Devoid Tuesday, May 27, 2003: What is the meaning of life? The age old question, which frankly cannot be answered because of the very nature of the question. Life is lived on an individual basis, so its meaning differs more than it is unanymous. Some people may believe that life is a journey, but one with a definite destination, and that the purpose of life is to determine what happens to you after life is over. In this sense, life is really a test, to bring out your deepest characterts. Other believe that life itself is that most important thing, and that the journey overshadows that thought of any destination. In this case, life is not a test, nor does it have a purpose, it is just something you must do until the time comes when it must end. Many people fall into either of these categories, and many many more fall in-between. Unfortunately, they constantly cast stones at each other, as if to say, "You are wrong, and I am right." However, if life could have a positive definition, I would shudder to think that this was it, and endless war that can never be won. Because, as I have stated previously, life cannot have a singular meaning, because the ever growing plurality of man prevents it. If there were but a single human being on this planet, it might be possible to say that life was an absolute, but that would only be if this man was an absolutist, and most men are not. Men are though the most curious creatures on this planet, as no other species seems to care much about the meaaning of life, nor does it care to ponder how life came to be, or even consider the fact that it should pay homage to a creator. This is because most species on this planet are completely involved in the process of life in its purest form, which on this planet, unfortunately, happens to be kill or be killed. Eat or be eaten, and to take time to think about such things would defy the instinct to live. But once again, what does it mean to live? If you are a gazel on the african plains, and you see a cheetah racing towards you, most likely life will compel you to run, so that it can continue. This might lead one tho think that life is a symbiotic parasite, using humans as a host to carry out its own existence as well. But then, one must return to humans, and realize that life and death are not so simple for such a complex species. Life becomes more than just living or dying; it becomes a managerie of things, all specific to specific people. Some men are great, they seek success, and throughout their life it is what they find. But does this mean that they are alive if they must use everyone and everything they encounter to do it? Who is to say? Perhaps the man on the street, who was once a drug addict, and then a convict, who asks you for change is really the successful one, perhaps he is alive. He has seen men succeed, and he has been the victim of those who have sought to do nothing but this, so he has vowed never again to be part of this game. He has made his decision, and in order to not become one of those men, he must live in the favor of them. And though he sacrifices material things that they will not, I say he has a great deal more wisdom to choose to live his life in the way he does. Chris // 5/27/2003 ______________________ Comments: Post a Comment
What is the meaning of life? The age old question, which frankly cannot be answered because of the very nature of the question. Life is lived on an individual basis, so its meaning differs more than it is unanymous. Some people may believe that life is a journey, but one with a definite destination, and that the purpose of life is to determine what happens to you after life is over. In this sense, life is really a test, to bring out your deepest characterts. Other believe that life itself is that most important thing, and that the journey overshadows that thought of any destination. In this case, life is not a test, nor does it have a purpose, it is just something you must do until the time comes when it must end. Many people fall into either of these categories, and many many more fall in-between. Unfortunately, they constantly cast stones at each other, as if to say, "You are wrong, and I am right." However, if life could have a positive definition, I would shudder to think that this was it, and endless war that can never be won. Because, as I have stated previously, life cannot have a singular meaning, because the ever growing plurality of man prevents it. If there were but a single human being on this planet, it might be possible to say that life was an absolute, but that would only be if this man was an absolutist, and most men are not. Men are though the most curious creatures on this planet, as no other species seems to care much about the meaaning of life, nor does it care to ponder how life came to be, or even consider the fact that it should pay homage to a creator. This is because most species on this planet are completely involved in the process of life in its purest form, which on this planet, unfortunately, happens to be kill or be killed. Eat or be eaten, and to take time to think about such things would defy the instinct to live. But once again, what does it mean to live? If you are a gazel on the african plains, and you see a cheetah racing towards you, most likely life will compel you to run, so that it can continue. This might lead one tho think that life is a symbiotic parasite, using humans as a host to carry out its own existence as well. But then, one must return to humans, and realize that life and death are not so simple for such a complex species. Life becomes more than just living or dying; it becomes a managerie of things, all specific to specific people. Some men are great, they seek success, and throughout their life it is what they find. But does this mean that they are alive if they must use everyone and everything they encounter to do it? Who is to say? Perhaps the man on the street, who was once a drug addict, and then a convict, who asks you for change is really the successful one, perhaps he is alive. He has seen men succeed, and he has been the victim of those who have sought to do nothing but this, so he has vowed never again to be part of this game. He has made his decision, and in order to not become one of those men, he must live in the favor of them. And though he sacrifices material things that they will not, I say he has a great deal more wisdom to choose to live his life in the way he does. Chris // 5/27/2003
