# According to you, what is the meaning of life? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [August 28, 2026, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-you-what-is-the-meaning-of-life/1032620 "2026-08-28T06:32:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Xarrot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xarrot/32/21728_2.png) [@Xarrot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Xarrot)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 6:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-you-what-is-the-meaning-of-life/1032620/1 "2026-08-28T06:32:36Z")
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! ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 6:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-you-what-is-the-meaning-of-life/1032620/2 "2026-08-28T06:41:46Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-you-what-is-the-meaning-of-life/1032620/3 "2026-08-28T06:58:15Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Biologically: Survive and reproduce. That’s it. 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: 42 ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 8:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-you-what-is-the-meaning-of-life/1032620/4 "2026-08-28T08:39:22Z")
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 (1983) - IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085959/) ---
**Author:** ![Toxylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 9:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-you-what-is-the-meaning-of-life/1032620/5 "2026-08-28T09:07:23Z")
The meaning of life is to become who you are. ---
**Author:** ![StringsandHammers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/stringsandhammers/32/17933_2.png) [@StringsandHammers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/StringsandHammers)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-you-what-is-the-meaning-of-life/1032620/6 "2026-08-28T09:09:19Z")
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! ---
**Author:** ![themapleleaf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/themapleleaf/32/14349_2.png) [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 9:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-you-what-is-the-meaning-of-life/1032620/7 "2026-08-28T09:18:39Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > 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. 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). ---
**Author:** ![PlaceboTarget](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/placebotarget/32/1073_2.png) [@PlaceboTarget](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PlaceboTarget)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-you-what-is-the-meaning-of-life/1032620/8 "2026-08-28T09:21:45Z")
“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. ---
**Author:** ![Jihi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jihi/32/17768_2.png) [@Jihi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jihi)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-you-what-is-the-meaning-of-life/1032620/9 "2026-08-28T09:52:01Z")
> [@themapleleaf](#): > > But ultimately, life has whatever meaning you give it. 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. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-you-what-is-the-meaning-of-life/1032620/10 "2026-08-28T10:00:27Z")
Leave it better than you found it. ---
**Author:** ![psychobunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/54ee81/32.png) [@psychobunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/psychobunny)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 10:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-you-what-is-the-meaning-of-life/1032620/11 "2026-08-28T10:19:01Z")
1. Come on, someone had to say it. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_other_waldo_pepper/32/12370_2.png) [@The\_Other\_Waldo\_Pepper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Other_Waldo_Pepper)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 11:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-you-what-is-the-meaning-of-life/1032620/12 "2026-08-28T11:01:12Z")
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry put it better than I could: > [@](#): > > Your son is in a burning house. Nobody can hold you back. You may burn up, but what do you think of that? You are ready to bequeath the rags of your body to any man who will take them. You discover that what you set so much store by is trash. You would sell your hand, if need be, to give a hand to a friend. It is in your act that you exist, not in your body. Your act is yourself, and there is no other you. Your body belongs to you: it is not you. > > Are you about to strike an enemy? No threat of bodily harm can hold you back. You? It is the death of your enemy that is you. You? It is the rescue of your child that is you. In that moment you exchange yourself against something else; and you have no feeling that you lost by the exchange. Your members? Tools. A tool snaps in your hand: how important is that tool? You exchange yourself against the death of your enemy, the rescue of your child, the recovery of your patient, the perfection of your theorem. > > Here is a pilot of my Group, wounded and dying. A true citation in general orders would read: “Called out to his observer, _‘They’ve got me! Beat it! And for God’s sake, don’t lose those notes!’_ ” What matters is the notes, the child, the patient, the theorem. Your true significance becomes dazzlingly evident. Your true name is duty, hatred, love, child, theorem. There is no other you than this. 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. ---
**Author:** ![vbob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vbob/32/4439_2.png) [@vbob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vbob)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-you-what-is-the-meaning-of-life/1032620/13 "2026-08-28T11:04:27Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > Leave it better than you found it. 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… ---
**Author:** ![Llama\_Llogophile](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@Llama\_Llogophile](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Llama_Llogophile)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-you-what-is-the-meaning-of-life/1032620/14 "2026-08-28T11:35:48Z")
For me… Keep learning and have fun. Another formulation would be: Make my life a work of art. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-you-what-is-the-meaning-of-life/1032620/15 "2026-08-28T11:44:49Z")
I just try to get through each day – whatever that adds up to, I dunno. ---
**Author:** ![ZonexandScout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zonexandscout/32/544_2.png) [@ZonexandScout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZonexandScout)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-you-what-is-the-meaning-of-life/1032620/16 "2026-08-28T12:55:12Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 1:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-you-what-is-the-meaning-of-life/1032620/17 "2026-08-28T13:00:18Z")
To be a lifelong learner, to mature emotionally, to gain wisdom, and to find a meaningful purpose for my life. ---
**Author:** ![Bumbershoot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bumbershoot/32/3428_2.png) [@Bumbershoot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bumbershoot)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-you-what-is-the-meaning-of-life/1032620/18 "2026-08-28T13:23:27Z")
> [@psychobunny](#): > > 42 > Come on, someone had to say it. Someone did say it. > [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > 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: > > 42 ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-you-what-is-the-meaning-of-life/1032620/19 "2026-08-28T13:25:50Z")
To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of their women. ---
**Author:** ![steronz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steronz/32/11765_2.png) [@steronz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steronz)\ **Post date:** [August 28, 2026, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-you-what-is-the-meaning-of-life/1032620/20 "2026-08-28T13:35:22Z")
What if all my enemies are women and I want to hear the lamentations of their men? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/according-to-you-what-is-the-meaning-of-life/1032620.md?page=2)