I have come to ask myself this question quite a lot in the past few weeks, and my answer to this question is, "there is no meaning to life", and this has sent me into MANY spirals of depression.

Back to topic, what is the meaning of life to you?

God, Family, Love

In that order.

It's logically impossible to assign actual meaning to life. Good you figured it out. The existential crisis part you are feeling will eventually give way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQu_RRLbVDA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bt84uBuGKNk&feature=related

No real meaning to life itself. On the other hand, I do believe you should live life to the fullest, loving and cherishing all your friends, your family(the ones you care about). Try not to let opportunities slip you by, or you'll end up feeling regret later.

imo, there is no meaning to life because as natural as all may be with evolution and life forms, it's actually just an accident. If there was no water on earth, there probably wouldn't be any type of life at all here. So the meaning of life doesn't exist.

From my perspective life has no inherent meaning.

The word "inherent" is key however, and this is only one half of the equation. It is perhaps the revelatory half, but also the less important one. There may be no fundamental meaning to life or the universe that doesn't mean we can't apply meaning. Really, the meaning of life is what you do with it.



Quick moderation comment!

We do not allow religious discussion on the forums, and as such it is inappropriate to detail how ones religious beliefs inform their understanding of this question. It is not, however, inappropriate to say that their answer to this question comes from their religion, or from a divine source. While discussion can't stem from such assertions I don't want anyone to feel that they can't at least mention this.

People approach "the meaning of life" too often with foregone conclusions. You kind of pick an answer, and then try to explain it so that the answer is true. This is what happens when you start with "there is no meaning" and this is what happens when you star with "the meaning is particular to my religion" in not so many words.

Instead I like to ask this: Why should life have a meaning in the first place? What about life makes you think it needs to have a meaning? In effect it's like asking you what is best in life.

And we ALL know the answer to that question.

What is best in life? To crush your enemies, see them driven before you... and to hear the lamentation of their women! Therefore if what is best in life is the reason for what is the meaning of life, then the meaning of life must surely also be to crush your enemies, see them driven before you... and to hear the lamentation of their women!

All I know for certain is that the concept that there is no meaning to life is as absurd as the concept that there is a meaning to life.

In before 42 :tongue:

The meaning of life is a very personal question, I think. It's true meaning can only be found by yourself, and what others tell you can only guide you on your journey through life, not lead you to it's destination. I guess in its simplest form, the meaning of life is to do what is required of you at every moment in time, with an over all meaning of getting where you want to end up. Everyone has a different meaning in life, and its up to you to decide it. At least that's my take on it.

On a higher level, yes there isn't necessarily a "meaning" to life itself, at least not one that we have any way of comprehending at this point in our species evolution. In a more black and white fashion, you can only live life, or stop living life. The meaning is whatever you assign to it, but lacking in a higher purpose (most likely). But there are many philosophies, theories, spirituality, and more that all have a different interpretation of this shared consciousness called life. Pick one you like and stick with it, because no one can tell you otherwise and be right.

Personally, I don't think there is one. And I don't think there's anything after what I see as life.

Give it all you got. Dont let nobody hold you down. Enjoy while you can...

There is no meaning of life. Embrace that. Not having some pre-programmed meaning leaves you open to do whatever the hell you want with your life.

There is no "greater purpose" to life. Only what our senses can perceive is what is true, and we should live according to the doctrine that only that which is perceived by our senses is real.

Pursuit of world domination happiness. :shifty:

First answer: I see no meaning in life, and seem unable to comprehend either why people think it needs one and desperately search it out, or why the absence of one is somehow a reason to be depressed.

Second answer: The meaning of life is http://www.angryflower.com/ham.html.

Leaving something behind for those after you. Preferably something pleasant, of course. For animals that mostly means procreation, but mankind has evolved beyond that point long ago.

(Lisa) "I'm going to become a vegetarian."
(Homer) "Does that mean you're not going to eat any pork?"
"Yes."
"Bacon?"
"Yes Dad."
"Ham?"
"Dad, all those meats come from the same animal..."
"Right, Lisa, some wonderful, magical animal!"

I think the latest research suggests the meaning of life is 42.

From my personal experience:
The mystery of life has been revealed to me in pieces, pieces that make up a whole, a whole I couldn't see.
Unfortunately, the answers lead down a dangerous path, a path to death.
So for now, I am more than satisfied to live with life remaining a mystery.

Oh, the meaning of life can also be purchased in the form of self-help books for a reasonable price.

Time has always existed. The universe is infinite.

So, what is the meaning of life?

My answer is a question. What is not the meaning of life?

Under which circumstanses would you say 'I've wasted my life?'
[tonyrobbinsmode]If you approach it purely with logic, there are no such circumstances. But you still kinda want to do something, right? Everyone has crazy [censored] they wanna do. Do it. Do it because you can. Look for intrinsic value of an action. [/tonyrobbinsmode].
And I think the 'What not to do' part you already know. You're still alive, not in prison and stable psychologically(I wildly assume...).

Don't ask yourself why you are here, just enjoy the time that you have.