It’s seems to me that you think the meaning to life is just doing things. We study, we learn, we create new things. For what purpose? — Brett
I can understand that someone might go to another country and take photos of unusual cultures or locations and then that person brings them home to show others how the world is different out there. But that’s not what you’re saying. You’re saying just the act of taking photos gives meaning to life. But I don’t see how. — Brett
Can that really be all to the meaning of life? We’re here just to have fun?
— Brett
Pretty much. To learn about ourselves and our universe, and have fun doing it. The alternative is boredom and possibly depression. — MondoR
First of all fun is a very subjective term. Secondly we can be happy and unhappy, maybe in equal measure. Does that mean that unhappiness is the meaning of life? — Brett
Is there a kind of life that wouldn't be pessimistic and was worth living? Can you define that? Some of the stuff you listed can feel worth it at times, and make life seem enjoyable. Whether it adds up to a meaningful life worth living depends on the individual. Antinatalists seem to think people are fooling themselves.
I see it both ways, just depending on my mood. — Marchesk
Having reached some agreement about this and giving it more thought I still have a snag.
Living the ascetic life, living the life of a Buddhist monk or a Christian in a monastery, it seems to me to be a realm separated from the world, where the walls are a boundary. Life inside is sustained by what is given to them. I know some produce food for themselves with gardens and whatever else they may take part in, but their survival is guaranteed by the outside world, which they do not have to contend with. So the problem of life being competition to survive, or in schopenhauer1 relentless struggle through the day still seems to ring true to me.
So life doesn’t have to be about competition or survival, but for who? — Brett
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