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 Edward Teach on June 17, 2012 at 6:38pm

Big picture? I don't think life objectively amounts to anything. The very nature of "meaning" is subjective. Meaning is, itself, a human invention. I don't think it is possible to truly "know" external reality. Our sensory experiences even define external reality subjectively. I'm afraid that subjective knowledge is as close as we get to anything approaching external truth.

Permalink Reply by Tom Sarbeck on June 18, 2012 at 1:59am

Michael OL, you ask "If not, what else?"

Try happiness. It guarantees that you won't ask such questions.

Permalink Reply by Michael OL on June 20, 2012 at 5:45pm

Happiness is not a purpose, any more than victory is a strategy.

Permalink Reply by TNT666 on November 16, 2012 at 1:08am

Very well stated, I'll save that one as an email signature :)

Permalink Reply by Tom Sarbeck on June 18, 2012 at 1:53am

Who are charging that the rubric is self-delusional?

The charge can easily be their self-delusion.

Permalink Reply by Sentient Biped on June 17, 2012 at 12:17pm

Steph, this is a really meaningful and thoughtful post, as is your handling of the responses.  I've been watching it but not commenting, because I really don't have any answers myself. 

*

There are things I think I SHOULD do in life.  I have a sense of responsibility, duty.  It must come from within, but who knows why.  As for the scheme of things, whether there is meaning or purpose, I'm pretty nihilistic.  I seem to need to defend the vulnerable, protect what/who needs protecting, promote what needs promoting.  I'm not crazy about narcissistic people.  I am drawn to certain ideas, and to things related to life, and nature, and history, social justice, and I think that we should think.  I think we are part of life and part of history.  It's important to me do "do good" and also to plan for whatever live brings.  I just don't know about purpose or meaning.  Maybe not everyone has that option.

Permalink Reply by Steph S. on June 17, 2012 at 1:41pm

Hello Sentient.

 

Thanks so much for your reply. I really appreciate all the thoughts and ideas I've received here.

I really like your statement here and I feel the same.

"I seem to need to defend the vulnerable, protect what/who needs protecting, promote what needs promoting."

That is what Wonder Woman is all about (always helping others) -- and I try to be like the fictional superhero. She's like a role model for me and has been since I was little and looked up to her.

Permalink Reply by Tom Sarbeck on June 18, 2012 at 2:04am

Where was it that I read something like "I am no longer a child and I gave up the things of a child"?

I have a collection of Calvin and Hobbes comics I occasionally reread and enjoy.

Permalink Reply by Idaho Spud on June 18, 2012 at 4:59pm

I like.

Permalink Reply by Jeff Dempsey on June 22, 2012 at 12:39am

Sentient Biped said; "There are things I think I SHOULD do in life.  I have a sense of responsibility, duty.  It must come from within, but who knows why."

 

I too...feel a since of duty in my life!  I think it does come from within but, not in a spiritual sense or beckoning that a divine being placed in me.  I think that as a gradual developing species; after trial and error over all this period of time.  We have developed a habit to constantly improve our current existance!  If we could only obtain the ability to use all of our brain; then the real flourishing would unfold before your very eyes!

Permalink Reply by AtheistTech on June 17, 2012 at 12:27pm

As God, no

Permalink Reply by Steph S. on June 17, 2012 at 10:57pm
Funny Cane!

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