There is no known meaning of life that we can all agree on as a species, as everyone has a different answer to the question “What is the meaning of life?”. So I would like to read your answers to this open ended question.
To moderators, sorry if this is the wrong place to post this!
Biologically: Survive and reproduce. That’s it.
On a personal-more-practical level: Maximize enjoyment for self and others, reduce harm for self and others, and live as long as possible.
Yup. That’s all Mother Nature programmed us for.
I’d like to think humans have gotten a little away from that simplest paradigm though. Although then we get into what’s important to a given person. Everyone will have different opinions on it so not sure there is an “answer” to this.
So, I really think there is only one answer:
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I don’t believe there is anyone guiding the Universe.
Therefore (as Velocity said) species simply aim to survive and reproduce.
P.S. When I saw your thread title, I instantly thought of this:
The meaning of life is to become who you are.
Take care of my family members and become the best musician possible. First and foremost my job is to make life easier for all those I love. Second I’ve been playing piano since I was 6 years old. I told myself when I was a little boy that I would do everything in my power to master this instrument and I’m pretty close to doing it, I think if given just one more lifetime and I can finally have it all down!
First point: absolutely agree.
Second point: yes. But ultimately, life has whatever meaning you give it. There’s no inherent meaning to life. Objectively, life is neither a gift nor a curse. It’s just a biological reality. Subjectively, it’s up to you to give meaning to your own life (and to give it whatever meaning you see fit) and there’s nothing wrong with that. (as long as the meaning you give your life does not involve fulfilling it by harming others or the world around you).
“What is the meaning of life?” is in fact a whole cluster of possible questions. People may tend to give a teleological reading to this question but other interpretations are also possible: existential, axiological, ethical, pragmatic, religious, and so on.
My imagination is the best place I’ve ever been, so I prefer a narrative interpretation.
This essentially would be my answer.
Biological imperatives aside, and philosophically speaking, the question “What is the meaning of life?”, is basically meaningless. And I don’t mean that in a negative way.
The greatest currency that any of us have is time. What do you value? What do you choose to spend it on? Life isn’t a multiple choice question. And there are no right or wrong answers.
Leave it better than you found it.
Come on, someone had to say it.
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry put it better than I could:
You’re going to die; try to find something you believe is worth dying for. You’re going to live until then; try to find something you believe is worth living for.
We have to make everything better.
We - yup, all of us.
Have to - it’s a compulsion, not a choice.
Make - do, not just talk about it.
Everything - well, kittens are perfect, but all else needs work.
Better - this is where it gets complicated…
For me…
Keep learning and have fun.
Another formulation would be: Make my life a work of art.
I just try to get through each day – whatever that adds up to, I dunno.
I took a single semester course in college on “The Meaning of Life” (literally) from Robert Nozick (Anarchy, State & Utopia). While I didn’t have any shocking self-revelatory moments, I remember being fascinated by the idea(s) of life as a “signifier.” Most other students seem to be thinking more along the line of “purpose.”
It was a good course. Great reading list, as I recall.
To be a lifelong learner, to mature emotionally, to gain wisdom, and to find a meaningful purpose for my life.
Someone did say it.
To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of their women.
What if all my enemies are women and I want to hear the lamentations of their men?