RoR: Forum

Like "the meaning of paint," the meaning of life is whatever I choose to make it mean. I am the artist, and my life is the canvas.

Ahhhh. I love the smell of turpentine in the morning.

NH

Post 21

Friday, June 24, 2005 - 8:25pm

Is there anybody else looking forward to the prospect of seeing Rick and Nate locked in a post together? ;^)

Post 22

Friday, June 24, 2005 - 9:04pm

Good for you, Robert M.!

Histrionic Alert: Robert, I felt your wonder, your elation, and your inner peace -- which came through in your words -- and it made my eyes water (I sensed how much she means to you).

Ed

Post 23

Friday, June 24, 2005 - 9:13pm

well, y'all didn't think we were going to stay in bed all the time, did ya?

Frankly, Robert, because of your absence, I confess that I had thought of something worse...remember our previous exchange about "Like water for chocolate"? ;-)

Post 24

Friday, June 24, 2005 - 9:16pm

The meaning of life is growth.

For non-sapient life, physical multiplication in number -- or dimension -- is the end which this life serves.

For sapient beings, growth occurs along a psychospiritual continuum. Growing, in this unique way, ignites and feeds the evolution of happiness ("noncontradictory joy"). Happiness is our barometer of personal growth.

You're either growing, or you're dying.

Ed

Edit: How am I doing, Rick?
(Edited by Ed Thompson
on 6/24, 9:20pm)

Post 25

Friday, June 24, 2005 - 9:29pm

Hah - how could I forget such a burning issue.........:-)

Post 26

Friday, June 24, 2005 - 9:31pm

Rick,

This is all very disappointing. Does nobody know the answer to this vital question?

You don't seem happy with anyone's answers. Why aren't you going after your right answer?

Sarah

(Edited by Sarah House
on 6/24, 9:32pm)

Post 27

Friday, June 24, 2005 - 9:41pm

Robert M,

Glad to see you back. I wish you and Cristina all the happiness you can get.

Makes me think about the meaning of life.

Michael

Post 28

Friday, June 24, 2005 - 9:48pm

Then by all means have the Kat bone you up on Monty Python........ and 'look on the bright side of life".......

Post 29

Friday, June 24, 2005 - 10:36pm

The meaning of life is that, without life, there would be no meaning!

Post 30

Friday, June 24, 2005 - 10:40pm

Sarah,-

2 rules to success in life:1. Don't tell people everything you know.

Is there anybody else looking forward to the prospect of seeing Rick and Nate locked in a post together? ;^)

I'll do what I can for you PC...

Like "the meaning of paint," the meaning of life is whatever I choose to make it mean. I am the artist, and my life is the canvas.

You're missing the point completely Nathan, at best. Like 'paint', 'life' has a metaphysical nature which is to be discovered- not created. The philosophical questions "what is paint" and "why should we partake of it" encapsulated in "What is the meaning of paint" can indeed be answered subjectively and solipsistically but not in this philosophy, laddie.

The meaning of life is growth.
Edit: How am I doing, Rick?

Most agreeable Ed- what I think you're saying, in a word, is 'eudiamonia'. There is far more to be said as to what is meant by this or by your 'growth' but your answer is as exact as the question required and only lacks one thing. If life is the proposition and, thanks to Ed, we now understand this proposition we also must know why should we partake of life? Only then will we be able to say we know the meaning of life.

And all of this is far removed from all those above who refuse to consider this very valid question objectively.

Finally...

What is the meaning of meaning?

Meaning is the consequence of fact. Meaning lets consciousness establish contact with reality, it is a method of survival popular amoung humans.

Now shower me with your sanction votes right away, everyone.

Post 31

Friday, June 24, 2005 - 10:48pm

Sanction votes? - lol....... wondered how you even got the first atlas, but then remember it goes with 10, and is so easy to con jure ten.....

psss - you partake to understand..........

(Edited by robert malcom on 6/24, 10:49pm)

Post 32

Friday, June 24, 2005 - 11:03pm

Rick Giles wrote:
Like "the meaning of paint," the meaning of life is whatever I choose to make it mean. I am the artist, and my life is the canvas.
You're missing the point completely Nathan, at best. Like 'paint', 'life' has a metaphysical nature which is to be discovered- not created. The philosophical questions "what is paint" and "why should we partake of it" encapsulated in "What is the meaning of paint" can indeed be answered subjectively and solipsistically but not in this philosophy, laddie.

Rick, laddie, the point has been missed, but I think not by me. I'll give you a hint: think metaPHOR and not metaPHYSICS.

Beyond that, I won't spoil the surprise. As for partaking of paint, I wouldn't--I hear that causes brain damage.

NH

Post 33

Saturday, June 25, 2005 - 12:05am

Rick asks, perhaps rhetorically: "why should we partake of life?"

Undoubtedly, this questions hangs on an answer to the more fundamental question bandied about -- about a "pre-moral" choice to live. My insights (immediately) thrust upon me a retort to the question: Can it be moral -- coming out of the gates, so to speak -- to choose NOT to experience? Answer: Not if life is growth.

If life is growth (as I proclaim), then the choice to live is not pre-moral -- as so many have (uncritically?) granted. If life is growth, then folks ought not choose otherwise, at least not from the outset (ie. without experiences of what is). It appears then that -- without contrary supporting evidence -- choosing to live IS moral (ie. choosing growth is choosing above the "zero" -- of which Rand spoke so negatively).

Euthenasia is not, thereby, prohibited -- as a personal, rational stock-taking is presumed to precede such a decision. But a decision from ignorance -- an "a priori" decision not to live -- is immoral. Choices ought not be made from ignorance of what it is that is possible to beings of unprecedented potentiality. Deciding to end your life is not something justifiable by whim, but by reason.

Abortion is not, thereby, prohibited -- as a personal, rational stock-taking is presumed to precede such a decision. Life trumps any mere potentiality. Actual life is what provides both meaning and value. If there were no actual life -- there would be no actual value.

I may be out on a limb here, but the branch appears strong.

Ed

Post 34

Saturday, June 25, 2005 - 4:44am

Saturday, June 25, 2005 - 5:31am

Go to head of class, Ed - u be getting it ok........

Post 36

Saturday, June 25, 2005 - 6:44am

All of those typical "what is the meaning of...place any intangible, wholly personal concept here" questions always make me think of those old time mystic philosophers. Although I KNOW this isn't in the spirit of the question, the question's been poisoned by thousands of years of mystical treatment, and a few decades of good natured humor.
(An old monk sitting in the lotus position on the top of an obscure mountain, sought out by "truth seekers," who risk life and limb to find him, etc. etc.)

Bill Murray's definition of the "meaning of life" in Caddy Shack:
"The Dali Dali Lama told me that on my death bed, I'd receive total consciousness. So I've got that going for me."

For me, life just "is." It's individual meaning often changes during during one's lifetime.

Teresa

Post 37

Saturday, June 25, 2005 - 8:35am

Rick,

2 rules to success in life:1. Don't tell people everything you know.

And so instead of doing something useful you just bug the hell out of everyone that disagrees with you? In some of your posts I've read I find myself agreeing with your points (not this thread, but others) but I can't seem to bring myself to argue on the side of someone who reminds me of the Cheshire cat.

Sarah

(Edited by Sarah House
on 6/25, 8:36am)

Post 38

Saturday, June 25, 2005 - 9:54am

Indeed, life 'simply is'.. and purpose, which is confined to sapiency, is whatever that particular sapient decides to make of the self's existance....... however, that in no way means 'anything goes', as there is the nature of the being to consider in seeking out the purposefulness - at least to maximizing it.......

and it is confined to sapiency becuse it requires self-awareness to be able to seek out the purposefulness...

Post 39

Saturday, June 25, 2005 - 4:13pm