Hum Dum Dim Dum Why do I exist?

[Words]

Existentialism, to me, is a process of going from a state of naturally questioning "Why was I born?" to a question of no answer and then to a state of depression brought by the absence of answers. The philosophical devt of people tend to be pretty identical or following pattern. As one tries to break through no answers, one forms or realizes that the answer is relative to yourself. "Whats your reason?" Or what reason do you wish it to be? Feel free to be creative. Feel free to break through mankind's limited ideas of what is human life.

But I am going to fight my existential purpose. My pedestal. My foundation. My core self-programming. My axiom. My single most important component of operation.

I wonder where this will take me. I would stop thinking about my meaning then why do I move at all? Mental conflict, I'm guessing. Living life again in incoherence. Burdening myself with a weak foundation for existence again. Chaos. Turmoil. And this is all for the idea of "opportunity" when my meaning believes in the principle that I, the agent, am the source of opportunity and not vice versa. Power is never the existence, but it's always there bothering. Trying to gain attention. Trying to distract. And i allow it to consume me because my reason and probability tells me to. And I am obedient to my reason more than my meaning. I question this prioritization sometimes. Why think about "how?" when it is not subservient to the "why?" Does the "how" envelop so much of reality that it can overtake the "why?" Or is there a distinction even? We don't really explain whys fundamentally because there is no mechanism...dig and dig and dug.

 

[Bock]

[bimg]https://i.warosu.org/data/lit/img/0046/15/1393565343740.jpg[/bimg]

(how do you embed an image without it taking up the whole screen?)

 

[Cognisant]

Why ask why?

Because you want a solution, all of philosophy seems to be an attempt to reduce the complexity of life to a simple answer, you want meaning because meaning will give you purpose and a purpose can be achieved, life is a problem and you want the solution.

What do you want? Just think about it.
When you know what you want then you have a purpose, it may not be meaningful but who gives a shit it's your purpose and nobody has any right to say otherwise.

Decide what you want and go for it.

 

[Words]

https://i.warosu.org/data/lit/img/0046/15/1393565343740.jpg

(how do you embed an image without it taking up the whole screen?)

Why ask why?

Why ask why ask?

Why do give so much attention to the mechanisms of life?

 

[StevenM]

Does this mean anything to you?

I sometimes go through similar things, and I think that(above) may play a part in it.

 

[doncarlzone]

Existentialism, to me, is a process of going from a state of naturally questioning "Why was I born?" to a question of no answer and then to a state of depression brought by the absence of answers. The philosophical devt of people tend to be pretty identical or following pattern. As one tries to break through no answers, one forms or realizes that the answer is relative to yourself. "Whats your reason?" Or what reason do you wish it to be? Feel free to be creative. Feel free to break through mankind's limited ideas of what is human life.

But I am going to fight my existential purpose. My pedestal. My foundation. My core self-programming. My axiom. My single most important component of operation.

I wonder where this will take me. I would stop thinking about my meaning then why do I move at all? Mental conflict, I'm guessing. Living life again in incoherence. Burdening myself with a weak foundation for existence again. Chaos. Turmoil. And this is all for the idea of "opportunity" when my meaning believes in the principle that I, the agent, am the source of opportunity and not vice versa. Power is never the existence, but it's always there bothering. Trying to gain attention. Trying to distract. And i allow it to consume me because my reason and probability tells me to. And I am obedient to my reason more than my meaning. I question this prioritization sometimes. Why think about "how?" when it is not subservient to the "why?" Does the "how" envelop so much of reality that it can overtake the "why?" Or is there a distinction even? We don't really explain whys fundamentally because there is no mechanism...dig and dig and dug.

Interesting. Could you elaborate on your "distinction" between reason and meaning, why and how?

"Those seeking to supply their lives with meaning usually envision a role or function in something larger than themselves. They therefore seek fulfillment in service to society, the state, the revolution, the progress of history, the advance of science, or religion and the glory of God. But a role in some larger enterprise cannot confer significance unless that enterprise is itself significant. And its significance must come back to what we can understand, or it will not even appear to give us what we are seeking. If we learned that we were being raised to provide food for other creatures fond of human flesh, who planned to turn us into cutlets before we got too stringy - even if we learned that the human race had been developed by animal breeders precisely for this purpose - that would still not give our lives meaning, for two reasons. First, we would still be in the dark as to the significance of the lives of those other beings; second, although we might acknowledge that this culinary role would make our lives meaningful to them, it is not clear how it would make them meaningful to us." - Thomas Nagel

 

[ASquare183]

But to a Nihilist, there is no solution to "why"; existential purpose does not exist (in their perspective).

 

[Words]

Does this mean anything to you?

I sometimes go through similar things, and I think that(above) may play a part in it.

Not really. I don't care about finish or unfinish. I care if i care. Personal Meaning above all human tendencies, instincts and inclings. I think, I don't know.

Interesting. Could you elaborate on your "distinction" between reason and meaning, why and how?

I don't know, but there is a lot to be said. Humans generally overemphasize on the mechanisms of life. How life or meanings can be pursued. To have all mechanisms is to have all meaning catered to. If you've collected all the buttons and levers that cause anything to occur then you don't need to haste on pondering which button to push. You can push every button. Everything that caters to whatever chaotic, torrent of meanings, emotions, attachments, instincts, dispositions, and, most prevalently, socially conditioned values you follow. Why all this if all is needed is to select one.

"Those seeking to supply their lives with meaning usually envision a role or function in something larger than themselves. They therefore seek fulfillment in service to society, the state, the revolution, the progress of history, the advance of science, or religion and the glory of God.

What about those not seeking to supply themselves with meaning? What's their rationale? To go through their whims structured by genetics and social values? Human life shouldn't be so boring. Fears. Cages.

I'm wondering about the data on this. How many people seeking greater meaning vs. not seeking. Ah, i wonder. Shouldnt the world be more diverse..If people followed personal meaning, then we would have a much more chaoticically unpredictable world.

But a role in some larger enterprise cannot confer significance unless that enterprise is itself significant. And its significance must come back to what we can understand, or it will not even appear to give us what we are seeking. If we learned that we were being raised to provide food for other creatures fond of human flesh, who planned to turn us into cutlets before we got too stringy - even if we learned that the human race had been developed by animal breeders precisely for this purpose - that would still not give our lives meaning, for two reasons. First, we would still be in the dark as to the significance of the lives of those other beings; second, although we might acknowledge that this culinary role would make our lives meaningful to them, it is not clear how it would make them meaningful to us." - Thomas Nagel

A roundabout way to reach the idea that meaning is relative?

But to a Nihilist, there is no solution to "why"; existential purpose does not exist (in their perspective).

There has always been a 'why' although its morelike a how. Biology. Brains etc. Why think in the first place? Purpose isn't about finding objective answers. Anyways, nihilist don't make sense.

 

[OrLevitate]

Answers, here?

 

[onesteptwostep]

I think it's a sad question. It's not like the people who live life to the fullest suddenly go "WOW life is so great! I love every moment of it! omg why do I exist?!?" what is my purpose in life?!?! what is humanities purpose?!? OMG so HAPPEH!"

It just doesn't work like that. I don't think it betters the quality of life. It's a meta-question only meant for entities outside our existence, if there be one. If we attempt to answer it, it'll either be relative or logically incoherent.

We are here, and we just have to make the best of it with what we have and can do. That is all. A better question which we could all level on is- what do you want to DO with your life.

 

[doncarlzone]

What about those not seeking to supply themselves with meaning? What's their rationale? To go through their whims structured by genetics and social values? Human life shouldn't be so boring. Fears. Cages.

I agree, however, I would argue that we all live our lives as if they have meaning.
Living mindlessly by preexisting social constructions and values is just another way of supplying one's life with meaning. This is not to say that we all know the "meaning" or purpose that we live according to - most people just live according to superficial aspirations without knowing the origins of those aspirations. If the implications, of that which you ignorantly aspire to, are something which you would reject had you been aware - then of course it could be problematic.

A roundabout way to reach the idea that meaning is relative?

In a way yes. Or he is suggesting that, that which we seek (meaning in an absolute sense) is not even imaginable - and thus the way in which we seek to escape absurdity is in itself absurd.

There has always been a 'why' although its morelike a how. Biology. Brains etc. Why think in the first place? Purpose isn't about finding objective answers. Anyways, nihilist don't make sense.

+1

 

[Jennywocky]

I think it's a sad question. It's not like the people who live life to the fullest suddenly go "WOW life is so great! I love every moment of it! omg why do I exist?!?" what is my purpose in life?!?! what is humanities purpose?!? OMG so HAPPEH!"

It just doesn't work like that. I don't think it betters the quality of life. It's a meta-question only meant for entities outside our existence, if there be one. If we attempt to answer it, it'll either be relative or logically incoherent.

We are here, and we just have to make the best of it with what we have and can do. That is all. A better question which we could all level on is- what do you want to DO with your life.

Ultimately, sure, in the end, it's still, "What am I going to do that leaves me with some degree of happiness/fulfillment in the time I have?"

But some people are consciously more aware of that question and need more of a conscious answer to it than others do. Some people meta, others don't. So some are going to mull over it more by nature and NEEDS to.

The big problem is when you insist you need to have a very specific answer to the question before choosing to do anything at all -- you've just damned yourself to a life of empty stagnancy -- whereas often in life the "doing" stems from primal unconscious desire or by exploring various pursuits and goals and thus triggering that sense of "Yes, this means something to me" or "No, this really sucks and I don't want to do this anymore."

 

[marv]

There is answer but it's too complicated for us humans, nihilism and depression is the way of übermenscen sadly, at least you are not totally alone.

 

[Words]

Answers, here?

Not "psychological." Psychology is theoretical. "Value" is the aribtrary yet real firing of neurons.

I agree, however, I would argue that we all live our lives as if they have meaning.
Living mindlessly by preexisting social constructions and values is just another way of supplying one's life with meaning. This is not to say that we all know the "meaning" or purpose that we live according to - most people just live according to superficial aspirations without knowing the origins of those aspirations. If the implications, of that which you ignorantly aspire to, are something which you would reject had you been aware - then of course it could be problematic.

Surely, that would eventually affect the optimization of your mental energy. It's a system where there there's internal conflicts that prevent full energy or focus. Internal unknown contradictions within.

In a way yes. Or he is suggesting that, that which we seek (meaning in an absolute sense) is not even imaginable - and thus the way in which we seek to escape absurdity is in itself absurd.

I reckon the idea of "absolute + meaning" is the real absurdity here. "Absurdity" is relative. The very idea of "meaning" is subjective. From a coherence standpoint, You can have absolute meaning that is subjective but absolute as in objective is no different from stating that 1 = 2.

 

[doncarlzone]

I reckon the idea of "absolute + meaning" is the real absurdity here. "Absurdity" is relative. The very idea of "meaning" is subjective. From a coherence standpoint, You can have absolute meaning that is subjective but absolute as in objective is no different from stating that 1 = 2.

Makes sense. So what is your take on absolute subjective meaning? Suppose I devote myself to a cause - would I be able to make that distinction between the subjective and the objective? When considering a meaning - are we not attempting to bridge the gap between the subjective and the objective? How can we not?

Now clearly, we can both agree that it is not possible, but do we truly believe that when we engage in the world? When we devote ourselves with passion and seriousness to something, can we at the same time say that it has no objective validity? Isn't it the "illusion" of objective validity and meaning that drives us? Or is there a distinction here I'm missing?

Take Kierkegaard's example of subjective devotion:

"For Kierkegaard, it is clearly subjective truth that counts in life. How we believe matters much more than what we believe, since the "passionate inwardness" of subjective adherence is the only way to deal with our anxiety. Passionate attachment to a palpable falsehood, Kierkegaard supposed, is preferable to detached conviction of the obvious truth. Mild acceptance of traditional, institutional religion is useless, since god's existence can only be appreciated on wholly subjective grounds."
- http://www.philosophypages.com/hy/5t.htm

My take here is that, even if I wanted to subjectively believe as Kierkegaard did, I wouldn't be able to, as I cannot objectively justify such a belief. Now one could repeat that it is not an objective belief but could I ever deliberately separate the two? If you deeply love someone, would you say that you only love that person on a subjective level? Wouldn't you think that, that person has a holistic objective value regardless of how stupid it may sound to others?

Question being, can we subjectively separate subjectivity and objectivity when considering existential questions?

 

[ProxyAmenRa]

You do exist and there does not need to be a reason for it.

 

[somebodiesfool]

Doesn't your question predicate no free will. Like you were born for a purpose and to fulfill that purpose with no choice one way or another in the matter.

If looking for meaning in life why not follow the teaching and philosophy of sages, saints, and other people that found higher level truths.

 

[k9b4]

to have as much babies as possible

the penis goes in the vagina my friends

if u dont know what a penis is have a look at my avatar. thats a penis

and i just ate a hamburger

 

[Grayman]

to have as much babies as possible

the penis goes in the vagina my friends

if u dont know what a penis is have a look at my avatar. thats a penis

and i just ate a hamburger

I don't know if you used yours a reference but if you did, you may want to see a doctor.

 

[peoplesuck]

if u want a reason just join a religion thats why most people join em.knowingly or not, at least thats my theory..
:dontbelive:

 

[k9b4]

I don't know if you used yours a reference but if you did, you may want to see a doctor.

is ur mum a doctor?

 

[Brontosaurie]

is ur mum a doctor?

you were kinda funny in the beginning. now you suck.

just thought you might wanna know.

 

[k9b4]

you were kinda funny in the beginning. now you suck.

just thought you might wanna know.

but its funny to me

ur mum sucks

 

[Brontosaurie]

but its funny to me

ur mum sucks

sure man

(i know you care)

 

[k9b4]

sure man

(i know you care)

ok u got me