What is the point to life?

[Atrocities]

Not a socialist, but a Depressionist

This is more of a philisophical (sp) discussion than how I really look at things in life. I am actually rather optomistic by nature, I know good things will happen in time, but I can't help but take notice of all the other things that are going on.

The question about the purpose to life is as old as we our race.

Thanks for your concern Ran, that was very kind of you. I started this topic because I enjoy reading what people post on important issues and such.

All though life is cruel and I question the meaning of living if death is the ultimate reward, I do take great pleasure in exsisting. I mean just playing SEIV sometimes is the greatest thrill one could hope for. Life has many surprises, most good, but some not so good.

Good life surprises would be Star Wars and winning the lotto.
Bad surprises would be a flat tire or a sudden death of a loved one.

Take life as it comes, because when its over, it is really over.

[Teal_Avenger]

Originally posted by Loser:

Life is not cruel. Life is indifferent. Existence is unjust. Experience is inconsistent.

Very true, but experience is the lens (however scratched and out of focus) through which we each individually view the world. My view through my lens will be dramatically different than that of Bill Gates or anonymous villager in West Africa. Our lens and our interpretter (mind) are all we have to make sense of the world and most of the time there is no sense to be found. Then the mind starts to make its own "sense," impose its own overlay of order and normalcy on even the most surreal and absurd situations. It stops trying to discern the truth and creates its own "truth."

Why do people continue to live under capricious tyrants? They've convinced themselves that this is the best option available to them. Their distorted lens has overwhelmed their mind and the mind has been forced to rationalize.

Originally posted by Loser:

Letting go is the key to happiness.

Happiness is overrated. Seriously, this is giving up in a different way. By letting go, we are denying that our experience (however muddled) is valid. It is. Everyone's experience is just as valid as the next person's By putting these experiences together, we start to eliminate (see through) some the distortions of our individual experience and get closer to truth.

By letting go, by accepting our plight, we shirk any attempt at making a difference, an improvement in the world. I'm not saying that everyone has an inner Lincoln waiting to get out, but there are oppourtunities, some easy and almost passive (say, voting) all the way to the dangerous. Most are small and nearly imperceptable (a city council meeting, a mentoring program) but their cumalative effect can be dramatic.

Oops, this got a little heavy and long winded.

[Puke]

Originally posted by Renegade 13:
We all sacrifice for others, and those sacrifices are not always appreciated. In fact, many times they are not. But that's not the point. We can't let things like that get us down. We sacrifice for others because it is the right thing to do, and most of us are moral people at heart. We can only live the way we know we should, and whether or not other people appreciate it, does not matter.

well, you palookas dont want to get me started on morality - but Renegade is on to something here that you should pay attention to:

you are not making a sacrifice for anyone if you are expecting to be rewarded for it. its sort of like going to the gym for a workout. its supposed to be work, otherwise they'd call it a relax-and-have-a-margarita-out. if you're making a sacrifice, then you shouldn't be worried about whos going to thank you for it, or pay you back, or even notice. you should't even be worried about fate paying you back with divine karma. its called a sacrifice for a reason.

so the next time your having a margarita instead of going to the gym, raise your glass to all the unsung heros who really did make sacrifices.

and in case you forgot, moderate me down so that forum newbies dont mistakenly give credit to anything i say

[General Woundwort]

Amazing how the same options keep coming up (stoicism/buddhism/"letting go" - hedonsim - monotheisn/Christianity), even if the labels change. Nothing new under the sun...

[Ran-Taro]

Originally posted by Atrocities:
Not a socialist, but a Depressionist

This is more of a philisophical (sp) discussion than how I really look at things in life. I am actually rather optomistic by nature, I know good things will happen in time, but I can't help but take notice of all the other things that are going on.

The question about the purpose to life is as old as we our race.

Thanks for your concern Ran, that was very kind of you. I started this topic because I enjoy reading what people post on important issues and such.

All though life is cruel and I question the meaning of living if death is the ultimate reward, I do take great pleasure in exsisting. I mean just playing SEIV sometimes is the greatest thrill one could hope for. Life has many surprises, most good, but some not so good.

Good life surprises would be Star Wars and winning the lotto.
Bad surprises would be a flat tire or a sudden death of a loved one.

Take life as it comes, because when its over, it is really over.

No worries, you just seemed a bit down!

I know how hopeless life feels when everything just looks bleak, so I try to help others out of that hole when I can.

Have a better one!

It's a pity she won't live, but then again, who does?

Bladerunner

[Ran-Taro]

Originally posted by StarBaseSweeper:
I may think that the drop of rain has no meaning until a sentient being look or think about it.

"Meaning" is maybe meaningfull only for sentient being.

And yes, I do not think you know you will die when born, but I think you are taught you will rather fast.

...is a drop of rain sentient?
...
are we?

...is reality itself?

who knows!?!?

[Loser]

Originally posted by General Woundwort:
Nothing new under the sun...

Ain't that the truth.

As for happiness being overrated, there's a old saying "If you havn't got your health, what have you got?". Well, health is easy where I come from. We're actually the healthiest State in the Union, but health is pretty easy anywhere in the developed world.

So now it's "If you're haven't got happiness, what have you got?". Letting go of the past isn't running away from it, because as long as you are hiding from it you haven't released. My goal is not to live for the past, but for the future.

I used to think I'd want to be rich, or popular, or smart. F*** that noise! Being happy is where it is truely at.

Slide.