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Welcome !

This thread is devoted to the concept of searching for and defining the Meaning of Life. As usual, I will begin with as much vagueness as possible to allow the rest of you to lead the conversation before stating my own thoughts. 3nodding

I tend to lean toward Apotheosis, as outlined by the Renaissance. Theologians such as Pico, and Neoplatonically influenced artists such as Michaelengelo and Da Vinci.

This seems most in line with the Ante Nicean and earlier world thought on the potential of mankind, and from potential, a concept of purpose. The systems outlined in Nihilism, Materialism, Pessimism, Fatalism, and to a limited degree, Epicureanism are antipodal and thus Dichotomic to my own motivations.

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It is my belief, based on my religious education and physical experience, that humanity is a species completely separate from the rest of earth's natural balance. Humanity is the bane of Earth, in that whereas Earth's natural ecosystem to could survive and thrive indefinately, humanity consistantly feeds off of Earth's resources to it's detriment.
Why? Because Humanity is no longer part of Earth's perfect balance. Geneological study baffles scientists, who have come to the conclusion that man was not designed to be mortal. The human body is designed to thrive indefinitely, and yet some inexplicable factor makes man an enemy of time. The factor?
Imperfection. Humanity is imperfect. Biblical records show that humanity was once designed to live forever, but that their loyalty to their creator was challenged. Through Adam and Eve's rebellion sparked imperfection. The signs of humanity's awry nature manifest themselves all around us.
I believe that humanity was designed to live forever, and that our purpous in life is to earn that right back through diligent service and dedication to God. I believe that it is the nature of humanity to consistantly attempt to repair itself, to improve itself, to solve itself and study itself, because humanity on some level recognizes it's imperfection. Some people hate themselves, people live in dread of death, of aging. I believe that by drawing closer to a spiritual understanding, and building a relationship with our creator, we may in turn find solace in a dark world.

Evil is:

Acceleration:

Evil is:

Action


However, evil is niether of these things by themselves, nor singularly defined as a conjunction of these two terms. Therefore, we must elaborate on the meaning of Evil.

Evil begins with action which is contrary to the meaning of life. The word "meaning" is a poor choice of words, and fits more in a dictionary than philosophy text. Asking the meaning of something is asking for a description of its contents. Meaning does not imply "Why" and it does not imply "What then?".

So, we will rephrase and say "Evil is to act in opposition to the PURPOSE of LIFE". From this we then must qask "What is the Purpose of life?"

defining life is fairly easy. That which begins with consciousness, then begins in division of Choice, followed by Merit (right polarity), Liability (left polarity), and Decision or "Judgement" inbetween, like the center fulcrum on a scale.

This bascially means that there are consequences to Decisions. All of this still precludes life. The next step after "cause and effect" is defining "Similarity" and opposites. This is how we begin to define polarities (which is later used for the coneption of good, evil, love, and hate, hot and cold).

The next step is Relationships, between these concepts, a sort of center point on which the others can be compared. The next step is essentially, Measurement, and Ratio. This is where the concept of Music begins, and from music, a foundation of geometry. This sequence spreads in 4 directions of self referential mathematics we call the Phi or "Fibonacci" sequence.




it is from this system that we get the concept of Beauty. Thus from the procession of medium and non medium, of thesis, antithesis, we are able to have beauty and chaos. It is called "measuring", and it is by measuring, that we gain delusion. It is by placing finite precepts on that which is infinite, limits on that which is limitless, and contemplating ourselves as limited and finite, that we perish.

It is when we act opposite to the Nature which is without delusion of measurements, and of limitations, that we are able to commit atrocities. We we see ourselves as a pile of random acts of chaos, molecules, atoms, meat and flesh, for profit and gain, pleasure and lust, then we become even less significant than the conscious dirt beneath us. It is therefore, by perception that men and women act in Evil, and it is by Clear Perception of Truth, that the same men and women are able to act in Good.

to go any further from this point would require more preparation that this topic is meet to permit.

is that a question or a statement?

I believe we all have a purpose, and once that purpose is fulfilled, we die soon after. There is a way not to fulfill that purpose, i.e. suicide, death due to drugs(unless your example is your purpose),etc., but I think the consequences would be unbearable in the afterlife.

The meaning of life. Aw, heck, I'm just going to summarize my perception shortly. If I state it as fact, sorry. Anyway, I'm a bit short on time right now. That's why some of this might seem choppy and unexplained.

Well, first off, the world has to be balanced. In order for one person to succeed, another has to fail. For one to be rich, another has to be poor. You can't tear a buck in two.
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I know this may sound a tad cold, but it's either A or B...us or them. We live to look out for number one. It's the law of nature.
Humans live to die. They know this from birth...it's just a subconscious awareness. They fear death, no matter how fearless they seem, and eventually they will die.
This can lead us to infer that people try to make themselves immortal...in one sense or another. Look at all the megalomaniacs: Napolean, Alexander the great, Hitler, Kaiser Wilhelm, etc. They all wanted power and glory. The worst fate is to be forgotten, so they made sure they would go down in history.
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This leads us to another thing: there is no such thing as a selfless action. We ONLY do what we want. Nothing more. Say for example, your mother tells you to take out the trash. It smells nasty, and it looks like it's breathing, so you don't wanna touch it. Obviously, your mother starts swinging a 2x4 at your head, and you take it out.
You wanted to stay inside...but you wanted more to take the trash out and keep your head round.
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-Live for number one
-Want to be known
-No selfless actions.
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Again...short on time. I feel dumb, so I'll come back later to debate it, or what have you.