Humanitys Purpose (Atheist POV)

[Wyrm]

It does not follow that atheism leads to 'everything is meaningless', just as it doesn't follow that theism leads to 'everything has a purpose'. What "meaning" means (if I may use this dodgy terminology) depends on how we define it. I could be a practitioner of a religion whose creator god zapped humanity into existence and said onto us, "I created you for the fuck of it. Do what you want, because your lives have no meaning in the universe."

Atheists can have meaning in their lives, which is whatever meaning they create for themselves, just as in this made-up religion, a theist can have no meaning in his life.

[Kamakazie Sith]

Life is what you make of it.

[l33telboi]

Apparently I'm the only one that thinks there should be something more.

Atheism rejects such notions. We exist because we were born, we were born due to biology.

Well yes, but what about an artificial purpose? I know since humanity is a bunch of individuals there can never be a unified purpose and goal, but if you'd been given the power to set this goal, what would it be?

[l33telboi]

But you phrased the question in such a way to imply there must be a purpose.

Then i blame it on my bad english. Existence without purpose is very real to atheists, i even said as much in my initial post, the 'there is no purpose everything is meaninless' bit.

Let me put it another way. If I wanted to know about Doctor House's bedside manner would I ask

a) whats Doctor House's bedside manner like? or
b) Why is Doctor House so rude?

Option b) already implies that you already know Doctor House bedside manner is rude. This is called a loaded question.

If you wanted to know whether there is a purpose and if so what is it, you frankly phrased it badly. I can only reply to what you typed, not what you wished you had typed.

I think you're reading a bit to much into a single sentence here. How about focusing on what the post was all about instead?

And just for the record our "purpose" is to exist. Of course I see the fact that we exist as a function of biology which in turn are dependent on physical laws, rather than because of any purpose (which implies some goal directed state, usually used in the context of intelligent directed goals).

What about an artificial goal or purpose then, if you were allowed to set a purpose or goal for humanity and everybody would have to follow, what would it be?

Frankly when people use the term right and wrong in this context they are meaning moral and immoral, not correct/incorrect or in terms of maximal utility. To suggests after the fact that you meant something else smacks of equivocation.

I'll give you that one, bad phrasing on my part. Though like i said, morality is not something i generally bother thinking about since i think of it as little more then a word. I can see how that could confuse the issue somewhat.

What i meant with right or wrong was more along the lines of "what brings us nearer to our goal" and "what draws us further from our goal". So when there is no goal, there can be no right or wrong.

[mr friendly guy]

What about an artificial goal or purpose then, if you were allowed to set a purpose or goal for humanity and everybody would have to follow, what would it be?

If you mean by artificial purpose = purpose in regard to achieving a goal, then this of course will vary with individuals. If you want a goal which tries to cover most of humanity, then I can only suggests the vague "improve standard of living". For me, my goals tend to generally only cover myself, and I wouldn't presume to speak for other people who will likely have different wants and hence goals from me. And its highly unlikely atheists will have similar goals, since we are linked not by a belief, but a lack of one.

Hope that one helps.

[Spyder]

Apparently I'm the only one that thinks there should be something more.

Atheism rejects such notions. We exist because we were born, we were born due to biology.

Well yes, but what about an artificial purpose? I know since humanity is a bunch of individuals there can never be a unified purpose and goal, but if you'd been given the power to set this goal, what would it be?

To make a better world where people are free to set their own goals.

[Elaro]

What's a good goal for humanity? Space colonization. Or the creation of a new sentient organism (preferably A.I.). Something to make our Universe a little less lonely.

[munky99999]

You know personally I've yet to come to any real for sure answers yet for alot of questions.

Should same-sex marriages be legal?
Why the hell should I care? It doesnt affect anything in my life, I'm not gay and I'm not aware of any of the people I know are gay. Let alone anyone interested in marriage. Let alone the fact that I believe it is legal in my province.

The same thing goes for "What is the meaning of life?"
Nobody can honestly know for sure; also what possible difference does it make if anyone were to give a definite priori answer?

The best answer I've read yet is this one from http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/ ... intro.html

"Isn't the whole of life completely pointless to an atheist?"
Perhaps it is to some, but still, many atheists live a purposeful life. They decide what they think gives meaning to life, and they pursue those goals. They try to make their lives count, not by wishing for eternal life, but by having an influence on other people who will live on. For example, an atheist may dedicate his life to political reform, in the hope of leaving his mark on history.

It is a natural human tendency to look for "meaning" or "purpose" in random events. However, it is by no means obvious that "life" is the sort of thing that has a "meaning."

To put it another way, not everything which looks like a question is actually a sensible thing to ask. Some atheists believe that asking "What is the meaning of life?" is as silly as asking "What is the meaning of a cup of coffee?." They believe that life has no purpose or meaning, it just is.

Also, if some sort of mystical external force is required to give one's existence a "meaning," surely that makes any hypothetical god's existence meaningless?

Personally I'm a fan of leaving my mark on history. My realistic plan is creating a bundle of cash like a couple million and create my own sort of research-grant system. Say for example I have $5million, i'd have probably 10% interest on it and with the $500,000 a year it funds research science on things like a very efficient and easy way to get blood out of someone without a needle. I'm fricken terrified of needles but I want to be able to give blood to the red cross or whatever but i dont because im terrified of needles. Or something or somehow to actually take health 20/20 or 20/10 eyes and make then even better.

MY more evil-dark side want to be the person who designs a bioweapon like vampirism. Design a virus which is transmitted through bodily fluids. HIV-AIDS anyone? but instead of screwing up the immune system make the person much like a vampire. Would be one hell of a funny thing to unleash on the world.

[Zor]

In my opinion there is no pre-set meaning to one's existance, we make out own path in life. Mankind as Individuals, groups, Civilizations and as a species give life our purpose(s), not some silly omnipotent beleif.

Zor

[B5B7]

We should also be asking what is the purpose of human life from the religious POV - now, the two highest orders of angels are Seraphim and Cherubim, so (not logically watertight) what they engage in may be considered the highest purpose - what do they do - they spend eternity in God's presence singing his praises [well at least they have job security ].

What do you think of doing that - no thank you.

We make our own purpose - and it's better, and NOBLER than what the Christians propose.

[munky99999]

that's kind of funny, something Ive played around with a couple time before.

Say for instance Catholicism is correct. This means every person who was not Catholic and all the catholics who didn't follow the minimums of:

Tithe 3%
pray 3 times a day
and goto church 3 times a year(2 at eastre, 1 christmas)

are all going to hell. the average person in hell will be pretty normal. Every scientist, every comedian, every person who drinks beer or liquer.

Whats that leave for heaven? A very small bunch of fundy crazy people nobody wants to speak to ever in their life. Not to mention all you'd do in heaven is praised God. Not to mention that 88% of rapists or well deathrow people are very religious to begin with.

So realllly. Which do you choose? Eternity in hell with interesting people having great fun? or eternity in heaven being completely bored out of your mind? Hell just seems so much better then heaven.

Though in reality, heaven and hell are completely illogical thing to believe in to begin with.

[K. A. Pital]

The purpose for me personally lies in building a better world today and for tomorrow, for my children and those coming after them. Humanity's self-purpose is the embetterment of own life. That's all, and there are no magic wands to help out, a better future is built by the people and ONLY by the people themselves. If all people of the world understood that, we'd live in a better world. Perhaps.

[Solauren]

Actual purpose; Reproduce, like all life.
Philosophical Purpose: None

[munky99999]

well for me, i cant fricken stand today's youth, so Im definately not having kids.

So with the millions that i save from not having retarded little kids singing punk pop music and crap. I'm going to start my own research-science grant thing. or fund the building of a hospital or something.

[FireNexus]

My purpose is to find the secret to immortality. Barring that, I'd like to be friends with the guy who does, or at least have enough money to pay him to give it up.

[munky99999]

My purpose is to find the secret to immortality. Barring that, I'd like to be friends with the guy who does, or at least have enough money to pay him to give it up.

Vampires are immortal! So are the borg.