Meaning of Life.
Posted: Wed Dec 13, 2006 10:10 pm
The question is asked as follows: ‘What is the meaning of Life?’
This is a philological question requiring the definition of the word ‘Life’
So the answer is ‘A state of ceaseless change and functional activity peculiar to organised matter.’ Equally applicable to Einstein or a tree.
Another way of asking the same thing is, ‘What are we here for?’ Well that depends where we are at the time. If we are in Tesco’s/Wallmart it’s a fair bet we are here for shopping. ‘What’s it all about Eh?’ is a despairing sort of statement, not really needing an answer at all.
We have discovered that the question is difficult to ask, never mind the answer. The question also needs further qualification. For example. ‘If life on earth exists for a specific reason, other than the achievement of being, what is that purpose? Who sets the goal or goals? Is it a distant target or a continuous aim? ’ This question could be expanded ad infinitum, in which case posing the question becomes as hard to define as the answer itself.
Taking that phrase from our expanded question, ..... ‘achievement of being.’ We’ve done that, couldn’t help it. It may be then that the meaning of life is simply to live, as we were bound to do, given the circumstances. It is no coincidence that all species suit the Earth so well. It would have been impossible to evolve any other way. There are not many nitrogen breathers or ammonia swimmers on earth.
So my answer to the question is...... ‘To Live.’ This may be seen as a cop-out, a failure to address the deeper question. There is no deeper question.
‘To Live. Is that all?’ I hear you cry.
All! From Big Bang to Big Mac. From Primeval Ooze to Public Libraries.
It’ll do me. :-6
Peter
This is a philological question requiring the definition of the word ‘Life’
So the answer is ‘A state of ceaseless change and functional activity peculiar to organised matter.’ Equally applicable to Einstein or a tree.
Another way of asking the same thing is, ‘What are we here for?’ Well that depends where we are at the time. If we are in Tesco’s/Wallmart it’s a fair bet we are here for shopping. ‘What’s it all about Eh?’ is a despairing sort of statement, not really needing an answer at all.
We have discovered that the question is difficult to ask, never mind the answer. The question also needs further qualification. For example. ‘If life on earth exists for a specific reason, other than the achievement of being, what is that purpose? Who sets the goal or goals? Is it a distant target or a continuous aim? ’ This question could be expanded ad infinitum, in which case posing the question becomes as hard to define as the answer itself.
Taking that phrase from our expanded question, ..... ‘achievement of being.’ We’ve done that, couldn’t help it. It may be then that the meaning of life is simply to live, as we were bound to do, given the circumstances. It is no coincidence that all species suit the Earth so well. It would have been impossible to evolve any other way. There are not many nitrogen breathers or ammonia swimmers on earth.
So my answer to the question is...... ‘To Live.’ This may be seen as a cop-out, a failure to address the deeper question. There is no deeper question.
‘To Live. Is that all?’ I hear you cry.
All! From Big Bang to Big Mac. From Primeval Ooze to Public Libraries.
It’ll do me. :-6
Peter
