Originally posted by rvsakhadeoWell despite my own theism - some would say deism - I don't accept the idea that subscribing to a faith or pinning hopes on immortality [and adjusting one's actions during our actual real life accordingly] is somehow "bigger" or "broader". Not at all.
You are optimistic and wolfgang59 is pessimistic,as is quite obvious from your and his posts.He is saying life has no meaning and you are saying this is not so.In my view (and it is not a"religionist" view as you have condescendingly called it but a common sense view) your vision is broader.But you say I am wrong !!
Don't you accept a compliment from a theist ( that too a Hindu theist)?
Originally posted by FMFSo what is your point? Does life have a meaning or not and if it does have meaning,how do you explain or elaborate it ?
Well despite my own theism - some would say deism - I don't accept the idea that subscribing to a faith or pinning hopes on immortality [and adjusting one's actions during our actual real life accordingly] is somehow "bigger" or "broader". Not at all.
Originally posted by rvsakhadeoThe story of my life in its every detail is the meaning of my life. What do you mean by "meaning"? Doing certain stuff to 'achieve' life after death? Preparing for some form of "salvation" or reincarnation? Following "God's instructions"? These are meanings that people conjure up for themselves to create 'content' for their lives, as far as I am concerned. Not necessary, I say. But good luck to them.
So what is your point? Does life have a meaning or not and if it does have meaning,how do you explain or elaborate it ?
Originally posted by FMFThere is a commonalty among beasts and humans. Beasts as well as humans struggle for food and have a desire to procreate.But Humans are distinguished from all other forms of life due to their curiosity about the world around,their struggle to master Nature,their vision which makes them look at the stars and beyond.Surely Humans are driven by aspirations far loftier than other creatures. Surely they have their moments of tragedy and triumph far more intense than other beings.This cannot happen unless Humans have sensed a meaning to their life,don't you think ?
The story of my life in its every detail is the meaning of my life. What do you mean by "meaning"? Doing certain stuff to 'achieve' life after death? Preparing for some form of "salvation" or reincarnation? Following "God's instructions"? These are meanings that people conjure up for themselves to create 'content' for their lives, as far as I am concerned. Not necessary, I say. But good luck to them.
If the aims of life were to boil down to crude wishes of a better life after death or salvation or reincarnation or following god's instructions,at least in the beginnings of human spiritual journey,they need not be sniggered at by modern generations of thinkers. There is a meaning to human life,it may not have been articulated properly or it might be replaced by some other/newer meaning but it is there.
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Originally posted by DasaI appreciate having questions about such things in my life and do not expect to find final answers. It feels like having an aha or eureka moment would be followed the next day by the question reappearing, perhaps in a slightly different form, and I will welcome it back. Sort of like chess.
Well if you were the questioner then I suspect you would pose yourself as a person enquiring into subjects such as God, religion, life. death, existence, meaning, knowledge. ignorance. war, right, wrong, authority, speculation, truth, falsity, science of origins, creation, universe,s, the cosmos, scriptures, education.
You would have to think of questions that might arise from all these headings.
I am sure we could find examples of good questions on all those subjects. I think part of the journey includes finding the question in a form that engages us and we feel is worthwhile, but that form will vary from person to person. What is a question about right and wrong that you feel is worthwhile considering? Find a group of people who like the same question, and discuss it with them, or just listen in. Sooner or later you can predict who will say what about it.
A structured debate like you suggest is apparently of some interest to the usual suspects on this forum, but getting the cats to stay on the task of formulating the list of questions is obviously difficult. So. probably, one question at a time is best. Let the Meaning and purpose of life question wind down, then pose the next one.
Originally posted by rvsakhadeoWell, what can I say? Except for, thank you for sharing your musings on the 'meaning of life'.
There is a commonalty among beasts and humans. Beasts as well as humans struggle for food and have a desire to procreate.But Humans are distinguished from all other forms of life due to their curiosity about the world around,their struggle to master Nature,their vision which makes them look at the stars and beyond.Surely Humans are driven by aspirations f ...[text shortened]... been articulated properly or it might be replaced by some other/newer meaning but it is there.
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Originally posted by JS357In my OP I had said one question at a time.
I appreciate having questions about such things in my life and do not expect to find final answers. It feels like having an aha or eureka moment would be followed the next day by the question reappearing, perhaps in a slightly different form, and I will welcome it back. Sort of like chess.
I am sure we could find examples of good questions on all those subj ...[text shortened]... a time is best. Let the Meaning and purpose of life question wind down, then pose the next one.
20 questions but one at a time.
One question on Monday another on Wed another on Friday and so on.
As a question asker, just anything that comes to mind from the whole range of topics that have been suggested.
But anyway the suggestion is not taking hold so that's OK it was just something I thought would be a move away from normality.
I am happy to leave it at that.
And your right .........keeping the persons on task would be most difficult.
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-Removed-I mean life is what it is. And we are what we are - and capable of what we are capable of. Telling myself I will live forever - as if life as it is is somehow not enough - is not a brand of spirituality that I subscribe to. I feel no need to conjure up 'meaning' in that way.