human life has no "formal purpose."
From a nihilistic POV, we aren't any different than the other animals. So this whole planet is pointless then? That's ghey.
Not only do I not agree with the idea, I really dislike it. We might as well all go kill ourselves as there's no point in us being here (other than maybe some of us like being here). It just seems to remove some of the flare of living when there's no point.
We are just here, hanging about. Formally speaking, we are useless.
Yeah, that's depressing. But try telling that to nature when we're ripping it a new asshole. Perhaps we have some use afterall. Nature's self destruct mechanism, perhaps?
Theistically, the higher purpose thing is rewarding. Adding purpose to your life, even if its all false, at least gives you something to live for, it gives you something to do. Otherwise, I'm working all day just waiting to die.
If I were to embrace nihilism, I think I'd have to go for
hedonism. I'd just work all day so I could get drunk and fuck all night. But from a theistic POV, it isn't all that rewarding. It seems like there is some other reason I'm here. I like Jesus' teachings, it makes me happy.