Purpose -- Maybe (+ poll)
Robbopolis
14-01-2005, 01:12
I've seen a few of these posts recently, so I thought I would get some numbers to check a couple of hypotheses that I have.
Davistania
14-01-2005, 01:13
Good call, Durkheim.
Big Jim P
14-01-2005, 01:14
Ok so whats your thesis?
My purpose is whatever I choose it to be in the instant that I choose it. This purpose is the result of my present perception in the context of my memories.
Neo-Anarchists
14-01-2005, 01:39
What definition of "purpose" are you using? It really hinges on that.
Robbopolis
14-01-2005, 01:50
What definition of "purpose" are you using? It really hinges on that.
I'm thinking of purpose as a goal in life. Something beyond just existing and enjoying it while I'm here. Something that we're called to do.
I'm thinking of purpose as a goal in life. Something beyond just existing and enjoying it while I'm here. Something that we're called to do.
Make babies.
Pantylvania
14-01-2005, 03:23
I'm agnostic so I don't know if I have a purpose
New Genoa
14-01-2005, 03:26
I don't have a purpose so I just sorta leech off the rest of society
I'm basically an existentialist, so I really don't believe in purpose.
Superpower07
14-01-2005, 03:57
We make our own purpose
Festivals
14-01-2005, 03:59
Make babies.
that's my purpose
Rogue Angelica
14-01-2005, 04:02
Wow, an athiest with a purpose. Everybody point and laugh.
But, seriously, for anyone that doesn't use religious stuff as a purpose, our purpose is to strive for happiness.
Vegas-Rex
14-01-2005, 04:05
Where's the porpoise?
Lascivious Maximus
14-01-2005, 04:27
I'm basically an existentialist, so I really don't believe in purpose.
I too am an existentialist, but I would like to think I have a purpose - just not one that is divinly given or set in stone.
I set my own purposes, right now I give myself purpose by beleiving that the only thing that makes life worth living is to love and be loved in return. So my purpose, as Ive defined it for myself, is simply to go through life sharing what I can of myself with others and allowing them to do the same. It doesnt change my views as far as existience, in fate, in destiny or otherwise - but I like to think nevertheless that I have purpose.
Id like to think we all do. :)
Patra Caesar
14-01-2005, 08:04
The purpose of life: To continue the replication of DNA. We exist for the enjoyment of microscopic organisms, to ensure their survival and their spread. Life wants to be, but usually it does not want to be much.
Deltaepsilon
14-01-2005, 08:25
Purpose is an illusion created and endorsed by people who want to feel important. Anybody that actually wants to believe they're a cog is unfathomable to me. I find existence sufficiently satisfying to avoid such dellusions.
Greedy Pig
14-01-2005, 10:03
I'm a Christian.. My main purpose, to bring more people to Christ. Live a good and blessed life and be a blessing to the community.
My brother and my dad's calling is to be end-time financeers, especially with waste-management technologies and environmental cleanup systems in South East Asia.
Then, To build many churches & hospitals, and financially support the poor and needy around the world.
Not too sure about my calling (might be the same), but I do have a bleeding heart for the Nepalese people as does my dad.
You Forgot Poland
14-01-2005, 16:28
I'm basically an existentialist, so I really don't believe in purpose.
I don't know if these two are, by definition, exclusive.
Robbopolis
14-01-2005, 18:20
Make babies.
That doesn't count. I'm looking for something that makes us different from the animals. Simply continuing the species doesn't count. Somehow making the world a better place. Something like that.
I'm an atheist and I have a purpose. My life purpose is to live as comfortable and pleasant a life as I can.
Personal responsibilit
14-01-2005, 18:42
If your theory was that those without a belief in God are less likely to have a sense of purpose than those who believe in God, you would be correct, at least so far.
of those who believe in God who have no purpose: 5.5%
of those who do not believe in God or are uncertain who have no purpose: 58%
Pretty striking difference. It would be interesting to see the outcome of a truly random sample of the population.
Robbopolis
15-01-2005, 04:10
If your theory was that those without a belief in God are less likely to have a sense of purpose than those who believe in God, you would be correct, at least so far.
of those who believe in God who have no purpose: 5.5%
of those who do not believe in God or are uncertain who have no purpose: 58%
Pretty striking difference. It would be interesting to see the outcome of a truly random sample of the population.
That was what I was wondering about. I also noticed that a number of people put down that their purpose was something like "be happy" or "procreate." I wonder what it would be like if we changed all of those people to "no purpose," as that wasn't what I was looking for.
I would also be interested in getting a large random sample going, but that would require more money than I am currently able to devote to the project. This was the best I could do.
Kryozerkia
15-01-2005, 04:12
My purpose - to irritate all people religious. :D
Prosophia
15-01-2005, 04:36
We make our own purpose
AGREED.
I was a philosophy major as an undergrad - after 4 yrs of trying (and failing) to get my head around a metaphysical reason for life, the universe, and everything, I decided to go with the idea that I work best when I have a purpose, and that's good enough for me.
Eutrusca
15-01-2005, 04:50
I've seen a few of these posts recently, so I thought I would get some numbers to check a couple of hypotheses that I have.
Too few options. :(
Robbopolis
15-01-2005, 12:19
Too few options. :(
Sorry, but I thought that had covered the basics. This was what I wanted to get a handle on.
Do you have any ideas if I want to do it again?