You're asking 'why did the universe do what it did' basically. Or am I mistaken? If you are, you imply that the universe is something which can make a conscious decision. Or, you are asking a scientific question about evolution.
Firefly.. when you say nonconscious stuff multiplies... you attempt to suggest what exactly? Bacteria? other forms of life that don't think the way we do? I'm not sure of inanimate matter multiplying,but if you DiD mean bacteria, which you don't probably consider conscious.. then would you not at least consider similar forms of life <b>aware</b>? They must be aware on some level to even carry out life functions.. It seems to me..at least currently, that all forms of life exist with certain knowledge that there is "something out there" something to be attained in nature..whether it be for purposes of growth or what have ya..we're all processors of the <i> In-Formation</i> that naturally exists..in a state of existance. Ok.. How about not trying to define the purpose of human life but rather trying to see where I'm coming from? in thinking about the purpose of all life functions.. nutrition, growth.. making the environment a part of self.. what reason for a universe to have protein replicators, some that are aware on what seems to be a higher level than other replicators.. (that means us) Oh and Tyler, have you thought about those that might consider that God exists but don't follow ur #1 "special book" category? To that type who question their existance what say you? your #2 - "A result or effect that is intended or desired; an intention" is an interesting definition of purpose. It's been said that that life's purpose is to witness the universe.. *shrug* if we(life) weren't here to observe...*shrug*Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! -Furtha Discourse L8ta
"you imply that the universe is something which can make a conscious decision?" If I was implying that ..I had no right to be asking the question..because I would already have attempted to answer it with GOd.. is what you're thinking.. but no.. Take my question, about <i>what reason is there that allows us to exist?</i> without assuming I've already attempted to answer it with a Pre-existing conscience or..GoD.. although.. if that is all you tend to see when that question is posed.. I wonder if you consider the question itself as a threat to your points? I take it you tend to fall into the atheist category? I may be wrong.. but I wonder if these type of questions sort of Polarize your stance and anything anyONE says that seems to suggest God ..is always "the other side" of ya argument... Take care
like I said, you're asking "why has the universe produced us" Now. Are you asking a scientific question? If you are, float on down to the Science section and someone (probably James) will answer this far better than I can. If you are not, and you are asking why the universe happened the way it did on some metaphysical level - there is no reason. That's just what happened. and yes, stating there is a reason means that there is something to connect and give this whole reason out to. Find a reason for something. For doing something. Like look at some random person and try and figure out what his purpose is for doing what he is at that moment. Ah, see that? No matter what that persons purpose for doing what he is doing is - it was handed down to him by someone else or himself.
Play with words often will misconvey a message or a question.. you use the word produced.. I did not. My question isn't based in science as in biology so we can set that straight.. Something interesting though "No matter what that persons purpose for doing what he is doing is - it was handed down to him by someone else or himself." I'm in absolute agreement. Though debate on whether subjectivity or objectivity are @ hand follows.. If Objectivity exists .. the guy did do what he did for 1 reason some might say (not familiar enough with the argument to be sure).. but lets not get into that grab bag please... The statement would imply on a grander level that our reason for being could've been handed down to us, as that would follow ur thought experiement's logic... But Find it a lil' disturbing that you simply can state that there is no reason.It seems 2 me that we can't begin to really state anything about a reason for existance unless one were able to Create[as from a point of non-existance.. then say.. yes it was me.. I was the reason for that..(If we were GOD so to speak) but lets not go there 2 early in the morning for that] I now see that <i>that</i> pov is just as boxed in as the religious 1 who would say that the reason IS GOD.. My position is on neither side.. its a simple resounding I don't know, but a guy does still wonder about these things trying not to align myself and remain truly open minded. life is a struggle no doubt..that we can agree upon..I hope.
Exactly!! Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! I thought I'd bring a different light to the topic, since everyone was so stuck on the thought that our existence is merely to procreate. It seemed so hopeless, so I tried to voice their opinions in a more shocking sense. I don't personally believe in this particular theory, I was just trying to help people see it differently. I hope no one took it as a justification to suicide, because I know it's wrong. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
To back track a bit .... I think there's gotta be a distinctive difference made between life and existing. Does a stone have life? It exists, but it doesn't exist to have sex. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! What do you think about Lesion's original point though? It doesn't take much "learning" to have sex. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! I suppose I did mean bacteria, or plants, thought it's also crucial to difine and differentiate aware, conscious, self aware, etc tec, and ... I can't be bothered. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! But I'll read it if you want to have a go. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!
Whenever in doubt, consult a dictionary. Living means; "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." To exist means; "To be" You can see the difference, right?
Good thinking Tyler. Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! Yeah, I can see the diff. So, if something doesn't "life", then it doesn't have the need to propagate? (i.e. a stone has no libido Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image!)
Although meaning is an arbitrary concept, as a human being just like everyone else I feel obligated to find it, define it, and live it. I am wired too. Even so, my philosophy on the meaning of life is currently evolving away from the crushing reductionism of objective science and more comfortably into the realms of romantic mysticism. Ironically, for more than a few reasons this personal conceptual revolution has inspired me to live out a healthier lifestyle for no more subtle a reason than I just feel better. Which is of course what evolution wants. It’s cute how even the language of this reasoning can be played with. By first admitting meaning to be nothing more than an arbitrary concept, then stating my distaste for big-picture reductionism science I am illustrating how no single way of looking at something rarely supplies a sufficient definition. I am a firm proponent of the dialectic. And a good dialectic to have fun with is human thinking patterns and the physical universe. The physical universe isn’t love is it? Is it inspiration? Logic? Skepticism? Not really, but looking at it through these lenses can go great lengths in our efforts to quantify it. Through these custom lenses of the psyche I can imagine a reality of great poetry, thriving in a mystery among mysteries, unfurled graceful and beautiful, dark archaic and woefully cruel: A living work of great art, art that can be observed in a palate of alien sensations and interacted with through the body. I do sincerely believe the universe to be as much the work of imagination as anything. It moves with such vitality and color, it created life, and life allows for human beings, and human beings allow for abstract ways of looking at things. It may not be a way of looking at reality that is ‘scientific’, but it is remarkably practical. It liberates the mind without denying the essence of our psychology, which I believe to be extremely important. Such evocative terms I use huh! In merely witnessing indirectly through the senses a mechanistic universe can be experienced with beautiful subjectivity, in light and precious experience. Humanity is creating its own art every moment of every day; it just takes shifting ones consciousnesses to a higher order too seize this view. There is no such thing as good or evil outside of our own discriminations. As human beings we are uniquely capable of ad venting entire civilizations, mythologies, psychologies, altered states, warfare, and romance among other things. This is our role in the cosmos. Ultimately nothing we ever do will be of any consequence, but if we can acknowledge the extraordinary nature of our very existence, then we shouldn’t care. There is enough presented to us in an hour of the day to keep an immortal fascinated for centuries. My philosophy works beautifully in theistic, metaphysical, and secular denominations of thought. If there is a higher, non-physical dimension of experience that is conducive to this one than it makes perfect sense that it should be so elusive. If we were all immortal, somewhat omniscient creative beings, then the possible uses of the physical make perfect sense. But of course imposing human pretenses on immortal entities is foolish. Who says being conscious is so necessary anyway? The trick is to recognize which thoughts are golden and which are strictly the result of our inherent silliness. Which is also impossible. The meaning of life is being.
