Is There a Purpose to Human Existence?

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In summary, the purpose of doing anything is survival and passing on genes. However, as intellectuals, we should use our imagination and not limit ourselves to just these purposes. It is interesting to note that humans have been creating and expressing themselves through art and other non-gene-passing activities for thousands of years. Our population has grown and science has advanced, but our creativity and talent have remained constant. This raises questions about the worth and purpose of these non-gene-passing activities. Some may argue that love is the purpose of our existence, but ultimately, the ending of our existence is unknown and can be full of unexpected twists and turns.
  • #1
einsteinian77
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Whats the purpose of doing anything??
 
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  • #2
survival
 
  • #3
what's the purpose of survival?
 
  • #4
To live.
 
  • #5
As a statement of who we are?
 
  • #6
Whats the purpose of living?
 
  • #7
in order to stay as life.
 
  • #8
The purpose is not living - it is only surviving long enough to pass our genes onto future generations.

Nautica
 
  • #9
shouldn't their be something greater than survival and passing on genes? As intellectuals we should use our imagination a bit.
 
  • #10
hell, why does there always have to be a determined, absolute purpose to everything? Oh, and by the way, Darwinian thinking should lead one away from talking about purpose, but anyways...
 
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  • #11
This is a really interesting issue. Twentyfive thousand years ago we suddenly started doing something that couldn't be classified as just passing on genes. I refer to the cave paintings. Since then the gene passing ability has accelerated (agriculture, medicine, sanitation, and now in-vitro fertilization mean more kids survive to have kids of their own). But the non-gene-passing things have not. I believe that anyone who looks at the Lascaux painting can see that they are as creative and splendid as anything produced today. Only science has advanced in parallel with our population. What does this say about the worth of creativity and talent?
 
  • #12
Is there a purpose? if there is then what is it?


love?
 
  • #13
Heh, our existence is in a middle of a movie. Hard to tell what the ending is going to be and if there ain't any twist or turns the last minute.
 

1. What is the meaning of life?

The meaning of life is a philosophical question that has been debated for centuries. Some believe that the purpose of life is to fulfill a specific goal or destiny, while others believe that the meaning of life is subjective and can differ for each individual. It is ultimately up to each person to determine their own meaning of life.

2. Is there a universal purpose of life?

There is no definitive answer to this question as it ultimately depends on one's beliefs and perspective. Some religious and spiritual beliefs may suggest that there is a universal purpose of life, such as serving a higher power or reaching enlightenment. However, from a scientific standpoint, the purpose of life may be seen as simply to survive and pass on genetic information.

3. How do we find our purpose in life?

Finding one's purpose in life is a personal journey and can be different for everyone. Some may find their purpose through career aspirations, relationships, or personal passions. It often involves self-reflection, exploring different interests, and setting personal goals. It is important to keep an open mind and be willing to try new things in order to discover one's purpose in life.

4. Can the purpose of life change?

Yes, the purpose of life can change as we grow and evolve as individuals. What may have been our purpose at one point in our lives may shift as we experience new things and gain new perspectives. It is important to be open to change and to continuously reassess our purpose in life.

5. Is there a scientific explanation for the purpose of life?

From a scientific standpoint, the purpose of life can be seen as the continuation and evolution of life itself. The process of natural selection ensures that only the most adaptable and successful organisms survive and pass on their genetic information. Therefore, the purpose of life can be seen as the perpetuation of our species and the continuation of the natural cycle of life.

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