What is the point to life? - Page 4

Ran-Taro · #31 October 7th, 2003, 01:57 AM

Quote:

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 · #32 October 7th, 2003, 02:02 AM

Quote:

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 · #33 October 7th, 2003, 02:03 AM

Quote:

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.

Renegade 13 · #34 October 7th, 2003, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 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...

Ok, what did you just say??

I have no idea what some of those words mean

Most, yeah, but hedonism?? monotheism??

Ran-Taro · #35 October 7th, 2003, 04:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Renegade 13:

quote:
Originally posted by 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...

Ok, what did you just say?? I have no idea what some of those words mean Most, yeah, but hedonism?? monotheism??

Hedonism: giving meaning to life through the pursuit of pleasure.

Monotheism: the belief in an exclusive one true god.

Stoicism: An an ancient philosophical system characterised by the casual acceptance of the worst of life's pain.

(not dictionary definitions)

deccan · #36 October 7th, 2003, 05:10 AM

I don't agree with the many of the sentiments expressed in this thread, especially the socialist rail against the rich and powerful.

By and large, from my own personal experience I don't find that the rich and powerful got that way undeservedly. Sure, I know of many people who are rich because of their parents, but I also see that many of them end up making a mess of their lives and disappointing their parents.

Many of the rich and powerful people that I personally know got that way because they worked long hours, made huge personal sacrifices and took big risks along the way. And whatever they want to do with their hard-earned money is pretty much their business.

I don't have any sympathy at all for people who say that they deserve a particular kind of lifestyle or neighborhood and that "society" owes it to them to provide that lifestyle and neighborhood simply because they're used to that lifestyle and neighborhood.

I don't have any sympathy either for comments about rich people f*cking over the lives of the poor. I do agree that some people get rich by cutting legal corners sometimes, but I also see that it comes back to haunt them. Not always, but enough so that I wouldn't want to take the same route myself.

I don't believe that poor people deserve sympathy simply for the 'virtue" of being poor. I do believe that the poor people who want to improve their lives and are willing to achieve by studying and working harder deserve to be helped, but I see from personal experience that there are many poor people who that way because they are just too unambitious and too lazy to try to change their lives for the better. And I've never known people who are genuinely and consistently hardworking not to succeed in life.

And keep in mind that I am someone who have worked in some of the poorest and most underdeveloped countries in the world, including Gabon, Cameroon, Mozambique and currently the Solomon Islands.

Renegade 13 · #37 October 7th, 2003, 05:23 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by deccan:
And I've never known people who are genuinely and consistently hardworking not to succeed in life.

Have you ever met a farmer or a rancher??

Quote:

And keep in mind that I am someone who have worked in some of the poorest and most underdeveloped countries in the world, including Gabon, Cameroon, Mozambique and currently the Solomon Islands.

Until I saw this part, I thought you might be one of those rich people!!

Fyron · #38 October 7th, 2003, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Puke:
no, no, no.. you have to hold on loosely, and not let go. because if you cling to tight...

ah, nevermind.

Leave it to you to make one puke...

Kamog · #39 October 7th, 2003, 07:04 AM

I don't think there's life after death. People have tried to tell me otherwise, but I am not convinced since there is no evidence, and their arguments are based only on faith. Some people seem to choose to believe in life after death because they hope that it exists, but I can't bring myself to believe something just because it would be nice if it were true.

So I'll just assume that death is the end, and if I happen to be wrong, I would be pleasantly surprised.

Somebody once said, "Why worry about life after death if you're not even living this one?"

dogscoff · #40 October 7th, 2003, 09:29 AM

Quote:

because they worked long hours, made huge personal sacrifices and took big risks along the way.

People justifying their wealth with 'personal sacrifices' means nothing to me. See someone else's post earlier about how a sacrifice isn't a sacrifice if you plan to get something back from it. They very deliberately chose to make the 'sacrifices', so they shouldn't whinge about them.

Quote:

rich people f*cking over the lives of the poor. I do agree that some people get rich by cutting legal corners
sometimes,

I think the point is that many people f&ck over the poor without having to cut legal corners. There must be a zillion websites cataloguing corporate evils so I won't bother going into details here but try googling up a few sites against pharmaceutical companies or the tobacco industry. Mostly they shaft people within the law. (Although admittedly they'll often have to buy a politician first to get the laws re-written in their favour.)

Quote:

but I also see that it comes back to haunt them

It's a nice thought, but I hardly ever see this. Mostly they just keep on getting away with it.