The meaning of life

This age old question was the topic of discussion at one of the philosopher's cafes.

There were a number of interesting ideas worth noting:

1.  Shula suggested that it may be a result of our having mental abilities that we ask this question because we can.  There may not be an answer to this question and that may be how it is.  Things are just is without a purpose or agenda behind it.

2.  The word "meaning" is often interpreted as "purpose".  When we look at man made objects,  the objects are made with a purpose in mind.  The can opener is made to open cans, the radio is made to receive broadcasts.  However, we should not apply this to non man made objects such as cats are meant to catch mice or dogs are meant to guard properties.  They may do that but no one made them for that purpose.  The religious will of course say there is a maker that arrange the universe just so and this supernatural being created everything with a purpose in mind.  For the religious,  the meaning and purpose in life is laid down in the "holy books" interpreted by the messengers of the supernatural.

3.  The moderator, Graham,  challenged us as to why we chose to live if we do not know the meaning of life. We can commit suicide anytime we want. Some mentioned that we did not have a choice about being conceived and born but we have the choice to end our life.  Not committing suicide keeps that option open and keep us convinced that we have free will and are in control (??!!)

4.  One lady offered that she had suicidal thoughts when she went through depression.  What prevented her from committing suicide at those few particular times is that she remembered that someone was depending on her to do something and she would let that person down if she committed suicide.  Another lady who said she had experience with suicidal people said that "nobody love or cared about me" is the most often heard reason for people contemplating suicide.  This leads to the conclusion that the meaning of life is love.  That we all need someone else's love and attention to give us meaning.  Another evidence of humans as social animal with herd instincts.

5.  One of the younger member of the participants offered that she is not ready to articulate what the meaning of life is as she does not have enough experience and knowledge to do so at this point.  To try to do so now will be too limiting.  She is keeping her senses open.  That is great perspective from a young person.  When will we be experienced enough to answer this question?  Why should we not leave this question open for another year?  What should we do about our life while this question is not answered?  Maybe it is alright to go through our whole life without answering this question?  Maybe finding the answer to this question is the meaning of life?

6.  Several people offered that life is full of things to enjoy, to find out.  It is so interesting that it is inconceivable to not want to live.  Graham said that we may not really want an answer.  For if there is a definitive answer to the question of the meaning of life,  then it may well be the end to the mystery of life.

7.  Since depression, which makes everything seem dark, worthless, and leads to suicidal thoughts,  Rafi thinks brain chemistry may be responsible for us feeling positive and wanting to live or negative and wanting to commit suicide.  However,  what causes the brain chemistry to change in the first place?  Is it a thought process or a biological bodily function kind of thing?

8.  Some one offered the concept of life force and that we are all being swept along by this force. We should recognize it and flow with it. Some do not agree with this metaphor while others feel that they are the ones that like to swim upstream instead of going with the flow.  I tend to think that it depends.  We should go with the flow for things that we cannot change, and work to change the things that we can.  Now if we can only differentiate these two groups reliably when we encounter them........

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