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Purpose

Pauliesonne said:
I remember reading in the Radio Times earlier this year, Jeremy Paxman speaking to Sir ( the icon, himself ) David Attenborough.

When he was asked if there was a purpose in life, he made it abundantly clear that there was none.

Now he didn't say why.

So I'm curious about your views on a "purpose in life".
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Before I read other responses, I'd like to point out that the burden of proof is on those claiming there is a purpose in life.

And we will, for now, consider that as being a cosmically special purpose, as opposed to a mundane, self-derived purpose like "staying alive because I'm driven to eat".

The latter is, of course, the only "real" thing that would exist. We create a purpose in the mundane sense.

I would also like to add that even a cosmically special purpose, ala religion, is really just a mundane purpose commanded by some superpowered entity. I would no longer derive any feeling of specialness were a god to exist, and demand my purpose is to Get Into Heaven or Help The Poor or Live a Good Life.
 
I've always been a little confused about why people feel that they need to have "purpose" in life. I don't feel that need. I don't feel the need to acknowledge something greater than I am, I don't feel disappointed or depressed at the thought of being a random collection of molecules brought together by chance and biology. I don't feel any need to have any kind of greater good to work towards, and I don't understand the people who do. What's wrong with just being?
 
I second arthwollipot's position. Why do we need a "purpose"? If one felt that he must "accomplish" something in life, then pick a goal and charge. Have fun. Feed the hungry, build a pyramid...Whatever turns you on.

I just built a cigar-box guitar. It sounds good.
 
Robin said:
Do you mean you have no problem creating your own purpose, or no problem with not having the opportunity to create your own purpose?
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I meant that I think everyone should create a purpose, or at least attempt to discover one.

I don't think the purpose of life needs to be some great, epic, affair, and it certainly doesn't have to be to follow some external purpose (i.e. "praising God" or some such affair.) Building a box guitar is a really cool purpose, especially if you play it and bring joy to yourself and others.
 
My purpose in life was to find a porpoise.

harbour_porpoise_pa470_470x303.jpg
 
Gate2501 said:
My purpose is to die an old man in a VR helmet with an IV drip of Mtn. Dew PvPing in a future MMORPG.
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I have a similar desire, except it's PvPing in a future MSORPG. I'll let you guess what the S stands for. :)


Here's a hint:

Preferrably as a S-slave to Mistress Bullock, who trades me around to her friends, Mistresses Jolie, Alba, Hathaway, and Lopez, where I am forced, forced to do things to them. Degrading things. Things that make me feel truly filthy.
 
I was going to post something all serious and whatever . . .

. . . . and then I read Beerina's post and decided I liked that idea better. Seconded! Although I might change a couple of the names. :P
 
Jimbo07 said:
A big part of not going to grad school was that I was told these two goals are mutually exclusive!

:D
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LOL.....That is because you have not mastered the art of a new technique called "sexual studying." It involves sex and studying at the same time.
 
Beerina said:
I have a similar desire, except it's PvPing in a future MSORPG. I'll let you guess what the S stands for. :)


Here's a hint:

Preferrably as a S-slave to Mistress Bullock, who trades me around to her friends, Mistresses Jolie, Alba, Hathaway, and Lopez, where I am forced, forced to do things to them. Degrading things. Things that make me feel truly filthy.
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Yeah forgot scarlett johannson :)
 
My goals in my life are my purpose.

As for a universal purpose, it's like Sagan said... "We are a way for the universe to know itself."
 
A special purpose? Didn't Navin Johnson (Steve Martin) have one of those in The Jerk?

Navin R. Johnson - random son of a bitch.
 
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