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Debate Info

27
18
Yes No
Debate Score:45
Arguments:36
Total Votes:54
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Argument Ratio

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 Yes (23)
 
 No (13)

Debate Creator

zproach(252) pic



There Is a Meaning to Life

When we look at the lives we live there is a question that always comes up; what purpose have I served? This question has been on the core issue of the founding of religions and the creations of dynasties. This question always makes a big assumption, though, that life has a meaning in the first place. This is why I bring you here today; not to debate about petty politics or religion but of a much more substantial question --Do our lives serve a purpose?. The universe is so large (around 92 trillion trillion miles wide) and is unimaginably empty that any influences we have are mitigated to nothing on the universal scale. Our measurements of success don't apply outside of Earth; and Earth isn't going to be around forever, nor does it have an impact on the universe. We are nothing but a speck of sand on a speck of sand; how  can our lives serve a bigger picture under that pretense? 

Yes

Side Score: 27
VS.

No

Side Score: 18
1 point

Your life has a meaning if you decide it does. Your call.

If on the other hand you're waiting around for a magical super-being to tell you what the meaning of your life is... well, good luck with that.

Side: yes
zproach(252) Disputed
1 point

Yet, what about a universal meaning; how do we ,as humans, impact the universe and why do we exist in the first place?

Side: No
gcomeau(536) Disputed
1 point

There is no such thing as "universal meaning". We impact the universe however we choose to. And we exist for whatever reason we decide to exist.

Side: yes
1 point

There is definitely meaning to life if you just look around you and not into the sky.

Having said that, there is also the possibility of meaning to life if you look into the sky. The meaning can be as simple as the search for meaning itself.

So yes, there's definitely meaning to life here on Earth as well as the possibility of a greater meaning yet to be discovered.

Side: yes
1 point

I actually agree with you here, people can find meaning in life as an individual if they make a meaning of it. Meaning for human existence as a whole? I don't think so however.

Side: yes
NVYN(289) Disputed
2 points

Yes, I'm well aware of your stance on things that are beyond understanding: You tend close your mind to the possibilities. I, on the other hand, leave it opened to be discovered.

Side: yes
1 point

There is no universal meaning of life. You decide what your purpose in life is. It is what existentialism is based upon; it emphasizes the existence of an free willed individual responsible for determining their own development and purpose in life. This itself is carried out through will - the choices and actions we take in our day to day life.

Side: Existentialism is independent choice
zproach(252) Disputed
1 point

Yet, that is just what the individual ascribes to the meaning of life; it does nothing to support the universal meaning to all of life.

Side: No

I know for a fact God put me here so I can spread good news about him until He calls me back home......................................................................

Side: yes
1 point

Meaning is relative to the individual in that it is interpreted by one differently, however I would submit that while understanding of some meaning would infer it is relative, it indeed is not. It is random I believe, but self defining retroactively...

I'm not sure how to explain that clearly because that is actually way too simple. And the title of the debate makes an assumption, that meaning itself exists, and whether or not that could be applied to life is a far deeper debate than I expect from but a few. I would love to hear some opinions from anyone who wants to hang with my attempt at an explanation though.

Take an apple for instance. We know this exists because we have experience of it. We touch it, feel it, taste it, etc. However, even if apples only existed on some alien planet and no intelligent life had ever experienced an apple, it would still exist all by itself because no one had ever heard of it.

Fine, that's easy enough. Can that be applied to meaning?

Take a harder example, how about time?

We know for a fact time varies greatly. Sure our measurement of it does not change, but our measurement is wrong and we know this. It exists in limitless states. Ask an old person to count off a minute, they will count too long, ask a young person, they will count too short. They experience the exact same time, but in different ways. A nuclear clock will keep exact time while sitting on the surface of the Earth, put it in a rocket, and it will be off by hundredths of a second upon landing.

Time is relative, yet we know it exists both because we define it, and because things change as it passes both on a small earthly scale, and on a large Universal scale.

I would submit that "meaning" is half apple and half time.

It is like an apple in the way that there is no real measurement for it "how apple is that apple" an apple just is an apple it cannot be any more or less apple than what it is. However it cannot be sensed in that way.

It is like time in that it exists in limitless states... kind of. Just as no two people experience time in the same way, also no two will experience meaning in the same way. It is unlike time though in that we cannot even really attempt to measure it as we do with time.

Can something like this exist kind of in between two states of being as it seems to be?

Here is my take on the matter.

Meaning is a thing which can be defined not as in something leading to an action, but in that it results from an action.

Example: if me pressing the "L" button on my keyboard means an "L" appearing on the screen, that is the meaning of that action.

Meaning exists only when something results from it, big or small, it is retroactively self-defining. It cannot be defined prior to the action or during the action, but only when the results of something then exist.

Life is an action of sorts, therefore it must inherently have meaning of one sort or another.

However, "Life" is not necessary for meaning to exist... which is likely the direct opposite of most on this side who claim

"it is relative to the individual"

No, it is relative only to the potential of a result, but once something results, the meaning is defined, set in stone and true. That people argue about the meaning of something only highlights a misunderstanding of that thing with meaning, and in no way changes the meaning itself. Like an apple is an apple even if someone else calls it an orange.

That some fancifully believe there is something more to it, whether it's "what we make it" - or whether others take the Universal approach, that some greater or long term result must exist for it to exist, in no way changes its existence.

Only the experience of it varies... like time.

lol, okay I'm not sure who stuck with me for that but maybe it wasn't a total waste of time.

Side: yes but not in that way
1 point

Meaning is relative to the individual in that it is interpreted by one differently, however I would submit that while understanding of some meaning would infer it is relative, it indeed is not. It is random I believe, but self defining retroactively...

I actually enjoyed your concept of meaning, though I think it becomes more incoherent the more you write trying to explain it, because it really is that simple.

Side: yes but not in that way
1 point

The universal purpose of all intelligent beings can be reduced to this:

Live honestly!

If there is one burden that is worthy of the intelligence of life it is honesty. It is one of the simplest concepts which we as intelligent beings can demonstrate by word and deed. And as far as I am concerned, there is no other ability which equally distinguishes all of mankind from all other things, including other forms of life.

Is this my opinion? Certainly it is. Hell, some may call it advice. Albeit, hereafter are the words of my prejudice.

Honesty, in accord with all that it implies, i.e., intelligence, abstract thought, self-cognizance, etc., is a finish line which no man shall cross, but our lives and only our lives can participate in the race toward that goal. That is what I mean by the words, “Live Honestly”. But, men can do many things, do those other things establish purpose of which men only demonstrate?

Does not space travel distinguish betwixt us and the beasts of the field? Yes, however does that mean that we who have not traveled in outer-space can’t distinguish ourselves from the beasts of the field? Axiomatically no! Consequently, if we are going to determine the universal purpose of our lives we can not consider particular achievements such as space-travel as a universal purpose for all of mankind. Now, I could bore all of us with needless examples which further demonstrate man’s purpose is not identified by what only few of us have accomplished, but I spare us all that torment. Nonetheless, it seems as though the answer to this question must lie within the boundaries of all men’s lives apart from individual boundaries. And I think my advice, which is my first vice, satisfies the request of this debate.

Are all men capable of living honestly? Is there anything other than, which can?

(This post is merely an attempt to begin a discourse. It is not a thesis. So pardon the lack of systematic thought.)

Side: yes
1 point

This is a matter of personal opinion; it is whether or not we choose to adopt into ourselves a meaning to life. I personally believe that life does have a purpose; that life wasn't just a coincidence. Science can scream in our ears if it wants to, but I'm quite happy believing that in life there is a purpose and that this purpose is what I make of it.

Side: yes
1 point

yes there is a meaning to life if there wasn't why would you be here and there is so many reason to life jesus died for us there is alot of meaning to that

Side: yes

The belief that life has a meaning presupposes a belief in the supernatural - for it is the supernatural who would supply said meaning. Seeing as how I, along with some others on this site, have a belief in the supernatural - then I shall agree that there is a meaning to life.

Side: yes
zproach(252) Disputed
1 point

But even with God (or whatever deity you happen to believe in) there can still be a life with no meaning. Why does a God have to give meaning to life. Can't he just create a universe that is intentionally irrational?

Side: No
1 point

Just look at what you naturally want in life, there you'll find meaning without actually having to do anything at all. You want to have sex, sometimes lots of it, you want to be respected, you want to love and be loved, you want to have children, etc.....

Side: yes

The meaning of life would be to enhance the life of our descendants, wouldn't it?

I've always thought what is the purpose of life.. Furthermore, what is the purpose of existence?

Side: yes

There is a meaning to life if we decide there is one. If we decide to live our live uselessly that its our own fault.

Its the individuals that fulfill their meaning of life that makes the world a better place. Their determination to do that is the reason why we live in the world we are living in today.

Side: yes
1 point

"Just look at what you naturally want in life, there you'll find meaning without actually having to do anything at all. You want to have sex, sometimes lots of it, you want to be respected, you want to love and be loved, you want to have children, etc....."

You are right.

----------------------------

Mike,Auto Insurance Quote Agent.

Supporting Evidence: Auto Insurance Quote (zolpo.com)
Side: No
1 point

It is what existentialism is based upon; it emphasizes the existence of an free willed individual responsible for determining their own development and purpose in life. This itself is carried out through will - the choices and actions we take in our day to day life.

Supporting Evidence: buy phentermine online (www.online-phentermine.com)
Side: yes
3 points

The universe is absurd. There is no goal that the universe has for one's life and ,thus, one's life is left meaningless. This isn't meant to judge the human race as pointless --and unimportant-- it only serves to make the objective statement that we --as a species-- don't serve a purpose to the universe. We will always remain nameless and ignorant of the universe; rather than fight this fact we should embrace it. Instead of living life off of the tenets of appeasing the universe we should live off the tenets of appeasing our fellow man and increasing the quality of life for everybody

Side: No
Lockjawx27(25) Disputed
1 point

"Instead of living life off of the tenets of appeasing the universe we should live off the tenets of appeasing our fellow man and increasing the quality of life for everybody"

And why exactly should I, a human with absolutely no objective purpose, help my fellow man? Why should I continue attending college? If there is no purpose for my life, if the universe is oblivious to my existence, then what is stopping me from slitting my wrists right now and ending it all-together?

You've essentially said that any suffering child should have no help outside of pointless charity. With no purpose, who cares? The woman being raped in the alley? Who cares? Walk right by it. (But you don't walk right by. You stop and help. You have an unknown, unexplainable urge to help someone in need who is of absolutely no use to you. Without life having a purpose there is no reason to help, yet you still want to. Ever wonder what that is?)

Side: yes
aveskde(1935) Disputed
0 points

And why exactly should I, a human with absolutely no objective purpose, help my fellow man? Why should I continue attending college? If there is no purpose for my life, if the universe is oblivious to my existence, then what is stopping me from slitting my wrists right now and ending it all-together?

Because you're programmed to care, because you're programmed to find meaning in something and if you were some day able to change your current objective away from pleasing a universe that cares nothing for you, you would find some person, or some cause to devote yourself to in order to fill the void of purpose.

You, like us all are a beautifully irrational hodge-podge of contrary design tradeoffs, genetically bound instincts, and cultural mores. This allows you the ability to see that the universe is completely void of purpose and intent, and that the meaning of your actions will ultimately be ephemeral, but at the same time you just can't kill yourself, and you just can't stop loving your family and friends, despite the obvious irrationality of it all; because your social and genetic programming prevent you from being absolutely rational.

Does that answer your question?

Side: No
iamdavidh(4856) Disputed
0 points

Good points. It shows you actually put some thought into it.

I would argue that you are confusing "goal" and "meaning."

A goal is something we can control and have a say in, accomplished or not.

Meaning if it exists or not I would say, is impervious to our definition of it.

I say it exists as in when an action has an effect, the "meaning" of that action is the corresponding result, nothing more and nothing less.

Life causes effects and therefore must have "meaning"

but not "meaning" in the sense most imagine.

Side: yes

Is this really question for debate or a statement of opinion because it is a little impartial.

The universe and life is total randomness. Everything is randomness. Nothing is predestined because otherwise, that will involve a supreme being or a deity.

Life is not totally meaningless as long you make it meaningful. For those who need a deity for life to be meaningful, then life is meaningless.

Side: No
1 point

I don't think that we should contribute to anything other than the community we live in...i mean what we the little creatures can do anyway to affect that system of this huge magnitute.

Think about it like this, the most thing you can do is to contribute to the Earth if possible or your community at least

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Side: No
1 point

It squarely depends on whether the person interprets meaning to be the same as purpose. Our universe has no intrinsic purpose, neither does life. However, everything we do has meaning in the sense of affecting our surroundings in a lasting way, consequences.

In other words, when people look for purpose and meaning in life, they're looking in the wrong direction usually. It's not about looking for intrinsic purpose or assigned meaning from an authority, it's about appreciating how open ended our existence is, and the fact that we can assign our own purpose to ourselves.

Side: No
1 point

I actually agree with you here, people can find meaning in life as an individual if they make a meaning of it. Meaning for human existence as a whole? I don't think so however.

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Side: yes