What's the point of living if everything we do is just going to be insignificant in the grand scheme of the universe? (Locked) (locked)

Life is an accident yet we try to justify it throughout our whole existence. We give ourselves small or big goals and attempt to reach them. In the end, nothing matters so a better question to ask isn’t “why?” but “why not?”. Life is the only thing we have, all we can do is live it.

You are way too young to be disillusioned.

1.) There is either relative significance, absolute significance or both to be taken into consideration
2.) Absolute significance is philosophically undefined
3.) Relative significance is the only meaningful state of analysis
4.) The referential context applicable to relative significance is intersubjective dualism: the meaningfulness of how our actions affect one another in a given set of circumstances according to shared perception
5.) The grand scheme of the universe lies outside the domain of point 4
6.) Therefore, it follows that we can still be meaningful given the fact of your a priori assertion
7.) Thus, there’s still a purpose in living

Originally posted by MadJedi:

Life is an accident yet we try to justify it throughout our whole existence. We give ourselves small or big goals and attempt to reach them. In the end, nothing matters so a better question to ask isn’t “why?” but “why not?”. Life is the only thing we have, all we can do is live it.

But what makes living it superior to not living it? How can we objectively establish living as better than not-living?

But what makes living it superior to not living it? How can we objectively establish living as better than not-living?

Since purpose isn’t a predetermined thing, a sentient being must define it. In this case, the sentient being is the human. “Better” or “worse” are subjective concepts which only can be determined by a sentient entity, which is why there’s no objective answer to life’s purpose.

Originally posted by LukeMann:

Originally posted by MadJedi:

Life is an accident yet we try to justify it throughout our whole existence. We give ourselves small or big goals and attempt to reach them. In the end, nothing matters so a better question to ask isn’t “why?” but “why not?”. Life is the only thing we have, all we can do is live it.

But what makes living it superior to not living it? How can we objectively establish living as better than not-living?

But… but “better” is a subjective state! You’re just saying living is objectively subjectively different from non-living

There is a natural order to the Universe, and though we are small in the grand scheme of it all, we are a part of it. What role we play is indeterminate, but you are concious of your existence and that has to mean something.

Since purpose isn’t a predetermined thing, a sentient being must define it. In this case, the sentient being is the human. “Better” or “worse” are subjective concepts which only can be defined by a sentient entity, which is why there’s no objective answer to life’s purpose.

So if one were to kill one’s self, that would be seen as a neutral action? It seems that comparing life vs. non-life is a subjective analysis. But then should society’s more common analysis take action over the individual’s?

Originally posted by Zshadow:

There is a natural order to the Universe, and though we are small in the grand scheme of it all, we are a part of it. What role we play is indeterminate, but you are concious of your existence and that has to mean something.

Why must we be conscious of our own existence? Is a bacteria aware? How about an insect? Where is the line drawn?

And don’t even get me started on sentience; Thermostats are slightly sentient.

Who cares about the grand scheme of the universe? Everyone knows earth is the only inhabited planet so everything we do is pretty important and absolutely unique.

Originally posted by pink_princess:

Who cares about the grand scheme of the universe? Everyone knows earth is the only inhabited planet so everything we do is pretty important and absolutely unique.

I’m sensing sarcasm; if so, can you please explain further or rephrase your post to not make such heavy use of sarcasm?

So if one were to kill one’s self, that would be seen as a neutral action? It seems that comparing life vs. non-life is a subjective analysis. But then should society’s more common analysis take action over the individual’s?

His/her actions would influence other individuals in various ways since emotional and material resources were invested into the person. Although morality is subjective, it serves a primordial purpose which is to facilitate cohesion of individuals in a group. Without morality to guide beliefs and actions, living in society would be impossible. Basically, yes, many concepts in a society are subjective but it doesn’t make them any less valid since they have a certain practical purpose. Why would we need society at all? Life strives towards continuing its biochemical processes, which is why it naturally tries to do anything to increase chances of survival. In man’s case, society and concepts linked are tools to facilitate survival.

Originally posted by LukeMann:

Originally posted by pink_princess:

Who cares about the grand scheme of the universe? Everyone knows earth is the only inhabited planet so everything we do is pretty important and absolutely unique.

I’m sensing sarcasm; if so, can you please explain further or rephrase your post to not make such heavy use of sarcasm?

No sarcasm.
Fact: Earth is the only inhabited planet.
Fact: Everything we do is important and unique.

Originally posted by pink_princess:

Originally posted by LukeMann:

Originally posted by pink_princess:

Who cares about the grand scheme of the universe? Everyone knows earth is the only inhabited planet so everything we do is pretty important and absolutely unique.

I’m sensing sarcasm; if so, can you please explain further or rephrase your post to not make such heavy use of sarcasm?

No sarcasm.
Fact: Earth is the only inhabited planet.
Fact: Everything we do is important and unique.

Proof?

Originally posted by pink_princess:

Originally posted by LukeMann:

Originally posted by pink_princess:

Who cares about the grand scheme of the universe? Everyone knows earth is the only inhabited planet so everything we do is pretty important and absolutely unique.

I’m sensing sarcasm; if so, can you please explain further or rephrase your post to not make such heavy use of sarcasm?

No sarcasm.
Fact: Earth is the only inhabited planet.
Fact: Everything we do is important and unique.

Earth is the only confirmed inhabited planet.

Although wasn’t there bacteria found on mars?

No sarcasm.
Fact: Earth is the only inhabited planet.
Fact: Everything we do is important and unique.

Stop being rude; I’m trying to keep this a thread where we can have upfront discussions. Please respect my wishes.

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In man’s case, society and concepts linked with it are necessary for his survival.

It makes me curious; do other species have thoughts like I outlined in my original post, or are humans unique in our ability to have existential crises?

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Although wasn’t there bacteria found on mars?

No, we found something that might have been bacteria long ago, but there was never anything conclusive and it was mostly accepted as being a false positive. But hopefully Curiosity will find evidence of life being on Mars at one time in the past!

Fact: Earth is the only inhabited planet.

Pretty sure there are many others. Scientists have stated that if the universe is expanded enough, there could be an exact copy of you somewhere else. That means there’s already a big chance of living things being out in space.

When I was in grade school, almost everyone except me thought Earth is the only planet with life on it. I don’t know why people think that’s true when the universe is so magnificent in size.

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Anyways, to the topic. I think my life is really grey. Sometimes I question my existence and what I’m capable of doing later on in my life. I like to believe in reincarnation. Like a game, after you beat it, you start again with a better environment.

It passes the time.

This is the end of those who believe that everything, including life, was created from an accident. Fun, isn’t it?

When I was in grade school, almost everyone except me thought Earth is the only planet with life on it. I don’t know why people think that’s true when the universe is so magnificent in size.

Because we have a sample size of 9, and that is not enough to glean any meaningful statistics.

Originally posted by FlyingPachyderm:

This is the end of those who believe that everything, including life, was created from an accident. Fun, isn’t it?

1) Get your shitty religious debates outa here.
2) I’m a Christian. Let me repeat what I stated earlier; get your shitty religious debates outa here.

You are way too young to be disillusioned.

Nobody’s too young to be disillusioned once they can start thinking about philosophy.

People, people, why do you think life is useless? God created us each for a specific purpose, not on accident. Every living thing has purpose, and that includes all of us. You have a purpose, but it’s not always going to be easy figuring it out. You have to work at it. Don’t give up on yourselves so quickly. ive life, have fun, make good decisions, eventually, you will discover your purpose, then take that purpose and use it to improve the world and yourself.

There’s absolutely no point at all in life.
We are extremely insignificant in the face of a universe that shall eventually die.
Unless we find some way to jump to other universes, every memory of us, everything we ever did, shall be wiped away when the suns die.
In time, a new universe may form, and who knows, we might be in it. Such mysteries are fun to ponder, but ultimately pointless.
The only solace in living is for the religious: the only comfort in living is that you are alive.

Perhaps. Ultimately, most people turn to religion as another way to cope. I did it once ago, but I found fulfillment from a source I did not expect.

Originally posted by 1132:

There’s absolutely no point at all in life.
We are extremely insignificant in the face of a universe that shall eventually die.
Unless we find some way to jump to other universes, every memory of us, everything we ever did, shall be wiped away when the suns die.
In time, a new universe may form, and who knows, we might be in it. Such mysteries are fun to ponder, but ultimately pointless.
The only solace in living is for the religious: the only comfort in living is that you are alive.

That’s not how the world will end. And that’s where I’ll stop, lest I start a religious fight.

Did I accidentally click SD again? O.o

Originally posted by Darkscanner:

Did I accidentally click SD again? O.o

Seems so.