Is there any Universal Meaning to Life?

Falvlun said:

The part I bolded is simply scientifically incorrect. You are, of course, free to believe it as a philosophical point of view, but evolutionary biology does not support it. It is in fact a common misconception about evolution. Intelligence is no more preferred than echolocation or flight or photosynthesis or any other adaptation that allows an organism to thrive and reproduce in a particular environment.

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Um... how in the heck could you possibly know that?

I only know of one life system in the entire universe, that being the one here on our planet. How could you or any scientist possibly know what might go on in any other life system, much less the general rule for all life systems?

Are you sure you have a good understanding of what I've said?

AmbiguousGuy said:

Um... how in the heck could you possibly know that?

I only know of one life system in the entire universe, that being the one here on our planet. How could you or any scientist possibly know what might go on in any other life system, much less the general rule for all life systems?

Are you sure you have a good understanding of what I've said?

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I said that evolutionary biology does not support your assertion that development of intelligence is the over-arching goal of evolution.

If it's not true of the only system of life that we know of, then why should we assume it's true of systems of life that we don't?

If you don't believe that evolution is responsible for the development of life, then sure, all bets are off. I touched on this before when I mentioned that "philosophically" your opinion could be valid.

But yes, it is a misrepresentation of evolution to claim that its purpose is to develop intelligence.

Sunstone said:

Is there any universal meaning to life? That is, a meaning that holds true for everyone. What do you think?

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Glad to see you are still at it, Sunstone!

John Martin said:

I feel that there is universal meaning to life which can be applicable to all, provided people are ready to open to it.

The purpose of human existence is to unfold life.(unfolding is opposite to becoming). Unfolding comes from the unity of life. Life is one, truth is one and way of life is one. When we experience oneness with God and with one another then we discover that there is only one life. Then the movement of becoming comes to an end and unfolding begins. Unfolding comes from the fullness of life and becoming comes from the emptiness of our being, which creates an ego. In unfolding there is oneness with God and oneness with everyone and every creature. Whatever we do to others we do to ourselves. There is no God different from us and there are no others different from us. At one level we are one with God and another level we are one with others. This I see as the ultimate goal of our life and ultimate meaning of our life. Everything else is a preparation to it or oriented to it.

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Great perspective, John Martin.

Sunstone said:

Is there any universal meaning to life? That is, a meaning that holds true for everyone. What do you think?

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I assume it depends on how you define meaning.

If you make the definition wide enough, then maybe.

Maybe evolving and progressing as the human species, moving towards a common goal of becoming unified... Instead of being individualistic.

I wouldn't say an utopia but try to become the best humans we can be. Unleash our full potential. Just a thought.

Falvlun said:

I said that evolutionary biology does not support your assertion that development of intelligence is the over-arching goal of evolution.

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But since I made no such assertion, then I do not think your negation of my non-existant assertion is very relevent to the discussion. I have a hard enough time defending what I actually say. I can't defend things which others mistakenly claim that i've said.

If it's not true of the only system of life that we know of, then why should we assume it's true of systems of life that we don't?

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Everything that I have claimed is indeed true of our system, and I continue to be pretty sure that it will be true of other systems, as I described in my earlier messages. But let me know if you'd like me to review the fundamentals of evolutionary science with you.

If you don't believe that evolution is responsible for the development of life, then sure, all bets are off. I touched on this before when I mentioned that "philosophically" your opinion could be valid.

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You've lost me, as I apparently have lost you. My opinion is based on hard science, my observations of evolutionary science. If you disagree, please point to the spot in my words where you think I veered somehow from standard evolutionary science. I'll be happy to address any confusions you have about my positions.

But yes, it is a misrepresentation of evolution to claim that its purpose is to develop intelligence.

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If you hear someone claim that evolution's purpose is to develop intelligence, you might want to ask that person how evolution can have a purpose if it has no conscious will. People who have such strange beliefs about evolution should be subjected to hard questioning, I think.

Sunstone said:

Is there any universal meaning to life? That is, a meaning that holds true for everyone. What do you think?

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In short: no.
At least in my opinion.