Purpose: A response to Fringe Faith
July 2nd 2009 18:21
The following question was posed by Samaritan on Fringe Faith:
CLICKHERE to read the question in original context "What's Your Purpose?"
I think it is an interesting and important question. It is one of those defining questions that really highlights the philosophical differences between Theists and Atheists.
I am not speaking for all Atheists, I am just speaking for myself.
I am posting my response on my own blog mostly because of its length, I dont want to dominate the comments section of Fringe Faith, or agitate any of her regular contributors.
What is your purpose?
I dont think we have an individual pre-assigned purpose other than to simply enjoy our existence, as fleeting as it may be. I do however think that as a species we have are driven to replicate ourselves (pass on our genes). The purpose of our lives is to ensure our species does not die out. We should be contributing to the collective pool of knowledge in order to endure and outlast our environment.
When I say "replicate" I do not necessarily mean individual reproduction. Personal procreation is not essential to generational replication of the species. I mean fostering a safe and healthy environment where the next generation of humans (regardless of which individuals sire and bear them) can survive, flourish, and improve.
Our long term goals should be to extend the length and quality of individual lives with advances in medicine and technology, and to use science to figure out how to relocate from this planet before our sun dies.
Our medium term goal should be to maintain our planet as best as we can while we are stuck here, including preserving the other animals and the plants that make up the delicately balanced eco-systems.
Our short term goal (achievable in one lifetime) should be to either advance science and the knowledge pool, or facilitate those who do. To "facilitate" is open to interpretation, different people will consider different kinds of help more important than others. It may be as intangible as moral support entertainment or inspiration. It may be tangible like financial sponsorship or child rearing or education.
My self-designated individual purpose is to distribute information, to encourage others to think, to teach, and to lobby for a social environment where all people are equally empowered to contribute. Poverty, abuse, neglect, and discrimination only hinder our progress as a species. Holding people back, or excluding them, based on sexuality, gender, race, or economic status only reduces the amount of potential researchers and engineers and doctors we have contributing to the knowledge pool.
What are you aiming for?
Im aiming to add a bit of value. To improve the human experience for those who come after me. To contribute a few pages to the human encyclopedia. To help others contribute, improve, and add value too.
Is it something you hope to achieve in this life?
No, not particularly. I want to provide companionship for the friends I love. I want to laugh as much as possible before I die. I want to experience every opportunity I am presented with, without guilt or shame or fear or regret. These are all things I already do. My achievements are cumulative, every day I just add more to them.
And if so, do you really believe that will satisfy you? Or will you still be longing for more?
I am satisfied right now. If i died tomorrow I would not be aware that I am dead so it would not impact on the level of satisfaction I had immediately before I died.
One last thing . . .
Oh and just as a side issue, I dont think people become depressed or suicidal because they lack purpose. I think depression and suicide occur when and individual can no longer relate to those around them. When they feel like an outsider. When they are ostracised or excluded. When they have no strong personal bonds to ground them.
The feeling that noone can understand you is incredibly isolating, and without meaningful human relationships it is easy to start thinking "what's the point?"
If you are not enjoying your life on a day to day basis, and you can't see any way that will change, you will see no sense in prolonging the experience.
People born gay or transgender have much higher rates of suicide because they can struggle to assimilate with the rest of the community. They know they can't change who they are, and they can't change how others treat them.
People don't need the promise of god or the afterlife to be happy, they need real people in this life to accept them and welcome their contributions.
Theres a strong possibility that anyone who doesnt believe in God has already stopped reading. But if you are still with me, just ask yourself these questions. What is your purpose? What are you aiming for? Is it something you hope to achieve in this life? And if so, do you really believe that will satisfy you? Or will you still be longing for more?
CLICKHERE to read the question in original context "What's Your Purpose?"
I think it is an interesting and important question. It is one of those defining questions that really highlights the philosophical differences between Theists and Atheists.
I am not speaking for all Atheists, I am just speaking for myself.
I am posting my response on my own blog mostly because of its length, I dont want to dominate the comments section of Fringe Faith, or agitate any of her regular contributors.
What is your purpose?
I dont think we have an individual pre-assigned purpose other than to simply enjoy our existence, as fleeting as it may be. I do however think that as a species we have are driven to replicate ourselves (pass on our genes). The purpose of our lives is to ensure our species does not die out. We should be contributing to the collective pool of knowledge in order to endure and outlast our environment.
When I say "replicate" I do not necessarily mean individual reproduction. Personal procreation is not essential to generational replication of the species. I mean fostering a safe and healthy environment where the next generation of humans (regardless of which individuals sire and bear them) can survive, flourish, and improve.
Our long term goals should be to extend the length and quality of individual lives with advances in medicine and technology, and to use science to figure out how to relocate from this planet before our sun dies.
Our medium term goal should be to maintain our planet as best as we can while we are stuck here, including preserving the other animals and the plants that make up the delicately balanced eco-systems.
Our short term goal (achievable in one lifetime) should be to either advance science and the knowledge pool, or facilitate those who do. To "facilitate" is open to interpretation, different people will consider different kinds of help more important than others. It may be as intangible as moral support entertainment or inspiration. It may be tangible like financial sponsorship or child rearing or education.
My self-designated individual purpose is to distribute information, to encourage others to think, to teach, and to lobby for a social environment where all people are equally empowered to contribute. Poverty, abuse, neglect, and discrimination only hinder our progress as a species. Holding people back, or excluding them, based on sexuality, gender, race, or economic status only reduces the amount of potential researchers and engineers and doctors we have contributing to the knowledge pool.
What are you aiming for?
Im aiming to add a bit of value. To improve the human experience for those who come after me. To contribute a few pages to the human encyclopedia. To help others contribute, improve, and add value too.
Is it something you hope to achieve in this life?
No, not particularly. I want to provide companionship for the friends I love. I want to laugh as much as possible before I die. I want to experience every opportunity I am presented with, without guilt or shame or fear or regret. These are all things I already do. My achievements are cumulative, every day I just add more to them.
And if so, do you really believe that will satisfy you? Or will you still be longing for more?
I am satisfied right now. If i died tomorrow I would not be aware that I am dead so it would not impact on the level of satisfaction I had immediately before I died.
One last thing . . .
Oh and just as a side issue, I dont think people become depressed or suicidal because they lack purpose. I think depression and suicide occur when and individual can no longer relate to those around them. When they feel like an outsider. When they are ostracised or excluded. When they have no strong personal bonds to ground them.
The feeling that noone can understand you is incredibly isolating, and without meaningful human relationships it is easy to start thinking "what's the point?"
If you are not enjoying your life on a day to day basis, and you can't see any way that will change, you will see no sense in prolonging the experience.
People born gay or transgender have much higher rates of suicide because they can struggle to assimilate with the rest of the community. They know they can't change who they are, and they can't change how others treat them.
People don't need the promise of god or the afterlife to be happy, they need real people in this life to accept them and welcome their contributions.
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