Does Life Require Purpose?

[Stanyon]

Probably animals cannot see beyond basic needs of eating and sensual gratification/fulfilment.

What else is there? Fictions and fairytales of invisible things produced by demented minds that befuddled the masses and give false hopes and condemnations to those who accept them.
I imagine it is based overall on the fear that in the end none of it may really matter.

 

[atanu]

What else is there? Fictions and fairytales of invisible things produced by demented minds that befuddled the masses and give false hopes and condemnations to those who accept them.
I imagine it is based overall on the fear that in the end none of it may really matter.

Why humans take so much pains?

 

[sooda]

There have been a couple of threads created recently asking about purpose. In one, I asked views and opinions about the purpose of our physical existence, and in another a poster asked about the purpose of reincarnation, if it does indeed exist.

It seems to me that many seek some sort of purpose and explanation for things they experience, and it is my opinion that one of reasons for religion is to find a purpose for their existence.

Do you need to believe there must be some purpose for your existence in order to be content? What does your religion teach about the necessity of purpose? Can one just experience without an explanation as to why and be fulfilled?

I think purpose is rather fluid over a lifetime. Getting your education.. then raising family.. career goals.. developing as an artist (or cook or writer or photographer or gardener)

Maybe being a grandmother or taking care of elderly parents... or volunteering at a soup kitchen.

I paint now and plant morning glories and moon flowers on chainlink fences.

I have a friend who knits booties and caps for children at cancer hospitals.. I think the possibilities re endless, but it should be something you like to do even if it Mahjong or Bridge or poker.

 

[Erebus]

There have been a couple of threads created recently asking about purpose. In one, I asked views and opinions about the purpose of our physical existence, and in another a poster asked about the purpose of reincarnation, if it does indeed exist.

It seems to me that many seek some sort of purpose and explanation for things they experience, and it is my opinion that one of reasons for religion is to find a purpose for their existence.

Do you need to believe there must be some purpose for your existence in order to be content? What does your religion teach about the necessity of purpose? Can one just experience without an explanation as to why and be fulfilled?

I don't believe in any grand plan for existence or that our lives have any sort of objective meaning or value. Those things are determined on a personal level and are ultimately unavoidable. We usually find a reason to get out of bed and do things, even if our only aim is to get through another day or to stave off boredom. Even the most basic processes of life devoid of any particular ambitions, hobbies, callings or obsessions has purpose from an individual point of view. At its most basic, that purpose can be summed up as, "I'd rather not be dead."

Beyond that base level, without which we would either cease to function or kill ourselves, are the things that people consciously ascribe meaning to. That could be caring for loved ones, being productive, engaging in hobbies or something else that a person values. It doesn't have to be wholesome mind you, serial killing seems to be as much a purpose for some people as raising a child is for others. No matter what it is, people will find some niche to fill that gives their life (from their own perspective) meaning.

 

[atanu]

It seems to me that many seek some sort of purpose and explanation for things they experience, and it is my opinion that one of reasons for religion is to find a purpose for their existence.

Reason for one's existence may be inscrutable but psychologists do posit 'Need Theory'. One famous idea is of 'Three Needs' theory proposed by David Mclelland.

Need theory - Wikipedia

The theory proposes that we all have three types of motivation: power, achievement, and affiliation, regardless of age, sex, race, or culture and unique mix of these characterise individuals.

But one may further ask why one should have motivation for power, or achievement, or affiliation? Why? The answer will be "We all seek happiness in different ways".

Do you need to believe there must be some purpose for your existence in order to be content? What does your religion teach about the necessity of purpose? Can one just experience without an explanation as to why and be fulfilled?

As per my religion, the reality is the self of unbroken bliss and the purpose is just to be - seemingly simple yet almost impossible.

 

[Muffled]

There have been a couple of threads created recently asking about purpose. In one, I asked views and opinions about the purpose of our physical existence, and in another a poster asked about the purpose of reincarnation, if it does indeed exist.

It seems to me that many seek some sort of purpose and explanation for things they experience, and it is my opinion that one of reasons for religion is to find a purpose for their existence.

Do you need to believe there must be some purpose for your existence in order to be content? What does your religion teach about the necessity of purpose? Can one just experience without an explanation as to why and be fulfilled?

I believe it sounds like you think contentment is a purpose. I believe we were created by God and that He wants us to have life on earth in a physical body. So I exist because God wants it that way. Is that a purpose?

I believe it is part of our inquisitive nature to want to know why. However I am willing to live without an answer and simply enjoy life.

 

[Muffled]

Does life require purpose? Require it, no, but it's a good idea. It provides a direction goal vs wandering around aimlessly.

Does one need a purpose to be happy/content? No. In my experience, happiness is a state of mind. Individuals can learn how to control their state of mind regardless of external circumstances. I see no necessary connection between the two ideas. However, there are many who allow their state of mind to be controlled by external circumstances.

I don't know, I don't think having a purpose of being happy is actually the way to achieve that goal. I suppose it might keep you busy and out of trouble though.

I believe that is a different question than: "does existence require a purpose." I believe God has a purpose for each person having a physical life. I believe having a pupose in life makes death more difficult. For instance I want to read all my books but I probbly don't have enough time to do it. If I am re-incarnated I will have to re-read books because I won't remember having read them before. If the Kingdom Comes, the end of the world will wipe out all the books so there won't be any to read.

 

[Muffled]

Moral Progress is the Purpose of Life

Conditional premise 1. Life has a purpose
;
Conditional premise 2. Life hasn't been operating in a failure mode;

Conclusion 1. Therefore, life's purpose should be evident by now.

P3 Humanity has been making moral progress (see link)

P4 Moral progress is logically linked to the survival of our species (as we become kinder people the chances of our species surviving get better)

C2 When we make moral progress the goal of our lives, we are aligned with the purpose of life and the survival of our species. We will be swimming with the current rather than against it.

Global Harmony is Inevitable

I believe it is likely that morality has improved with the advent of Christianity but as Christianity diminishes people tend to revert to sinful ways.

 

[joe1776]

I believe it is likely that morality has improved with the advent of Christianity but as Christianity diminishes people tend to revert to sinful ways.

You seem to think that humans are in a moral decline. Most people would agree with you, but you're wrong. I authored a thread on the topic some time ago. Take a look at it.

Global Harmony is Inevitable

 

[SalixIncendium]

I believe it sounds like you think contentment is a purpose.

I believe you read something into my question that wasn't there.

 

[atanu]

There have been a couple of threads created recently asking about purpose. In one, I asked views and opinions about the purpose of our physical existence, and in another a poster asked about the purpose of reincarnation, if it does indeed exist.

It seems to me that many seek some sort of purpose and explanation for things they experience, and it is my opinion that one of reasons for religion is to find a purpose for their existence.

Do you need to believe there must be some purpose for your existence in order to be content? What does your religion teach about the necessity of purpose? Can one just experience without an explanation as to why and be fulfilled?

Reason for one's existence may be inscrutable but psychologists do posit 'Need Theory'. One famous idea is of 'Three Needs' theory proposed by David Mclelland.

Need theory - Wikipedia

The theory proposes that we all have three types of motivation: power, achievement, and affiliation, regardless of age, sex, race, or culture and unique mix of these characterise individuals.

But one may further ask why one should have motivation for power, or achievement, or affiliation? Why? The answer will be "We all seek happiness in different ways".

As per my religion, the reality is the self of unbroken bliss and the purpose is just to be - seemingly simple yet almost impossible.

As per Hinduism, there are four goals of human life: sensual enjoyment, earning money to enable sustenance of self and society, religious acts for sustenance of society, and moksha (to be freed of cycles of birth and death).

Puruṣārtha - Wikipedia