Where is the point?

Great to see you back Faith.

Yeah I don't know. I always sort of looked at it as a recreational pursuit. I certainly never looked at it as a task that must be performed. Having children was a desire for me but only after many years of hedonistic indulgence (all hail the marvels of modern science!).I mentioned it so as to acknowledge the obviously hard wired purpose of life which seems to be to reproduce. This is not to suggest that my genetic lust matrix has withered in potency. Indeed it has become a finely tuned instrument of glorious orgasmic production for all concerned parties. The subtlety and nuance. The intricate and simultaneous manipulation of every pleasure centre known to the mind or body. A veritable cascade of... but I digress. It is between these wild and unbelievably fantastic voyages of discovery and joy that I wonder if there is any point to it all.The blinking light in my head is related to the fact that I have recognized that all of my pleasure seeking behaviour is a hardwired control mechanism that has evolved in order to direct my actions in a certain way. I see that the tendencies exist so as to ensure my survival and promote my reproduction. Any sense of joy that I get is a reward for following my instincts. This doesn't leave much room for me as a thinking individual but puts me well within the definition of an automaton. This may be an appropriate definition for a human or indeed any living thing but it doesn't feel quite right. It doesn't feel right because my instincts say so. Mindfuck. The thing is that I feel compelled to look for a point. It is an instinctive drive and, as Tangle points out, common to us all. Some of us find satisfaction in muting that drive and others indulge it.I think some of the main questions that need addressing are which instincts should we suppress and which should we indulge and what metric do those answers refer to.

That probably means that it is correct.

Hello Omni.
Also hello to GDR. Lots of the same "faces" here still.Look forward to your comments on my post. I would expect you to disagree, but HOW you disagree could be interesting.Edited by Faith, : No reason given.Edited by Faith, : No reason given.

I think that is well put but I don't think it goes far enough. I believe it isn't just about our soul. The Biblical narrative ends with the renewal of this world and Heaven and Earth becoming one. We aren't told how but in some way humans are God's agents in preparation for and in anticipation of that time.The point then is that it all matters, and not just what we do with our lives but what we do with our planet as they are both part of a renewed and eternal existence.

I have had the same thought and have yet to abandon it entirely. It seems almost obvious to me that our notions of God are what we aspire to. It seems to me that we are making some progress in that direction. When I imagine another 10k yrs of technology it seems that we might approach our definition of God.

The point of my life is to "get better."
It's general and vague like that for a reason.
I don't know what the point of your life is, or anyone elses. Ha! You don't say? Who's isn't? Nothing.Wait. What's the context, here?
In my head at the end of my life? - Satisfaction.
In other people's memories recently after my death? - The idea that I was the best human being they ever met.
In other people's memories a long time after my death? - That my name is... somewhere.
In the ultimate sense long, long after my death? Perhaps when the Earth/Solar Sytem/Universe is no more? - Nothing (this is the context I guessed you meant).But, really, I don't see the connection between this question and the original "what is the point of life" kind of question. I really think the point of my life is to "get better." But I also don't really expect (or even desire) anything specific "from" my life, at any time. Nope. Why? Why do you care to answer this question?
Do you want a purpose? Create one, that's more fulfilling than having one given to you anyway.
Do you want safety? Create it, that's stronger than having it given to you anyway.
Do you want to live forever? Can't.
Do you want a donut? Go buy one from the local coffee shop. To get better.
It's kinda difficult, though. There isn't exactly a scale to compare anything with... Improvement. Mostly the places I have to in order to survive (like work and grocery shopping). But when I get the chance to do what I want to do, I spend my time with my wife. Because she improves me.

And if we are lucky, He may judge that we have achieved His definition of us.(as a final product)

I do agree that "having the most stuff is probably not the point."
But your words here seem to indicate that you think "irrational behaviour" is a bad thing. I think this will cause you trouble in trying to figure out the point of life... because figuring out the point of life is an irrational thing.If we want to drive a nail into wood, we get a hammer.
The point of the hammer is to hit nails.
This point is objective because the hammer was built as a tool with a specific function in mind (hitting nails).
Humans were not built with a specific function in mind. You're right, these things do exist. But to think that because they exist they are therefore "the point of life" is simply wrong.Life doesn't exist "in order to" reproduce.
That's just what life does... life reproduces. But that's not "the point of" life.Yes, you have evolved tendencies for survival and to promote reproduction. But, where did those come from? What drives those? I'm sure you'll agree that it all comes down to chemical reactions and physical properties. Even the first life form (whatever it was) is likely some sort of chemical reaction.Those chemicals don't think "hey... if I line up with that catalyst, then I can reproduce!"
No. The chemical reaction just happens because the chemicals are there and the physical properties allow (force?) it to happen.Saying that the point of life is to survive/reproduce because of our natural nature is like saying the point of a ball is to roll downhill because of gravity.
That's not a point or purpose... that's just a scientific explanation for what's going to happen to natural things left in their natural environment.As far as "natural and/or scientific reasoning" goes... there is no point, no purpose to life. Those are just descriptions of how the physical stuff works.And, of course, it doesn't matter anyway.
Let's assume "the point to life" actually is to reproduce.
So what?
Let's say I don't want to reproduce. Let's say I just want to own a hotel chain.
Therefore, reproducing (which bears a heavy load of responsibility... time and finances) will take me away from owning a hotel chain.
I will be sad (frustrated... angry... whatever).
So how is it good to be following reproduction as "a point to life" if I don't agree with it?It's not good at all, that's because it simply doesn't matter.The point to life (the thing/s that will make you happy and satisfied... the only point that actually matters...) is irrational in it's very nature. It's subjective, and extremely personal.Maybe "the natural course of things" is extremely important to you. Therefore, maybe having babies and reproducing is your irrational point to life. This doesn't make it stronger or more powerful... this just makes it yours. (If that were true...)The point is, as long as you think that "irrational things" are bad... you're never going to be satisfied with a point to life because all points to life are irrational.Irrational things are only bad when they're used in the wrong way, like to solve a rational problem. "What is the point of life" is an irrational problem, there are many living things (and some humans as well) that get along perfectly fine without knowing a point to their life.

Hi Dogmafood,I at times ponder this very question as well. "Raison de"entre"I do not buy into the fact that I am simply anthropomorphisizing when I think there must be a reason.One common thread that seems to be woven into all life is that life wants to exist.The universe seems to want to exist. If that were not the case there would be nothing to ponder the question.In my most humble opinion the meaning of life is a fresh hot piece of sourdough bread toasted with butter. In other words, it is what you make it. imo.

What if the universe does not want to exist, but it must?
What if the universe exists accidentally or doesn't care or does not have the ability to want anything?It seems that in those cases where the universe doesn't specifically want to exist, we would still be here to ponder the question.

Hi Stile, Then we exist because the universe must. Conciousness evolved despite this and has given rise to creatures who do derive meaning and reason from that which is insouciant. Perhaps, perhaps not. We really only know that the universe does exist. We don't know why.Ultimately I believe we derive our own reasons. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eh5vgULGH-AEdited by 1.61803, : No reason given.

Absolutely.
Even if absolute or objective reasons for why the universe exists do become available, I would still say that our own derived reasons would be more important to us... and therefore they are the "ultimate" reason in any case.Not in any scientific/explanation context; only in any philosophical/purpose context.(Unfortunately, I am unable to witness the utubiness of your post. I am going to assume it was very unwitty and boring... that way I don't feel bad about missing out on it )

Our responsibility for the planet is important, of course, but it starts with recognizing that the human soul is made in the image of God, of enough worth that He came to die for our salvation. THEN when we know who we really are we can take responsibility for the rest of Creation as He intended us to.

The trouble with this kind of pulpit waffle that seems to come from a religious random word generator is that it has those that believe, nodding in agreement and those of us that don't howling with laughter.If it gets us anywhere at all, it just confirms our need to believe anything that make us feel significant and give us a spurious "point".