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[DCD]

There is of course a school of thought saying the purpose of existence is to try to learn the purpose of existence. So you got that going for you.


Beyond that, have you ever known a couple where one or more persons defined themselves entirely by that relationship? They have nothing to bring to togetherness except for geographical togetherness. And when that couple splits people talk about how they're nothing without her/him?

Basically I think a greater meaning is beside the point if you don't learn to be a good, happy person on your own. Faith is fine but you have to bring something...a character...to the relationship, or it will be hollow and you either spend your time feeling for the bottom or shutting down whenever you have a thought contrary to doctrine. You'll hear Christian pastors preaching this too, by the way...

At the same time too many people gaze into the infinite for answers and meaning while people starve less than a mile away. I say if you want to find a reason for existence get out of your own head, cut out the supposition. Might I suggest donating some old clothes, toys, or tapes to your local battered women and children shelter? The Salvation Army runs a lot of those, try them out.

[jpj420]

I truly believe the purpose of life is to enjoy yourself.

[Nobhead]

I don't think its possible to try and atribute a meaning to life. If you think about it we only really define an acomplishment by what we feel when we get a positive result out of something.

If you share the view that we are just biomechanical machines acting upon instincts then i think that the only way to live your life is to the follow the illusion of acomplishment.

Most people do this without noticing; they get a better job, a partner or meet new people. I think just because your aware that your life doesnt have a meaning in the sense that you will affect the universe is some grand scheme of things, doesn't  also mean that you have no reason to live.

Unfortunatly you just have to accept the 'illusion' and try to live your life attempting to try and feel some acomplishment or acheivement. I think this is where the philosophy that the meaning to life is happiness also stems.

[AngelCleric]

I agree with everyone here saying that the purpose of your life is entirely subjective, nobody will tell you what your purpose is.

Then again, what I seek in life is happiness. The purpose of my life is to find what I seek in life.

[SpaceBees]

I truly believe the purpose of life is to enjoy yourself.

I've been saying this for years. Not so much "the purpose", because, as has been said, I don't think there is a purpose. Stuff just happened, over billions of years, and now here we are. There isn't an alternative to existing, so while I'm here I might as well have a good time. There are a lot of things in my life that I'm depressed about.. I've been having a really rough time lately wondering if there's any point to go on. But I do, because it's what I know. Being upset doesn't get me what I want, so I keep doing things I like and laughing at things that are funny. There IS no real point to living, so I might as well just live, and be happy when I can.

[BrundleFly]

I truly believe the purpose of life is to enjoy yourself.

I've been saying this for years. Not so much "the purpose", because, as has been said, I don't think there is a purpose. Stuff just happened, over billions of years, and now here we are. There isn't an alternative to existing, so while I'm here I might as well have a good time. There are a lot of things in my life that I'm depressed about.. I've been having a really rough time lately wondering if there's any point to go on. But I do, because it's what I know. Being upset doesn't get me what I want, so I keep doing things I like and laughing at things that are funny. There IS no real point to living, so I might as well just live, and be happy when I can.

Agreed. Life may not have a purpose, but worrying about it and searching for the answers won't make life any better. Chances are we'll never know the true purpose for our existance, chances are we're just here by accident.
I definately wouldn't say I'm a happy person, depression runs in my Mum's side of the family, and insomnia and anxiety run in my Dad's, so I've got a good case of both, but I can find endless joy in spending time with my friends, reading, joking, laughing and helping other people. That, in my mind, is the meaning behind MY existance.

[Joe Green]

Finding a purpose to existence is something i at one point was vurtually obsessed with. Look at my tagline for fucks sake.

I couldn't understand why we all just live the same pathetic existence going to work to earn enough money to buy food, heat, water and the sweet sweet taste of 17 beers a night.

It was after thinking alot that i realised. Why does it have to have a purpose? Right now, i'm eating a sandwich and i'm not even hungry. I'm eating it because i want to and i just happened to have the shit i needed to make it. We're alive becuase we just happened and we do actually serve a small purpose.

Maybe we are here to observe our universe. wouldn't it be a shame if the universe existed without life? would it even exist if their was no life to see it? probably but their wouldn't be anyone to commit suicide after feeling a bit pointless now would their?

[mJCa]

Well, this Ancient Greek philosopher(I forgot his name) said that he doesn't exist. not even you, or me, or your mum.

Though I reckon something exists because it wants to exist. And Life cannot exist is something exists will support it's existence.


 And most of all, Don't worry too much about existence of something, for christ's sake. The important thing is we exist, and so long as we exist, CRACKED.com exists.


  Amen.

[Adastophilis]

I don't even understand how it is possible to say that there is a "purpose to existence."  Even if you believe there is an all-powerful god who wants you to be a good person and, if you are, you will live for all eternity - that doesn't mean that your purpose is to obey that god's rules.  If you obey those rules, then it is to achieve some end - whether that is just to please God, to help others, or to live forever in paradise, therefore it doesn't make sense to say that your "purpose" was to obey God's rules.

I, for one, can't even imagine a possibility where there would be a "purpose to existence."  Can anybody?  Or are we all just persisting in our agreement that the only purpose you can have is one that you have to come up with yourself?

[Joe Green]

think about it. In the entire billions of years history of the universe you are unimportant but  For one little blink of an eye a tiny few atoms have collected together to form you. You should make the most before your gone. Regardless of your purpose.

[DoesYrFaceHurt?]

A day hasn't gone by since my oldest son died in which I haven't at least once wished I was dead.  (I am not actively suicidal.  I'm just in a lot of pain.)  I keep going because there are a lot of people who depend on me.  People whose lives would be worse without me.  It would be wrong and selfish of me to cause them more pain.  I really think the meaning of existence is other people.  I may be an emotionally crippled dysfunctional wreck, but I can still do some good in the world and that's what I'm here for.  I do what I can, I try not to be too much of a burden on others and I try to do good where I am able. 

[IgnatiusJ]

I think there is no real purpose. Everything just happens, it's all a big coincidence etc. Life is meaningless but that doesn't mean you can't create your own purpose. I just try to enjoy life as much as I can and so far it works. I don't necessarily need to achieve anything. I'm not saying I'm lazy and doing nothing all the time; I might achieve something because I like it, not because I want to be remembered or feel that I have to make this world a better place.   

[sonofblacula]

I think you have to define your own purpose in life. As others have said, we're all just here by chance. I decided my purpose was to learn and discover as much about the world as I can, and to that end I am studying to be a scientist. Maybe your purpose is to raise kids, or to have as much fun as possible, or to travel back in time and kill Adolf Hitler. Asking what purpose there is to life is sort of like asking what purpose their is to a rock, except that you have the free will (maybe) to decide on what you might like your purpose to be.

[lthm]

Some people (myself included) just have to come to the conclusion that there is no purpose. Once that is clear you can either try to spend the time you have here having fun, or if you feel it's impossible for you to be happy knowing there's no point, stay alive to make others around you happy or do something good for the world. Committing suicide will just make people who love you upset. If you feel you truly have nothing to give to the world, you're wrong. Even if you're just "some dude" who works at McDonalds you could donate your time to charity, maybe even adopt a child (if you can support one), there are always things you can do that are more productive than nothing and dying.

[Microlink]

As Aristotle put it, there are several different ways in which an object can exist.  It can exist in the material that its made of, in the form in which the material is arranged, as an idea in somebody's mind, and in what its used for...its purpose.  The Ship of Theseus was used to illustrate these various types of existence.  Suppose I want to know what makes a particular ship the Ship of Theseus.  One suggestion might be that the ship consists of the wood from which it is made.  But now suppose that over the years I have to replace various rotton planks on the ship until I eventually replace all the old wood.  Do I now have a new ship or is it still the Ship of Theseus?  So one might suggest that the ship consists of its form...the way in which the wood is bolted together.  But now suppose I round up all the old wood and reconstruct the 'old' ship next to the 'new' one.  Now which one is the Ship of Theseus?  Another suggestion is that the Ship of Theseus is whichever one the builder originally thought up, designed, and built.  In this case, the ship exists as an idea in the mind of its designer.  Finally, you might say that the Ship of Theseus is whichever one is used to deliver spices to nearby cities...that the ship consists of its purpose.  Personally, I've always thought that the universe itself should exist in all possible ways.  After all, there are things within the universe that exist as ideas in our minds and that have a purposeful kind of existence, so why shouldn't the universe as a whole exist in those ways too.  Science explores the material and form like existences of the universe whereas religion has traditionally dealt with the idea and purpose like existences of the universe.  I guess what I'm trying to say is that from a metaphysical perspective, I suspect that the universe does indeed have a purpose...although just what that purpose is, I'm not certain.  Maybe studying philosophy and theology will help you find some sort of purpose.  Here is a link to some of the info on the Ship of Theseus on wikipedia:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ship_of_Theseus  There are additional links on that page to Aristotle's Causes.

[Knowbody]

I don't know why, religion doesn't work for me, neither do any scientific ideas. I cannot find a single reason to why anything should exist. Can anyone come up with a purposeful meaning for existence?

Most people prove existence using observation. I prove existence using math. I have an advantage. I can prove God.

There are only two numbers: 0 and 1.  0 represents nothing and 1 represents everything.
Each fragment of the universe is a fraction of 1.
Equation: Nothing by definition does not exist; therefore everything.

But, what do I mean by everything? There are things that obviously don't exist. True. Let me finish the equation.

0 = nothing = nonawareness : 1 = everything = awareness

Awareness, being utterly alone, fragmented itself. Each fragment could now be defined relative to each other fragment.
You possess one of those fragments of awareness.

The only thing that you need to do in this life is answer this question to the fullest, and be brutally honest: What do I want?

Everything you see around you is God's answer to that question. Now it's your turn.

[Adastophilis]

How does that prove God?  You have just proved you can assign arbitrary numbers to any concept and then make a deduction out of that.  Even then, you refuted your first idea because of what is obvious, which makes the whole idea seem a little pointless.  Even if you had proved God's existence, how does that help answer the question?

[way3000]

I do not believe in god, either did the previously posted calculation prove that to me. I believe in what I can see, and I think of what I can't.

Like, I can see no god, so I rather think "is god a possibility" I might never get that answer, but so far I tend to conclude god was a tool humans used to either controle others or a necessary device needed for a social aspect. survival of the species maybe.

I see your problem as being, whats the whole idea in existing? even if there is a god, why should he exist?

I think it would be an awefully waste of space to not exist. If space didn't exist whats should else be here? nothing ? there would be no reason to that. "something" has to exist for a "reason" to be.

[Knowbody]

My proof of existence is an exercise in logic: It is impossible for nothingness to exist, because by definition, it does not exist. Therefore, the only other option is somethingness. When you are presented with only two options, and one is disproven, it is the other.

I'll put it another way. Nothingness in itself is a concept. If this concept were indeed reality, it would instantly cease to exist, because not even a concept can exist in nothingness. Therefore, somethingness instantly springs forth to contain the concept of nothingness.

I think it's obvious how I can assign the number 0 to represent nothingness, but not so obvious how 1 equals everything. Everything is contained within "1 concept." or just "1."

Here is where God comes in. Let's pretend you don't exist. An interesting thing happens. From your perspective everything else ceases to exist as well. But we know that's not true, because someone else still exists, thus preventing existence from disappearing altogether. Now let's pretend everyone ceased to exist. Do you think existence would continue, considering there is nobody left to observe it? Things exist only because observers exist. Awareness is the only thing that is not an illusion. The only thing that truly exists.

Back to the concept of nothingness. The only way it can exist is if awareness exists.

The easiest way I can put it: Nonawareness is impossible, therefore Awareness. God.

I am extrapolating about the part about the fragments, because if I didn't, that would mean I am the only one who possesses awareness. That would mean I am God. I believe I am only a fragment of God, as are all who possess awareness.

Finally the question: What do I want?

God started out knowing only that He existed. That wasn't enough. Everything you see around you is His answer to that question. God exists only as fragments of awareness given as priceless gifts to you and me. All God wants is for you to want the same thing as everyone else, thus ensuring our eternal survival. This life isn't about you, it's about us.

If I indeed possess a sliver of God's awareness, it means that He has lived my entire life right along with me.
The ocean of tears that humanity has shed over its troubled existence were shed by God.

[rblaa]

My proof of existence is an exercise in logic: It is impossible for nothingness to exist, because by definition, it does not exist. Therefore, the only other option is somethingness. When you are presented with only two options, and one is disproven, it is the other.

Your flaw is right here. Nothingness does not in fact exist. There is no contradiction except in the application of the meaning of your words.

When you disappear, that contradiction goes with you. All that is left is...nothing.