check the net result in the long term... First, we have to define what is happiness. Then we can keep talking.