Forward:

This contemplation has developed from a very short conversation with a very stupid person. In spite of the title, I do not plan to offer any explanation for the actual meaning of life, other than one loosely inferred. The purpose of this rant is to explain a very basic concept that I feel people take for granted regarding this mysterious thing called life.

The Conversation:

A warehouse is an interesting place for a philosopher to work, though it is undoubtedly the fate of many a young student of wisdom. Huddled over boxes at the hub of consumer whoredom one meets an interesting segment of society that is often overlooked by the most serious student. A prime example is the 18 year old, attention-craving female. It isn't her lack of formal education, but her deep-seeded stupidity that makes her unappealing in most contexts. Yet, it was in the company of such a succubus that I found myself. In a vain attempt to rouse my attention to her plight she blurted out "Life sucks and then you die, that's what I've figured out to be true." Violent rejection of this statement instantly rose from a deep, dark place inside me, yet I couldn't fully express myself to her, or at least my attempts were futile. This single sentence kept me awake for several nights. During this time I discovered that, while not everybody phrases it with such cliche teen angst, it comes from a very common philosophic view. (Note: "philosophy" in this sense is not meant literally 'love of wisdom', but figuratively in the sense of explaining the essence of things)

Now the Meaning of Life....sort of:

Let us look at the implications of a phrase such as "life sucks". First, this implies that there is a thing called life, seeminly outside of human existence. Second, this thing called life is bad, at worst out to get you, and at best unfulfilling. To me providing an existence to such a thing as life is about as logical as providing existence to God. "This thing called 'life' exists and it's out to get me".  Once again, a distinction should be made about how terms are used. Life in this sense does not mean biological life, but some thing that seems to encompass all physical existence, as well as human experience, and how humans react to these experiences. Well where is life? What is it's motive for making you unhappy? Does life watch you when you pee?

I mentioned how this view of things is widely accepted. "Life is hard" "My life is in a downward spiral", etc etc. It is usually made most apparent when things are going poorly. It seems as though this is a case of widespread absurdity. So what is the root of such a strange view of things? I think on a superficial level people just don't think about what they say. On a deeper level I think it stems from the fact that people don't like to take responsibility for their mistakes or poor choices. My problem isn't that I got knocked up and failed to provide myself with the options to find a better job, I am an innocent victim of this thing called life, which caused all of these problems.

So does this thing called life exist? Yes and no, I think. The universe carries on in the same way that it has for billion of years. Humans of course have a personal experience of this, this experience is painted by their interpretation, and how they are influenced by others around them (This is the effect of culture). Experience leads to choices, not only choices of action, but choices of interpretation. The way that we interpret the whole of human experience and our part in it is completely up to us individually. Basically, life doesn't suck, life doesn't exist, your view of human experience is negative because you have made bad choices that you don't want to take responsiblity for. Your response is to create a godhead, who appearing malevolent, becomes your scapegoat.

12/17/2008 - The Meaning of Life

Posted by QR Whoa there! You just stopped in mid rant....We created a "god" and that's why we imbue life with an essence? I think humans are more creative than that. Unfortunately, our perceptions are jaded by phrasing through the media. If you want to look for "evil" in a godhead, then I vote for the media and the need to constantly be hooked up to some device or another. Life doesn't suck...my dial up does! Permanent Link

12/18/2008 - not quite

Posted by Zachtin The godhead that we create is this thing that people call "life", we then give "life" attributes such as being unkind, or unfair. "Life sucks" and "Life isn't fair" See how "life" is personified? It doesn't make any sense to do that, because there isn't a thing called life that exists outside of personal experience, which is what the language of phrases like the ones above imply. And people do this to transfer blame for mistakes away from themselves, I think it's very clever and creative indeed. Permanent Link