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What is the meaning of life?

Started by programwizard Oct 25, 2005 at 4:48 PM 550 replies 109.3k views

Original Post

Oct 25, 2005 at 4:48 PM

I recently saw the episode of Everybody Loves Raymond where Allie asks Ray why God has put us on Earth, and this sparks a huge disscussion on what the meaning of life is. At first I dissmissed it as a funny little episode (and it was funny), but the more I thought about it, I started to take it seriously; what is the meaning of life? Why do I get up, go to school, come home, and then work on my games? Some people would say it's because being a hobo sucks, but I want something more. After several (serious) meditation sessions, I came upon the conclusion that the meaning of life is to fight evil. If you think about it, every "good" thing in life breeds happiness, which repels sorrow, which is just another derrivitive of evil. However, my logic may be flawed, and I would love to get your opinions. And please, no stupid answers (i.e. the meaning of life is to score with hot chicks). Shoot.

stylin

Oct 25, 2005 at 4:51 PM

Hmmm ... the meaning of my life is to be happy. Plain and simple.

load_bitmap_file

Oct 25, 2005 at 4:51 PM

According to my friend, the meaning of life is to delay the inevitable.

jfclavette

138

jfclavette

Oct 25, 2005 at 4:53 PM

Have fun while it last. If there's an after-life, there'll be time enough to ask yourself the question there. If there isn't, well no one cares about the answer anyway.

GreenToad

Oct 25, 2005 at 4:53 PM

The "fighting evil" theory runs into problems when it comes to defining what is good and what is evil.

Personally, I think there is no single all encompassing answer to the meaning of life. I think life has as much meaning as you give it. My purpose in life is to continue living and to have fun doing it, and that's good enough for me.

SticksandStones

105

SticksandStones

Oct 25, 2005 at 4:54 PM

To do as much as you can before you die.

Gametaku

Oct 25, 2005 at 4:55 PM

Hedos

113

Hedos

Oct 25, 2005 at 4:58 PM

Life has no meaning.
You can define a meaning which suits you, but that's as far as it'll go, it is completely subjective.

kryat

Oct 25, 2005 at 4:58 PM

Quote:
Hogarth Hughes: I know you feel bad about the deer, but it's not your fault. Things die. That's part of life. It's bad to kill, but it's not bad to die.
The Iron Giant: You die?
Hogarth Hughes: Well, yes, someday.
The Iron Giant: I die?
Hogarth Hughes: I don't know. You're made of metal, but you have feelings, and you think about things, and that means you have a soul. And souls don't die.
The Iron Giant: Soul?
Hogarth Hughes: Mom says it's something inside of all good things, and that it goes on forever and ever.
[Hogarth leaves. The Iron Giant lays back to look at the stars]
The Iron Giant: Souls don't die.

eedok

192

eedok

Oct 25, 2005 at 5:03 PM

c'mon now

LessBread

558

LessBread

Oct 25, 2005 at 5:04 PM

The "Meaning of Life" was a popular Monty Python movie released in the early 1980's. It featured memorable songs like "Every Sperm is Sacred" as well as a host of skits concerning this most serious of questions.

Phineas

Oct 25, 2005 at 5:04 PM

Quote:
Original post by programwizard
I came upon the conclusion that the meaning of life is to fight evil. If you think about it, every "good" thing in life breeds happiness, which repels sorrow, which is just another derrivitive of evil.

If what is good breeds happiness, and what is bad must be eliminated, how do we know which wordly things are good and which are bad? More specifically, what is something good? Is it a raise, a new car, or, even, a long period of time set aside for working on your game? What is something bad? Is it a terrorist, outsourcing, or EA games? Would you say these things are good and bad?

programwizard

Author

programwizard

Oct 25, 2005 at 5:06 PM

I still have trouble believing that the meaning of life is to just have fun with it; after all, if Heaven is the most perfect place in the universe, why didn't God just keep all souls up there instead of sending them down into these bodies, however short a time period it may be for? If you were in a place that was perfect, I think it would be pretty fun.

Eelco

237

Eelco

Oct 25, 2005 at 5:07 PM

Quote:
Original post by programwizard
And please, no stupid answers (i.e. the meaning of life is to score with hot chicks). Shoot.

ironically, thats quite close to the truth.

the meaning of life can simply be derived from its definition: definition: it multiplies -> meaning: multiplication.

ofcource you are free to step away from that definition and its implication, either by killing yourself or otherwise just not multiplying, and redefine the meaning of your life. it is quite pointless though.

spacemonkeystudios

Oct 25, 2005 at 5:09 PM

42

(Goddamn, beaten to it by miles...)

programwizard

Author

programwizard

Oct 25, 2005 at 5:10 PM

Quote:
Original post by Phineas

If what is good breeds happiness, and what is bad must be eliminated, how do we know which wordly things are good and which are bad? More specifically, what is something good? Is it a raise, a new car, or, even, a long period of time set aside for working on your game? What is something bad? Is it a terrorist, outsourcing, or EA games? Would you say these things are good and bad?

I would define good things as things that bring happiness without taking it away at the same time, and evil things as things that either take away happiness, or give it, but take some away from another place at the same time.

Instruo

Oct 25, 2005 at 5:11 PM

Though I know that there are some on here that would disagree, I believe there is a clearly defined purpose for human life. One of the greatest things I've learned in the process since becoming a Christian is that God does indeed have a plan and a desire for our lives. This may not be the popular opinion, and undoubtedly some people will completely disregard or become inflamed by me simply using the "C" or "G" words, but this is the Truth as I've lived it. Anyone willing to look into this more should check out this link; it's some sample chapters from one of my personal favorite book about learning the live the Christian "Purpose Driven Life". Enjoy!

programwizard

Author

programwizard

Oct 25, 2005 at 5:12 PM

Quote:
Original post by spacemonkeystudios
42

OT: Haven't seen that movie yet, but I want to :). Back OT.

Mage2k

Oct 25, 2005 at 5:12 PM

Quote:
Original post by LessBread
The "Meaning of Life" was a popular Monty Python movie released in the early 1980's. It featured memorable songs like "Every Sperm is Sacred" as well as a host of skits concerning this most serious of questions.

Wasn't that the one with the skit about the teacher (John Cleese, I believe) who, for sex-ed, brings in his wife for a live demonstration for the class? That was freakin' hilarious.

Mage2k

Eelco

237

Eelco

Oct 25, 2005 at 5:14 PM

Quote:
Original post by Mage2k
Quote:
Original post by LessBread
The "Meaning of Life" was a popular Monty Python movie released in the early 1980's. It featured memorable songs like "Every Sperm is Sacred" as well as a host of skits concerning this most serious of questions.
Wasn't that the one with the skit about the teacher (John Cleese, I believe) who, for sex-ed, brings in his wife for a live demonstration for the class? That was freakin' hilarious.

Mage2k

yes

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