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by Im Alec has abandoned this account on February 5th, 2010
Selected by the asker, Answerbag Staff. (What's this?)
Why should life have "meaning"? Meaning comes when one mind communicates with an other, in words or symbols. But "life" has no mnd, and has no meaning.
by Koz - Passion Perseverance Patience on October 7th, 2011
Selected by the asker, Answerbag Staff. (What's this?)
living fully
by Patti jo on October 7th, 2011
Selected by the asker, Answerbag Staff. (What's this?)
Creating Yourself
DO IT.
by iggypuck on October 7th, 2011
Selected by the asker, Answerbag Staff. (What's this?)
God incarnate.
by Joe-Speedy on November 9th, 2005
"The meaning of life is enjoying the passage of time." Paul Simon.
by James Beatty on April 21st, 2004
I'd like to answer this with another question;
Why do you assume that there is a meaning of life?
by Anonymous on June 5th, 2005
It's a Monty Python movie that was released in 1983.
See: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085959/
by KevinW42 on February 22nd, 2007
42 (Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy)
by anonymous on July 7th, 2006
I think the meaning of life is to be happy, and to live rather than exist. Making the most of what you have, and taking lots of risks. Wheres the fun in always playing it safe?!
by IntellectualCritic on September 29th, 2004
If life was created, the meaning of life is dependent on the Creator. If the Creator meant life for a purpose, then that is its meaning - whatever it might be. If the creator had no purpose, or that purpose was fulfilled in the past or the creator is dead or gone, never to return, then there is no longer a purpose.
If life is a cosmic accident, formed through random processes over billions of years then life has no objective "meaning."
While some will claim their philosophy allows for meaning without a creator or designer, nobody need agree with them because there is no objective standard. With no external moral authority, totalitarianism, slavery and anarchy (survival of the fittest) are just as "noble" as benevolent libertarian democracy. Perhaps anarchy would be most "correct" since it is nearest darwinism.
In the absence of an objective, intelligent, purposeful and moral Creator, life has no real meaning.
The Bible indicates that God exists and created life for His pleasure, and desires eternal fellowship with humans. I concur.
by Sunblynd 5.0 on January 2nd, 2005
I can't tell you...it's a secret. But here is an interesting video I found on the internet that could hopefully bring to light the meaning of life to our modern society, enjoy.
by DreAnna on October 12th, 2007
To spread wisdom joy and laughter through out the world..okay..well that could be ..not exactly right..but it sounds good..lol :)
by Pastaman on May 28th, 2003
Counter-Strike
by syosh2024 on October 4th, 2003
The Westminster Catechism's First Question asks, "What is the chief and highest end of man?" To which it answers, "Man's chief and highest end is to glorify God and fully to enjoy him for ever." In most religions, Judeo-Christian ones in particular, the question of "meaning" in life is inextricably wrapped up in a relationship with God--living in, for, with, and through God. For life to have true "meaning" that meaning must come external to the individual and be somehow consistent with "life" as a whole. Most would argue that only God or a godlike (transcendent) being can grant this. For the non-theistic beliefs, then, it would seem that life cannot have objective meaning but must be subjectively constructed (giving rise to the question whether any true meaing to life can exist in a non-theistic system). So how one answers the meaning of life question bears directly on the existence of God question (and the "which God" question also).
by Anonymous on March 3rd, 2007
To go each day, one day at a time and do the best we can to be of service and help to ourselves and others. If we are following our beliefs and values, we will give both happiness and love and it will come back to us as well.
EDIT: And for those who find no point in living or in life, please reach out and remember that there are many people on AB and in the world who feel the same and are depressed for various reasons. They can get help and you can also if you feel life has noting to offer you. I am happy to help and I am sure many others on AB are as well. Most, if not all of us have been depressed at one time or another in our lives. Some of us severely depressed. Never give up! :)
by Nickaname on November 5th, 2004
The meaning of life is adaptability, the value of life is progress.
by Thommy on September 28th, 2004
This question is best answered by the individual through one's own discovery.
by - M.C.S. - Dave on May 14th, 2008
Everyone has their own idea about "LIFE". If I had to give mine in just one word. It would be the word "ETERNAL". As in "ETERNAL LIFE". And in the path I chose to live comes "ETERNAL SALVATION". Everyone has a LIFE to live however they want. Back in the 70's someone got me writing about my past,in a form of Poetry to some. I know!!! Who would think old M.C.S. was a Poet, why I didn't even know it. Before then I sure never showed it...LOL.. Anyway one of those oldies was titled "LIFE"
Now be ready to see all the Boo Boo's for this was one of the first.
"LIFE"
Life is the beauty in people's eye's.
Some show to other's, and some are shy.
Life has its meaning's from day to day.
With love and care through out the way.
Life may also bring fear, in everyone's sight.
With heartache and pain, through day's and night's.
Life brings joy to people through Christ.
And as we live our lives through Jesus, we try and be nice.............M.C.S. Dave
P.S. Make the best you can out of LIFE, each and every day. For there are good & bad things in Life's pathway. Just like in a highway. There will be bumps and bends and, tight places you may get in. But the longer you drive it, closer you'll come to ETERNITY......Always look at the word "LIFE" and what it can stand for. L= LIFE I= IS F= FOR E= ETERNITY............Later my FRIENDS....M.C.S.
by RedJohn on February 4th, 2006
This question has certainly attracked a number of interesting and conflicting answers. Some of the comments and ratings are also interesting, because they show that one person's belief can be considered incorrect by those with a different view. I don't think many of these answers are wrong, in spite of the ratings, they just don't 'fit' every individual.
To a theist, the meaning of life is usually defined within the governance of their faith. The meaning will vary, not only between different faiths, but also within the same faith, depending on the manner in which it is interpreted by each individual.
For those who are non-theists, the meaning of life must come from within each person and reflects how they view their position as an individual in the world. For myself, it can best be summarized by the phrase: do no harm.
If one cannot make life better for those with whom we share this planet, we should at least do everything within our power to refrain from harming them. Harm can arrive through many human avenues, most of which we have control over as individuals. It is unfortunate to see how easily one can bring harm to another. It is disheartening to see how many pursue agendas that bring harm to others. Just as one makes a conscious decision that creates harm as a consequence, one can make a conscious decision to do otherwise. Perhaps an individual will fail to profit personally, but profit often goes hand-in-hand with harm.
Do no harm. It's valid for both theists and non-theists.
by Old School on November 18th, 2010
You're new here, aren't you?....;-D....
http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/1
by dddkitty on March 30th, 2005
The meaning of life: what one has if one is is living.
by not in love on September 3rd, 2004
Life takes meaning from how it is lived, and being lived; how it is valued.
A person can become depressed and feel that their life has lost meaning. Life can become difficult, uncertian and unmangable. The experience of meaningless in living life comes at times when life has become too full of meaning to comprehend.
It is possible to be living in the most dire circumstances and still survive by finding meaning in one very simple thing. It could even be a thread, that has come loose on a sleeve. If the thoughts can be turned away from the unbelievable or physically impossible to the wax of a candle life can continue.
The meaning of life is fluid like a river and each person can shape the direction it takes with the choices they make. There are no rules other than those of natural consequence. We learn as we go and we seem to be somewhat driven to want to know more.
The quest that we each follow in our lives comes from that part of ourselves that knows and understands all things. Some call this spirit or or god, there are many names we call this part of ourselves that seems to know something more.
Before we are born and after we die I believe we return to our full self where we understand all that has been before and will come to be. I believe before we are born we are able to choose who we will become and what lessons we wish to live.
In this context the meaning of a life is an answer to a plan which each will return to, becoming fuller in life with every experience.
by TRAVIS SIMPSON on February 16th, 2004
One could not exactly say what the meaning of life is. One may distinguish what the meaning of his/her life is. My personal opinion of the meaning of life is giving our life back to the one who gave it to us. Life is a gift, not any kind of accident or mishap. To ask this question is to seek debate. Most likely you will believe the one that sounds the best whether it be right or wrong. Our lives are not about ourselves. I believe that if you recognize the greatest things we have in "life" you will not ask this question. The great things that i am talking about are faith, hope, and love. Faith is the one that can keep one from asking questions. If God wanted us to know something, then we would know it. So in a nutshell our the meaning of life is to glorify God.
by One Sentance Cork on June 12th, 2005
The meaning of life is what you want it to be. Let's say a boy wants to win the world cup of soccer. He trains, grows up and expands his skills. He starts playing in the state league, then the national league and finally at an international level. He wins the world cup. That is why he exists (in his mind) and that is his meaning of life. After that he may find another meaning of life and/or goal to achieve. The meaning of life is what we make of it and we can have as many choices as our minds desire.
by Geraldine on September 28th, 2003
The correct question to ask is how can I add meaning to my life? If we focus completely on the meaning (which really is the Supermeaning) we miss the most important part of life which is the actions that we do daily that give our life meaning. We all have a conscious responsibility to live life and from that our meaning is achieved.
by Geronimo on November 18th, 2010
...
by EL1 2 on March 10th, 2007
According to the dictionary, the meaning of life is "the condition that distinguishes organisms from inorganic objects and dead organisms, being manifested by growth through metabolism, reproduction, and the power of adaptation to environment through changes originating internally."
by hdsquaver spark on June 16th, 2006
Bugging G-d to no end, and being happy about it cause it's just fun. You pick you own path in life so break all the rules you want, you'll never get in real trouble since G-d loves all his creations. Everything might take a little longer but you'll make it in the end. Who knows where your going anyways? (Not meant is Heaven or Hell reference)
by Anonymous on September 1st, 2005
Before trying to answer a question one must first ask yourself the question, is the question a valid one. You give life meaning you do not look for meaning. You silly wrabbit. Let my ask you a question if there were such a question do you expect it to be a good one liner or a volume of books. You get my drift! You can ask this questions till the cows come home and at each cross roads in like the answer will be different answers. If you are starving and about to die the meaning of life may be a BIG MAC,FRENCH FRIES AND A COKE. Here another answer, the meaning of life is simply LIFE With out life there are no ridicules questions
by Introverted Thinker on August 17th, 2005
Two important concepts come to mind when I think about the meaning of life. The first is spirituality and the second is maximizing your God given potentials and abilities.
We all need something to worship, believe it or not we were created by God to worship him. Eventually, whether you are a Christian are not you will worship something. That something might be anything from your good looks to your own opinions. We all need to recognize that we are not only physical beings but spiritual too. The reason people ask what the meaning of life is, because they have cut themselves off from spirituality, the infinite, the eternal, the omnipotent, the omnipresent, the miraculous. You see, life will seem very depressing, dull and useless if there is nothing to worship, bigger and better than ourselves. Furthermore, I would hate to believe that this life is it. But when I start thinking about streets of gold, pearly gates, mansions and all the attributes that the bible gives about heaven, and the promises he gives to me as a child of God, I view my life and its meaning totally different. Spirituality and being in right relationship with God is the first step to finding the meaning of life.
Second once you are connected to the source of all life, power, creativity, wisdom, knowledge and so forth, you can begin to maximize your potential. The wonderful thing about creation is that God made us to all be different. From personality to skin color we are all unique, there are no "natural" duplicates of anyone. Since we are all different we have things we naturally do well in, and things we don't. I believe that every person should take an introspective look at themselves and see exactly what they do well. The startling truth is that your unique gifts and abilities are usually right under your nose, and you use them all the time. The key is to recognize who you are and all your natural propensities and maximize them. Also, you should cherish who you are as a person and glorify God for making such a wonderful work of art. If you are having a hard time seeing who you are I recommend taking self assesment tests and personality tests maybe like the Myers Briggs. These tests can't tell you everything about you but they can help put you on the right path to self discover.
by refpil on August 3rd, 2005
That question I think should be restated to make it more poignant. Here are suggestions- What is the purpose/significance of life - my working, my partying, etc.? What is the purpose of all this?
I believe that the answer is that we are created by God for two reasons:
1. To make this world a better place for our neighbors- to cultivate and to work. That means serving others in love, creating things to be enjoyed, etc. God loves it when there is joy and beauty in his world. Picture God applauding when he sees hungry people being fed or when he sees a beautiful play (sports or theater). However, since he owns the world, he gets to define what is the good.
2. To have a personal relationship with him, which means knowing him as a praiseworthy God and being known to him in our weakness and suffering (prayer and struggle). That is what God seeks from us. Against the legalist, God did not place us here to just follow rules like servants. Against the antinomian, we are responsible to God and our neighbors, we are not to live for ourselves.
by Dakini on July 16th, 2005
It's important to clarify what's being asked here. It could be that we're wondering what the purpose of life is.
Possibly, we want to know the message that our lives represent, as in "the meaning of a sentence".
Or we could be asking what is the significance of life in general, as in "what's the bottom line".
In any case, all discussions would have to start with: if there is a Creator Being then...
Only God truely knows the purpose, the message, and the signficance of our lives She / He / It gave us.
Now having said that, what if there isn't a Creator Being?
The purpose of life is to make more life.
The message is a DNA encoded program of development.
And the significance is relative to the eyes of the beholder.
by quaternity on March 10th, 2005
The myth (story of the meaning of life) of the coming era is the creation of consciousness of ourselves and of the god (of the opposites). Presuming that God can do everything (including percieve himself and his creation) would also mean that we have no purpose! Illuminating the creation is Man's purpose, and is the thing that God (the unconscious) cannot do, except through us.
by Brian I on November 18th, 2010
42.
by American idle on February 22nd, 2007
Whatever you think it to be. Thoughts are actual things that become your physical reality when believed and acted upon. You ARE what you THINK you are, literally.
by R Spandit on June 9th, 2006
Life really has only one purpose. It is the selfish gene which exists to survive and perpetuate itself in a mechanical, mindless way. It follows a universal law, just like gravity pulls, life sustains and perpetuates itself.
We think our life's activities go beyond this law, but most of the things we do every day are just complex expressions of the same law. When we buy possessions, seek information, follow the crowd, or try to convert others to our beliefs, we are self-perpetuating.
But if we use our conscious willpower to step out of this mechanical behaviour and do something (truly) selfless, or to reflect on the wonder of the universe, or to add something small to that vast pool of human understanding, then I think perhaps we approach something which is the higher meaning of life.
What that meaningful vocation should be, we each have to decide for ourselves.
by hansin on May 20th, 2006
The meaning of life is to look for an answer to this question. If you think you found it, then there is no meaning of life.
by free4life79 on April 12th, 2006
The meaning of life.........For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
(John 3:16)
by Answers101 on March 9th, 2006
The meaning of life is understanding that Jesus is our Saviour and that He died on the cross to save us from both our sins and eternal damnation.
Thanks and glory to be God because all of us have something to be thankful for that is Jesus, our Saviour.
by Zandalee.Lonely.Lunatic.3yrs-here on January 30th, 2006
What is the meaning of Life? To live; what one has if one is living.
the act of living.
Don't take this as a definition, think outside the box.
As to why we are here: To ask questions!
again, think outside the box
by AyJayCee on November 16th, 2005
I'm not going to proffer another 'meaning' of life, there's enough on here to give most people something to think about. But I will give people 'something' to think about . . .
Is the concept of an evolutionary 'accident' really so hard to accept ? Maybe while the term is viewed so narrowly as something unplanned, in many cases with 'negative' or 'pointless' connotations attached to it; the term 'accident' does sound rather hit-and-miss but surely the basis of ALL development is 'accidental' in its nature.
From the discovery of Penicillin [by chance] to the development of the modern medicines [we try 1001 possibilities and one of them is eventually the right one] every one of these things can be termed 'accidental' and all we do as human beings is shorten the odds to increase the chances of one particular outcome over another.
So, on that basis, why should the 'accident' of human life be so hard to accept [as the right combination of substances at a particular time in the universe] and why should there be some 'meaning' which, by it's nature, is defined by some higher power than ourselves. Notice that NOBODY can provide a definitive record of when time started and what happened between then and now. Surely, if some being had 'created' human beings the human beings would have created some record of their existence from the start; and yet none exists.
Perhaps we should just 'accept' that life exists, as do the stars and the sun, and get on with deciding on what use or 'meaning' we will give to our own lives.
There seem to be so many theories that 'tell' us what the meaning of our lives should be, while [and this this is not a Christian-bashing session] conveniently asking us to give 10% of our earnings to the church and various other self-serving edicts. One must remember that the first 'bible' was not written until the 4th Century AD by which time I would conservatively estimate the passed-on knowledge of the Gospels to be at least fourth-hand. It is not my intention to prove or disprove any one belief over another, but merely to demonstrate the fallibility of human record and the scope that exists for abuse within it [another discussion point entirely].
So, in terms of 'something to think about' decide on your own meaning of life, and include in that the choice of whether to believe in one religion/god/higher power or another; if you consider that to be the meaning of YOUR life then so be it. Nobody can provide our 'correct' answer to this question except ourselves. Perhaps the most we can hope for is a sufficient pool of opinion on which to start making up our own individual minds and spend less time telling others how to live their lives.
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In Responnse to Feedback . . .
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Quite Right ! ENOCHbethany, but if you put a weight and a piece of string in a bag and shake them, you might eventually create a pendulum . . . Add a cog to the bag and shake again . . . do I really need to explain this all the way ?!
Nobody said the first Human Being had Arms, Legs and a First from Oxford but maybe we started somewhere and developed, how's about that one ?!
Thanks,
AyJayCee
by Alatea on November 8th, 2005
The meaning of life is within.
Those who seek a universal definition are the same who find themselves making all of their decisions based on what they perceive others would like them to do.
by StJames on March 31st, 2005
To love God to be loved by God, to love your neighbor and be loved by your neighbor.
by blahbleh on January 2nd, 2005
The meaning of life, from http://www.dictionary.com
The property or quality that distinguishes living organisms from dead organisms and inanimate matter, manifested in functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli or adaptation to the environment originating from within the organism.
I think the question needs rephrasing, to "What purpose does life serve?"
by Aristocles on January 18th, 2004
The psychologist Viktor Frankl said in "Man's Search for Meaning" that we shouldn't ask what we expect from life but what life expects from us. The more famous Greek philosophers pretty much agreed that happiness was what we were to look for. The movie "City Slickers" tells us that life is all about ONE thing; Billy Crystal's character struggles to find out what that one thing is, but he realizes there's no need to label what it is, because it's always right there in front of you. You know what it is even when you don't.
by Mr Wibblesworth on April 8th, 2008
Meaning can only be granted by intentional, purposive creation or by active interpretation.
Since there is clearly no act of authoritatively purposive creation at the start of life, and since a life granted meaning *only* by the retrospective analysis of others is internally unsatisfying (and probably good evidence that you are in fact a fictional character), one must therefore create meaning in their life by the force of their own actions alone, by shaping its path (that is, 'purposively creating' one's life) through clear exercise of the will.
A meaningful life is therefore one directed towards a goal, whatever that goal may be. It is one in which an individual decisively acts to achieve something, anything, everything. Success is irrelevant: what matters is intention.
Post script: Note that a life without meaning is not necessarily one without value - a lack of purpose does not entail uselessness in all cases.
by Alex P. Keaton on February 21st, 2008
The meaning of life is to give meaning to life.
by dazed on May 29th, 2007
chocolate
by travis bickle on March 20th, 2007
I don't know and I don't care.
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Comments
Even as an Evolutionist, you must see that we are all part of a COG that the universe has started.
Hey Alec, nice to talk to you again, and congradulations on being Askers pick on a 1,154 answer question.
GOD Bless
guardian
by guardian on February 3rd, 2011