Purpose

[Pauliesonne]

I remember reading in the Radio Times earlier this year, Jeremy Paxman speaking to Sir ( the icon, himself ) David Attenborough.

When he was asked if there was a purpose in life, he made it abundantly clear that there was none.

Now he didn't say why.

So I'm curious about your views on a "purpose in life".

[Robin]

I remember reading in the Radio Times earlier this year, Jeremy Paxman speaking to Sir ( the icon, himself ) David Attenborough.

When he was asked if there was a purpose in life, he made it abundantly clear that there was none.

Now he didn't say why.

So I'm curious about your views on a "purpose in life".
Various Theists tell me that without God life has no purpose.

But none are able to tell me the purpose of life in the event that God does exist.

[Meadmaker]

I think it's important to live as if there was one. If you are wrong, you've lost nothing.

[Robin]

I think it's important to live as if there was one. If you are wrong, you've lost nothing.
Except the opportunity to create your own purpose.

[CurtC]

I think it's important to live as if there was one. If you are wrong, you've lost nothing.
I have no idea what this means.

we have much to fear from those who do not believe in sin.Isn't sin an inherently religious concept? I don't believe in God, therefore I don't believe in sin. Am I dangerous?

[MattusMaximus]

I make my own purpose... no deities required. The universe sure doesn't give a damn about me, so I'm not going to wait around for it to "give" me any purpose.

[Gate2501]

My purpose is to die an old man in a VR helmet with an IV drip of Mtn. Dew PvPing in a future MMORPG.

[Undesired Walrus]

I remember reading in the Radio Times earlier this year, Jeremy Paxman speaking to Sir ( the icon, himself ) David Attenborough.

When he was asked if there was a purpose in life, he made it abundantly clear that there was none.

Now he didn't say why.

So I'm curious about your views on a "purpose in life".

If you are talking about the purpose 'given' by a God, then I always reply with the following:

What's the non-scientific purpose of thunder?

At best it is superfluous, at worst idiotic.

[rocketdodger]

My purpose is to die an old man in a VR helmet with an IV drip of Mtn. Dew PvPing in a future MMORPG.

....Awesome.

[devnull]

I think it boils down to those who require the feeling that someone/something bigger is watching over them (a father figure if you will) and those who are able to brave the cold universe without such a thing.

Personally Im happy just to be a life-form on this rock in the middle of nowhere. My 'purpose' I guess is to ensure the continued existence of my genes, for what theyre worth, and maybe to just enjoy the trip as much as possible without making anyone else unhappy.

[wollery]

My purpose in life is to earn money, have fun and procreate.

The basic purpose (for want of a better word) of any lifeform is to flourish and propagate the species.

[Complexity]

There is none.

I make up my own.

There still is none.

[The Atheist]

I remember reading in the Radio Times earlier this year, Jeremy Paxman speaking to Sir ( the icon, himself ) David Attenborough.

When he was asked if there was a purpose in life, he made it abundantly clear that there was none.

Smart bloke.

Now he didn't say why.

So I'm curious about your views on a "purpose in life".

I think you'll find Attenborough was referring to "no purpose" as in, his life is as random as the weather - out of 20 million sperm, only one created each of us, and if that poor sucker who got there second hadn't stopped for a beer, we'd all be entirely different people. Similar, as is a brother, but different.

As is a brother!

On that, I agree with him entirely. Monty Python even made a rather excellent film about the meaning of life.

There isn't one - life's what you make it. There should only be one rule:

You're gonna be dead a lot longer than you're alive - make the most of it.

[Furi]

My purpose is to die an old man in a VR helmet with an IV drip of Mtn. Dew PvPing in a future MMORPG.

I want full immersion, Creative Labs Groin Blaster 6, and the beta drivers for DirectCortical 18. Live dangerously use MS Beta drivers for your neural shunt, Spam direct to your brain (Spraintm).

My main purpose in life is to provide my kitteh overlords with food, comfort, entertainment, and fresh litter.

other than that my porpoise in loife, is to live it, love it and enjoy it, and try and consume the worlds ethanol stocks, and get as much manic monkey, kinky kitty and sexy skwyrl sex as I can get. who knows I might even procreate (if any little willing bunnyfluffs out there we could practice making cabbits)

[wollery]

I want full immersion, Creative Labs Groin Blaster 6, and the beta drivers for DirectCortical 18. Live dangerously use MS Beta drivers for your neural shunt, Spam direct to your brain (Spraintm).

My main purpose in life is to provide my kitteh overlords with food, comfort, entertainment, and fresh litter.

other than that my porpoise in loife, is to live it, love it and enjoy it, and try and consume the worlds ethanol stocks, and get as much manic monkey, kinky kitty and sexy skwyrl sex as I can get. who knows I might even procreate (if any little willing bunnyfluffs out there we could practice making cabbits)Looks like you're doing pretty well on the ethanol consumption front. :boggled:

[Furi]

Looks like you're doing pretty well on the ethanol consumption front. :boggled:

I try my best, the problem is that I am completely sober at the moment :eek:, now if only I could get a job that I could combine Ethanol to Water bio-processing and that paid a reasonable wage.

or failing that I would like to find a job that pays a reasonable wage or even a living wage.

[Meadmaker]

Except the opportunity to create your own purpose.
I certainly have no problem with that.

[Robin]

I certainly have no problem with that.

Do you mean you have no problem creating your own purpose, or no problem with not having the opportunity to create your own purpose?

[Worm]

My purpose comes from a Bruce Springsteen quote.

"In the end, nobody wins unless everybody wins"

Yes I am that pathetic.

[Showmeproof]

My purpose in life is to get my PhD, have as much sex as possible without contracting an STD and then die. Whatever else happens is going to happen. Im here just for the ride!

[Beerina]

I remember reading in the Radio Times earlier this year, Jeremy Paxman speaking to Sir ( the icon, himself ) David Attenborough.

When he was asked if there was a purpose in life, he made it abundantly clear that there was none.

Now he didn't say why.

So I'm curious about your views on a "purpose in life".

Before I read other responses, I'd like to point out that the burden of proof is on those claiming there is a purpose in life.

And we will, for now, consider that as being a cosmically special purpose, as opposed to a mundane, self-derived purpose like "staying alive because I'm driven to eat".

The latter is, of course, the only "real" thing that would exist. We create a purpose in the mundane sense.

I would also like to add that even a cosmically special purpose, ala religion, is really just a mundane purpose commanded by some superpowered entity. I would no longer derive any feeling of specialness were a god to exist, and demand my purpose is to Get Into Heaven or Help The Poor or Live a Good Life.

[arthwollipot]

I've always been a little confused about why people feel that they need to have "purpose" in life. I don't feel that need. I don't feel the need to acknowledge something greater than I am, I don't feel disappointed or depressed at the thought of being a random collection of molecules brought together by chance and biology. I don't feel any need to have any kind of greater good to work towards, and I don't understand the people who do. What's wrong with just being?

[Bikewer]

I second arthwollipot's position. Why do we need a "purpose"? If one felt that he must "accomplish" something in life, then pick a goal and charge. Have fun. Feed the hungry, build a pyramid...Whatever turns you on.

I just built a cigar-box guitar. It sounds good.

[Meadmaker]

Do you mean you have no problem creating your own purpose, or no problem with not having the opportunity to create your own purpose?

I meant that I think everyone should create a purpose, or at least attempt to discover one.

I don't think the purpose of life needs to be some great, epic, affair, and it certainly doesn't have to be to follow some external purpose (i.e. "praising God" or some such affair.) Building a box guitar is a really cool purpose, especially if you play it and bring joy to yourself and others.

[Pauliesonne]

Maybe the purpose is to look for a purpose.

[The Atheist]

Maybe the purpose is to look for a purpose.

Yep. You'll find that at your local church. They can explain the purpose in three little words:

God did it.

[Jimbo07]

My purpose in life is to get my PhD, have as much sex as possible

A big part of not going to grad school was that I was told these two goals are mutually exclusive!

:D

[wollery]

A big part of not going to grad school was that I was told these two goals are mutually exclusive!

:DWhoever told you that lied. ;)

[Mashuna]

My purpose in life was to find a porpoise.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/insideout/content/images/2007/10/22/harbour_porpoise_pa470_470x303.jpg

[Beerina]

My purpose is to die an old man in a VR helmet with an IV drip of Mtn. Dew PvPing in a future MMORPG.

I have a similar desire, except it's PvPing in a future MSORPG. I'll let you guess what the S stands for. :)


Here's a hint:

Preferrably as a S-slave to Mistress Bullock, who trades me around to her friends, Mistresses Jolie, Alba, Hathaway, and Lopez, where I am forced, forced to do things to them. Degrading things. Things that make me feel truly filthy.

[JenseitsDavon]

I was going to post something all serious and whatever . . .

. . . . and then I read Beerina's post and decided I liked that idea better. Seconded! Although I might change a couple of the names. :P

[Showmeproof]

A big part of not going to grad school was that I was told these two goals are mutually exclusive!

:D

LOL.....That is because you have not mastered the art of a new technique called "sexual studying." It involves sex and studying at the same time.

[Showmeproof]

I have a similar desire, except it's PvPing in a future MSORPG. I'll let you guess what the S stands for. :)


Here's a hint:

Preferrably as a S-slave to Mistress Bullock, who trades me around to her friends, Mistresses Jolie, Alba, Hathaway, and Lopez, where I am forced, forced to do things to them. Degrading things. Things that make me feel truly filthy.

Yeah forgot scarlett johannson :)

[DrBaltar]

My goals in my life are my purpose.

As for a universal purpose, it's like Sagan said... "We are a way for the universe to know itself."

[CurtC]

A special purpose? Didn't Navin Johnson (Steve Martin) have one of those in The Jerk?

Navin R. Johnson - random son of a bitch.