To those who need no purpose in life

by gumby 80 Replies latest jw friends

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  Frenchy

  Seeker:
  ::: Wishing does not make it so. :::

  Understood and agreed upon.

  ::: The evolutionary explanation, while not accepted by all, does provide a logically-consistent explanation for this issue.:::

  Can’t agree there. I understand about preservation of the species and I think that the instincts that animals have (as well as the instincts that we have) serve that purpose well. The ability to contemplate one’s own inevitable death, however, is in no way connected with the preservation of the species. The ability to contemplate one’s future, inevitable demise serves no useful purpose as far as the continuation of the species is concerned.
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  Seeker

  The ability to contemplate one’s own inevitable death, however, is in no way connected with the preservation of the species. The ability to contemplate one’s future, inevitable demise serves no useful purpose as far as the continuation of the species is concerned.

  No, but as I said, that's merely the side-effect, the down side, to an enhanced ability humans have that absolutely does help to perpetuate the species. It is incredibly advantageous to us to have the ability to project into the future, and to anticipate what will yet come. Much of our planning is based on this ability. It just so happens that what comes with it is an unpleasant side-effect. On balance, however, it's worth this side-effect for all the good that also comes with this ability.

  That's why I said it is logically-consistent from an evolutionary perspective.
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  Frenchy

  One would have to first accept the notion that this ability is a 'side-effect' before viewing it as "logically-consistent from an evolutionary perspective." One could only accept this notion if one first accepted the evolutionary perspective. Round and round she goes...
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  Seeker

  Well, of course. I did preface my words by stating this was the evolutionary explanation. If you accept evolution, there is an answer to your question. On the other hand, if you believe God is behind everything, including perhaps the beginning of the evolutionary process, then you have ready-made explanations for the purpose of life, and no need to ask the question in the first place.
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  Frenchy

  The belief in God in no way gives the answer to the purpose of life and what this entire experience of ours is about. The profusion of religions as well as the endless personal opinions is witness to that.
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  Seeker

  OK, fair enough, I'll take that back. In any case, from my personal experience, my lack of needing a purpose to life is a direct result of evolutionary thought. To those whose experience varies, I wish the best on your journey. But I have explanined why I have the viewpoint I do, and why I'm fine with it.
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  Frenchy

  Seeker:
  I thank you for your comments and your opinions. I really do welcome views that differ from my own. I truly believe the following:
  In the absence of knowledge, the ridicule of another's speculation is somewhat ridiculous.The French Knight
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  forgetmenot

  My question is, what do you mean by "purpose"? Are we looking for a purpose to life as a physical reward in the end. EX: You need to live this life the best you can because then you will get into paradise/heaven (physical reward.) Or are with talking about a living just because it makes other people happy? EX: We give children presents not because of the present but because we love seeing their happy little faces?

  Or am I mistaking purpose with outcome?
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  Frenchy

  Forgetmenot:
  I am going by the premise that ‘purpose OF life’ is not the same as finding a purpose IN life. Some here seem to feel that the two are synonymous. I look at that phrase as signifying an intent FOR life, an aim, goal, a reason for it’s being, an end in mind as opposed to it being the result of some cosmic accident. A purpose would necessarily involve an intelligent creator. Intent cannot be attributed to an accident since by very definition an accident is not by design and therefore has no purpose in view.
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  D wiltshire

  Frenchy,

  You are a smart cookie, I think Jesus said to keep on searching and you will find.
  But don't let anyone get you to cut short the search.

  Good point:

  A purpose would necessarily involve an intelligent creator. Intent cannot be attributed to an accident since by very definition an accident is not by design and therefore has no purpose in view.

  Don't settle on the purposeless.

  If someone lived a trillion X longer than you, and had a billion X more reasoning ability would he come to the same conclusions as you?