NationStates Jolt Archive

Pretty self-explanatory: why are we here? What do you presume to be your purpose?

EDIT: Maybe not guided enough, as Farnhamia pointed out.
So:
What is your purpose?
What determines your purpose?
Why does it determine your purpose?
How does it determine your purpose?
How do you respond to this purpose (obey, refuse to obey, mixed, why is this an issue? etc.)

No point. Just enjoy your life and don't worry.:)

In about 30 minutes my purpose will be to berate my managers for calling a stupid meeting on a stupid topic. Otherwise, too open-ended a question for a snowy Wednesday. Maybe tomorrow. I'm sure the thread will last that long.

To serve my Noodly Lord so that I may ascend to Heaven and enjoy the wonders of the Beer Volcano and the Stripper Factory.

My purpose right now is to provide anti-terrorim/ force protection for the naval air station I'm at.

No point, just eat, drink, sleep, fuck, enjoy life.

Pretty self-explanatory: why are we here? What do you presume to be your purpose?

We're here to do whatever we choose to do, so I figure I'll choose as my purpose doing whatever good I can.

I try to glorify my creator in all I do........today that is difficult. (most days that is difficult)

Pretty self-explanatory: why are we here? What do you presume to be your purpose?

We're here because of some freaking lightning.

My purpose is to do something.

Someone has to find Andy Dick funny. That's my purpose.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiYngeVzFBY

To procrastinate to avoid doing school work, you meant here as in NSG right?

We are another way for the universe to organize it's matter and energy.

I try to glorify my creator in all I do........today that is difficult. (most days that is difficult)

Yes, it is.

To procrastinate to avoid doing school work, you meant here as in NSG right?

exactly, well, back to cell-physiology i guess :(

Pretty self-explanatory: why are we here? What do you presume to be your purpose?

EDIT: Maybe not guided enough, as Farnhamia pointed out.
So:
What is your purpose?
What determines your purpose?
Why does it determine your purpose?
How does it determine your purpose?
How do you respond to this purpose (obey, refuse to obey, mixed, why is this an issue? etc.)

No purpose... the question still seems rather silly to me.

I try to glorify my creator in all I do........today that is difficult. (most days that is difficult)

Why would you glorify your mother? ;)

No purpose... the question still seems rather silly to me.

What is the guiding thought behind what you do, then?

Why would you glorify your mother? ;)

the bible says so *rimshot*

you know I mean God.... :p

What is the guiding thought behind what you do, then?

that my landlord dislikes letting me live for free.

What is the guiding thought behind what you do, then?

Have you considered that some folks don't have a guiding thought behind what they do? That maybe they are content with simply experiencing life?

that my landlord dislikes letting me live for free.

I am sure he would like it just fine, only his debtors don't let him do anything for free.......and so-on.

What is the guiding thought behind what you do, then?

Guiding thought? Not sure what you mean.

Why you are here is simple.
Sperms, eggs and stuff.

Your purpose, on the other hand, is entirely up to you.

Guiding thought? Not sure what you mean.

Never mind, then.

That simply cannot be.

When they are confronted with a dilemma, there is something that sways them one way or the other.

If they are there to experience life, that is what they have made their purpose to be.

Oh, that. It's called personality and experience, honey. Not purpose.

Never mind, then.

what is it, exactly, that you want us to say? You want us to get on our knees and thank god for giving us life and purpose?

No, some of us don't believe. Some of us don't think there's a higher purpose. Some of us think that life on this planet is the result of one big biological chance, without the slightest bit of guidance or divine manipulation..

As such we may have desires, we may have emotions, we may seek things that give us what we want.

But there's no purpose to that, other than to satisfy our desires, and satisfy some sense of morality.

For many of us the purpose of life, is to have a good a life as we can for as long as we got it. NOthing more.

Oh, that. It's called personality and experience, honey. Not purpose.

I think I have you figured out Cabra, your purpose is pleasure, anything you do that is decidedly unpleasureable is to prolong your life or to make an opportunity in the future for more pleasure.

my purpose right now is to ignore what is going on in class.

My overall purpose (in life, i guess) is to enjoy it. I alone determine what I want to do, I determine when I do it, I determine how and why and what for. I want to be able to relax so, I work hard in school, I do well, I apply to a law school, I do well there, I get a good job, I make a lot of money, I can relax and not worry about finances. Everything I do now must have a benefit for me later on or I won't do it.

Conversely, I also want to enjoy the moment, hence me being on NSG and doing a soduku while class is going on.

So I guess the determinate factor here is relative interests. I pay half attention in a lecture that probably isn't that important. I do something to keep my mind occupied, but I will still do the homework for the class and the readings so I understand.


I also eat and sleep to survive in order to enjoy my life. I make friends to occupy my time and let me interact outside of the internet. I have sex to release stress, communicate love, and generally have a good time. Etc. . .

I think I have you figured out Cabra, your purpose is pleasure, anything you do that is decidedly unpleasureable is to prolong your life or to make an opportunity in the future for more pleasure.

and what, exactly, is wrong with that?

and what, exactly, is wrong with that?

nothing, I would be a hypocrite to say otherwise.

I hope that my tone did not imply that there is anything wrong with it.

I think I have you figured out Cabra, your purpose is pleasure, anything you do that is decidedly unpleasureable is to prolong your life or to make an opportunity in the future for more pleasure.

That's mostly it, yes. Although I do take about as much pleasure in selfless things as I do in selfish ones. Just to make sure you don't think of me as a complete and utter unconcerned egoist ;)

nothing, I would be a hypocrite to say otherwise.

I hope that my tone did not imply that there is anything wrong with it.

I think you will find virtually all of the human condition can be described as such, it merely depends on how you define pleasure.

What's the point?

That's what I'd like to know.

That's mostly it, yes. Although I do take about as much pleasure in selfless things as I do in selfish ones. Just to make sure you don't think of me as a complete and utter unconcerned egoist ;)

of course not. I take pleasure in service, I like to have guests over and make sure they have a good time, I like to volunteer and help people less fortunate, not all pleasure is selfish....(or something)

I think you will find virtually all of the human condition can be described as such, it merely depends on how you define pleasure.

I suppose it's rather subjective.

I wasn't picking on Cabra, I used her as an example because she is the least likely to go off in a rant.

I dunno what the point is, I just try to be cool with people and enjoy myself in the meantime. Infact, I don't think there is any point, so people should just try and be happy with what time they have. If I can help them without hurting me or someone else, then that's funky.

of course not. I take pleasure in service, I like to have guests over and make sure they have a good time, I like to volunteer and help people less fortunate, not all pleasure is selfish....(or something)

I think you're just the same, there. Trying to find pleasure in life, just like the rest of humanity. The only difference is that you find pleasure in religion and faith, whereas I don't. Then again, I find immense pleasure in art, and that might be a bit unique to myself.

That simply cannot be.

When they are confronted with a dilemma, there is something that sways them one way or the other.

Some people just pick one, no thought, no guiding principle required.

If they are there to experience life, that is what they have made their purpose to be.

My body generates a lot of heat. Is that it's purpose? No, at least not likely in the sense you mean "purpose". What a thing does it not necessarily its purpose.

I'll use another example to illustrate the difference between a thing being doing an action or capable of an action and it having a purpose.

Let's say that I own a Swiss Army knife. I left it on a stack of papers in my living room so that the papers would not get blown away. Right now, its purpose is to be a paper-weight.

Later this evening, I'll use the knife to open the wrapping on a CD case. Then its purpose will be to cut the wrapping.

You see, what a thing (and I can make the same distinction with other living entities such as plants or animals or other humans) does at any given moment or is capable of does not determine its purpose. We give things purpose. It's an active human choice, and we do not have to make the choice to give ourselves a purpose.

I think you're just the same, there. Trying to find pleasure in life, just like the rest of humanity. The only difference is that you find pleasure in religion and faith, whereas I don't. Then again, I find immense pleasure in art, and that might be a bit unique to myself.

as I said, I think pleasure seeking is fairly consistant in the human condition. It only depends on how you define pleasure.

I think you're just the same, there. Trying to find pleasure in life, just like the rest of humanity. The only difference is that you find pleasure in religion and faith, whereas I don't. Then again, I find immense pleasure in art, and that might be a bit unique to myself.

it probably is.

How boring the world would be if we were all the same.

Pretty self-explanatory: why are we here? What do you presume to be your purpose?

EDIT: Maybe not guided enough, as Farnhamia pointed out.
So:
What is your purpose?Spreading plagueWhat determines your purpose?Father NurgleWhy does it determine your purpose?Father Nurgle isn't an it, He is a He. For this grevious offence, you shall rot... Anyway, He rewards His faithful servants.How does it determine your purpose?Spread a bit of ebola in the neighbourhood & ask Him. I don't presume to know His great plans.How do you respond to this purpose (obey, refuse to obey, mixed, why is this an issue? etc.)Father Nugle loves me, and all He asks in return is that I love Him & poison you. There's the rewards of eternal dominion over your puny asses too, of course, but really.. The love thing's the important one.

My body generates a lot of heat. Is that it's purpose? No, at least not likely in the sense you mean "purpose". What a thing does it not necessarily its purpose.

Actually I could fairly well argue that the purpose (or one of) the body is to generate heat. In fact the purpose of your entire body, from an evolutionary sense, can be summed up with one simple idea.

To keep your brain alive.

Spreading plagueFather NurgleFather Nurgle isn't an it, He is a He. For this grevious offence, you shall rot... Anyway, He rewards His faithful servants.Spread a bit of ebola in the neighbourhood & ask Him. I don't presume to know His great plans.Father Nugle loves me, and all He asks in return is that I love Him & poison you. There's the rewards of eternal dominion over your puny asses too, of course, but really.. The love thing's the important one.


I love you.

But frankly, Korne is the way to go.

Actually I could fairly well argue that the purpose (or one of) the body is to generate heat. In fact the purpose of your entire body, from an evolutionary sense, can be summed up with one simple idea.

To keep your brain alive.And the function of your brain isn't to keep the rest of the body alive, or what are you saying?I love you. 8)

To be perfectly honest though, I don't see a whole lot of difference between 'good' & 'evil' deities. In most cases, it's the same damn thing. Either the sole purpose of life is to provide a bit of entertainment before we die & finally start 'living a good life'. Or we're simply here to provide entertainment & death is no absolution from it. Religion always seems to reduce us to something far less than human.

Besides, plagues are cool!

I love you.

But frankly, Korne is the way to go.

Blood for the blood god! Skulls for the Skull throne!!

I'm sorry, but the Emperor totally kicks their asses.

Wait. No more 40k. hijack bad.

I love you.

But frankly, Korne is the way to go.

Khorne demands skulls for the skull throne, but ecspecially the skulls of those who mispell his name.;)

And the function of your brain isn't to keep the rest of the body alive, or what are you saying?

you could argue that the function of every appendage, organ, and system your body has, at some level, serves the purpose of keeping the brain alive.

The brain only keeps the body alive because the body is designed to keep the brain alive. Look at how a human body responds to extreme cold, the body withdraws heat from the extremities to keep the organs warm. Functionally it will let your arms and legs freeze as long as your heart keeps pumping.

It will then slow your metabolism to keep the heart from beating to fast and regulate the flow of oxygen rich blood. In most situations of extreme duress the body will start systematically shutting down everything it can in an effort to keep your brain working.

Khorne demands skulls for the skull throne, but ecspecially the skulls of those who mispell his name.

noted, but I want it mentioned he said nugle.

noted, but I want it mentioned he said nugle.
Nurgle's a slob. He doesn't care about spelling, while Khorne is a grammer nazi;)

Nurgle's a slob. He doesn't care about spelling, while Khorne is a grammer nazi;)

he doesn't care about spelling in the slightest. Why do you think he has no wizards? They can't read.

Although I imagine a bloodthirster is a great motivational teacher

"oh god, oh god, I'm going to learn to spell! I swear, not the other leg, OH GOD NOT THE OTHER LEG!"

Actually I could fairly well argue that the purpose (or one of) the body is to generate heat. In fact the purpose of your entire body, from an evolutionary sense, can be summed up with one simple idea.

To keep your brain alive.

The fact that the science of biology uses purposive explanations does not necessitate the existence of an actual purpose. It would be easy enough to describe biological processes without appealing to the Darwinian purpose that we apply to it.

For example, I could say that my body provides the brain with the nutrients to maintain its function. I do not have to add to that the idea that the innate purpose of the body is to do so.

he doesn't care about spelling in the slightest. Why do you think he has no wizards? They can't read.

LOL, all right you win:p

LOL, all right you win:p

in fact, I imagine Khorne would consider time trying to spell wasted when you could instead be off killing things.

in fact, I imagine Khorne would consider time trying to spell wasted when you could instead be off killing things.

Well I could say being a grammer nazi would give him an excuse to kill things, but to him "I think that head would look nice on my mantel" is a good enough excuse, so it would be repetitive.

Well I could say being a grammer nazi would give him an excuse to kill things, but to him "I think that head would look nice on my mantel" is a good enough excuse, so it would be repetitive.

nah, khorne and khornites don't even use that higher level of reasoning.

"it lives" is plenty sufficient reason to kill it.

No purpose but making babies (and pretending to make babies).

nah, khorne and khornites don't even use that higher level of reasoning.

"it lives" is plenty sufficient reason to kill it.Well that and providing stuffing for Khorne's chair.:D

Well that and providing stuffing for Khorne's chair.:D

feh but you play 40k.

40k Bloodthirsters are absolute wimps.

There's nothing in taking or giving
there's nothing in water or wine
this living, this living, this living
was never a project of mine
...

No idea who wrote that...

but well, my fragmented ideas are a bit different. The meaning of life must not be defined for everyone since that is a very dictatorical measure and if there ever would be a definition, you could rate how everyone lives his or her life. For me things like the exchange of ideas, the improvement of the world are important and kinda defining for my life.

you could argue that the function of every appendage, organ, and system your body has, at some level, serves the purpose of keeping the brain alive.And you could argue the opposite.The brain only keeps the body alive because the body is designed to keep the brain alive. Look at how a human body responds to extreme cold, the body withdraws heat from the extremities to keep the organs warm. Functionally it will let your arms and legs freeze as long as your heart keeps pumping.The body only keeps the brain alive, because the brain's designed* to keep the body alive. Look at how the brain responds to extreme old, the brain causes your extremities to shy away from it, so they don't get damaged. Without the brain to manage the nervous system, you could easily stand with your knob in a freezer (thus ruining it) without ever realising. That'd make you incapable of reproducing (in the traditional way at least).

*Now what do you mean by design?

EDIT: I'm starting to regret my religion spoof.

feh but you play 40k.

40k Bloodthirsters are absolute wimps.

No, I play Fantasy, I just took the name because I was considering getting into WH40K at the time and was reading up on the background, never came to anything just to damn expensive anymore would have had to cut back on other things.

Pretty self-explanatory: why are we here? What do you presume to be your purpose?

EDIT: Maybe not guided enough, as Farnhamia pointed out.
So:
What is your purpose?
What determines your purpose?
Why does it determine your purpose?
How does it determine your purpose?
How do you respond to this purpose (obey, refuse to obey, mixed, why is this an issue? etc.)

i try to be as good a person as i can be.

however a) that's highly subjective and my own definition of 'good' changes all too frequently, and b) i'm often not very good at it :p :(
oh and c) my version of 'good' mostly revolves around others and how i treat and relate to them, what i do for them, etc. in a lot of ways it could be said i don't really live for myself. like, for example, i'm fat and unhealthy, and will probably have a shortened life as a result, however i don't care. but if someone else were to say they cared, or that they didn't want to see me suffer or whatever, then i'd care. its weird.

i try to be as good a person as i can be.

however a) that's highly subjective and my own definition of 'good' changes all too frequently, and b) i'm often not very good at it :p :(
oh and c) my version of 'good' mostly revolves around others and how i treat and relate to them, what i do for them, etc. in a lot of ways it could be said i don't really live for myself. like, for example, i'm fat and unhealthy, and will probably have a shortened life as a result, however i don't care. but if someone else were to say they cared, or that they didn't want to see me suffer or whatever, then i'd care. its weird.

Honey, I care. I don't want to see you suffer, and I know for sure that I'm not the only one.
I wouldn't advise to lose weight, only if you felt you want to. But I would advise to generally live healthier (eat lots of frresh fruit and veg, get a bit of exercise...). No need to overdo it, take little steps. :)

My purpose in life is to annoy, irritate, aggravate and embarass my daughter.
Originally it was unintentional, but she kept telling me everytime I did something to bother her, so I decided to make it my purpose. She's easily annoyed. If you move, breath, talk, eat, etc. It annoys her (I suspect she's A.D.D., though she denies it). It's not hard to fulfill this purpose.

My purpose is to be a walking entropy manufacturer.

My purpose is to be a walking entropy manufacturer.

I thought it was to sleep in the deep?

My purpose is to find it.

I have no purpose. I exist. That's good enough.

My purpose is to find it.

Ooooh, that's deeeeep, maaaannn.

My purpose? To enjoy life. Sometimes I have a little trouble with that but I'm getting better at it. I try to be a good person because I like myself better then, and liking myself makes life more enjoyable. So everything I do actually has some selfish motivation.

Ooooh, that's deeeeep, maaaannn.

Yeah, I usually get pretty deep when I need a drink...

Until I know what you mean by "purpose," I can't answer that question.

Someone has to find Andy Dick funny. That's my purpose.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiYngeVzFBY

Your purpose is fufilled. But ONLY because I saw that infomercial he was referring to.

My purpose is to survive until I die. I plan to fufill it.

Pretty self-explanatory: why are we here? What do you presume to be your purpose?

EDIT: Maybe not guided enough, as Farnhamia pointed out.
So:
What is your purpose?
What determines your purpose?
Why does it determine your purpose?
How does it determine your purpose?
How do you respond to this purpose (obey, refuse to obey, mixed, why is this an issue? etc.)

Most people are actually influenced by a fear of death. Whether it is concious or unconcious, a fear of death effects almost everything human beings engage in. Why do we continue to try to avoid death? Because it is so ingrained into our instincts as human beings.

my purpose in life is to live it as leisurely as i possibly can while still being able to feed and clothe myself.

My purpose is to go forth and take over the world.

My purpose is to go forth and take over the world.

I can't let you do that NXS.... if you try.... I will have to kill you