As An Atheist Can Your Life Have Purpose and Meaning?

I was wondering what other people thought about this.

I realize we weren't born with a purpose. No creator or "higher calling".

But as a non believer can your life have meaning and purpose without god?

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Permalink Reply by Tom Reeves on March 6, 2013 at 12:15pm

But because there is so much "evil" purpose on the planet, my objective that I set for myself as a biologist, is to contribute to undoing the the mess caused by people with purpose.

 

You seem to define purpose in moral terms. But purpose itself to me is amoral – it is simply a self-described reason for existing or for taking action towards a desired goal. Indeed, many humans have set their objectives on goals which are harmful and destructive to others – but many have not. By my definition, you ironically stated your purpose when you said you wish to contribute to the undoing of the mess caused by people with purpose. But perhaps this  is only a semantic misunderstanding.

Permalink Reply by TNT666 on March 6, 2013 at 1:22pm

That is the 'traditional' definition of "purpose of life", of course we can twist definitions all we want to satisfy our needs.

But the word 'objective' is much more relevant/appropriate is one sets one's own objective. Objective and purpose are entirely different.

Permalink Reply by Tom Reeves on March 6, 2013 at 1:56pm

The first couple noun/verb definitions from Dictionary.com may clarify this issue...

pur·pose

noun
1. the reason for which something exists or is done, made, used, etc.
2. an intended or desired result; end; aim; goal.
verb (used with object)
6. to set as an aim, intention, or goal for oneself.
7. to intend; design.
Morality is not mentioned.
 
The word 'purpose' is used as a synonym for 'objective' in several instances if you examine Thesaurus.com
 
 
Permalink Reply by TNT666 on March 6, 2013 at 3:51pm

Yes indeed, you can prioritise what dictionnaries tell you is the secondary definition, that is your prerogative. I'll stick to the main concensus, science and communication function much better that way.

Permalink Reply by TNT666 on March 6, 2013 at 11:20am

We don't really "perceive beauty, comedy, anything of the sort", those are interpretations of reality based on social conventions.

Light we perceive, cold hot we perceive, but what you've described is cultural interpretation of reality, which varies across cultures.

Permalink Reply by JP Carey on March 6, 2013 at 11:27am
So if you existed with never knowing any other person ever... You couldn't say something was pleasing to the eye??

That does not compute
Permalink Reply by TNT666 on March 6, 2013 at 11:34am

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, it is an interpretation. If you had grown up without human culture, you would not even consider that. The consider of beauty establishes pecking order within tribes.

Permalink Reply by Tom Reeves on March 6, 2013 at 11:54am

The purpose of (human) life is to MAKE PURPOSE.

We construct purpose based on individual emotions, desire, and necessity. But making purpose is not “the purpose” of human life, merely one attribute of homo sapiens. It could be said that we are bipedal primates, use speech to communicate, are naturally omnivorous, and individually assign meaning to our lives. Again, this is not a bad thing, but only one aspect of human beings.

We GIVE our lives purpose.

No argument. This goes back to my premise that the purpose and meaning for any individual is entirely subjective.  And, given that there in reality is no “god” or “gods” defining human purpose, then purpose and meaning have always been an artificial construct of man, many of whom are simply operating under the delusion of divine guidance.

I try to be neither optimist nor pessimist, but rather perceive reality as it is the best I can. Perhaps that is my own self-deluded purpose :-)

Permalink Reply by Jonathan Chang on March 6, 2013 at 6:06pm
"We give our lives purposes."

Only to the extent that we give our socks purposes. The assigned purposes are imposed for some other goal; they are not inherent purposes or any transcendental concept that people imagine when they refer to "THE" purpose or meaning of life. You can give your life AN arbitrary purpose that will never be THE purpose.
Permalink Reply by Steph S. on March 7, 2013 at 5:42am

I agree with you Jonathan Chang - very logical statements that get us thinking critically. Appreciate you taking the time to respond.

Permalink Reply by Joan Denoo on March 8, 2013 at 12:20am

Purpose isn't a constant. The purpose of the baby is to get all its needs met through others; to be dependent. A young person's purpose is to break away from dependence on others to become counter-dependent. A mentally healthy, mature, adult's purpose is to become interdependent with mates, children, co-workers, and all sorts of interactions with others. The final purpose is to become dependent once again as physical and mental capacities decline.

Individuals bring to these processes different interests and abilities and it is up to the individual to find his/her own strengths and meaning to his/her life. Don't ask for permission or for direction; do ask for information and training.

Just as a sock has purposes, so, too, does an individual. It depends. 

 

Permalink Reply by amer chohan on March 6, 2013 at 12:37pm

Evolution is the purpose, not only for homosapians but for all life.

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