If we are indeed here for a higher purpose rather than just a biological chain reaction over millions of years, why hasn’t God or aliens or whoever put us here told us what that purpose is?..Or at least given us a clue?
not to be a smart ass, but that would take all the fun out of it wouldn’t it?
cheers,
gemty
Calvin states that man’s role in the world is to bring praise to God.
It has given us the clue of consciousness and the scriptural record.
Where Christ says ‘don’t swear an oath,’ Krishna says ‘break it.’ Both, i think, are directed toward the dissolution of the secret groups. In the Mahabharat the author(s?) speak directly against conspiracy; in the Old Testament the warning against conspiracy is articulated as a warning against a joining of agencies (i.e. male homosexuality, because it’s a spiritual document (i.e. don’t look at the physical.))
We have a tendancy to take what we like from each culture but, i think that’s a mistake. It’s an ‘all at once’ thing; hold each structure intact in your head and let them come together.
Oldphil - you have to remember whose purpose it would be, and it wouldn’t be ours. Think of the times you have coldly and calculatingly manipuated someone. You didn’t always tell them they were being manipulated and for what purpose, did you? If you’ve never manipulated anyone, I suggest you try to. It’s good experience for questions like this.
Think of it - it’s like the ultimate conspiracy theory.
Why do we need to know what our higher purpose is, if we have one?
If we have a higher purpose but don’t know what it is, what gives us the sense that we - indeed, have a higher purpose?
…a ‘higher purpose’ sense? …feeding back boredom?
“I’m bored, I should be doing something… more/better/different/less arduous/else/higher?”
Maybe we can have a succession of higher purposes throughout our lives, then.
Like a collection of peaks crowning mountain ranges.
In fact, I think we go a certain way realising that multiplicity here is good for us.
- the lost souls who prop up the bar bemoaning their one singular glory. Must need be told that they will have others, if they can look up and see the heights to climb : )
It surely is a higher purpose to spread word that many heights await us all.
Na mean?!
If it’s not our higher purpose then why do we spend so much time debating what it is?. Also if it’s not ours why do why believe that God or whoever has placed us here for a higher purpose?. If it’s not ours why are we even aware of its existence?
oldphil - What’s with the “we”? You are asking, in effect why “we” believe in God. Read all of Nietzsche and report back to us. All of your questions will be answered.
Wish my parents let me read. But ‘oh no nietzsche is satanic’ they say.
sj - I just made this point somewhere or other on this board. Nietzsche is an atheist. Satanism is a christian religion. People constantly fail to make this distinction. But that’s why we practise philosophy - to learn, to teach ourselves how to make ever-better distinctions. Nietzsche would have as much bad to say about satanists as he had about christians - it is nearly the same thing to an atheist. Well, it is the same thing.
It is not necessary to read Nietzsche to be a good philosopher. It’s just almost necessary. There are some of his texts available online. NOT that I am encouraging you to disobey your parents. There might be links in the philosophical texts section on this board. I do not know. Do they let you read this board? Is the philosophical texts section on this board? Can you say “splitting moral hairs”? Would omar smell a rationalisation here?
I think you should stay away from that philosophical texts “thread”. Young man? Are you listening? Are you?
.
The biggest laugh of all is that we have to discuss and even argue over what we are , even though when we are just being ourselves the purpose becomes clear and the problem of existance dissolves , thing is some people dont know who they are , hence the need to search and ask , because they have,nt found yet , these are the people who create problems in the world
There is a saying by Lao tzu that its lucky to be born into a religion , but unlucky to die following one , following philosophy is no different to following religion , this requires reflection
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I know exactly who I am, and still after 30+ years
of looking for a purpose, I cannot find a higher purpose.
I can see local, single person, one person finding his/hers
purpose. I cannot see one “purpose” working for multiple
people. The idea of a “higher purpose” seems to go hand
in hand with people who believe in a higher power/god/deity.
Because I believe there is no god, I also believe there is no
higher purpose. I do think, each of us create our own
purpose with our own choices and actions. I cannot know
or guess what your purpose is, I can only deal with my
purpose, whatever that may be.
Kropotkin
My higher purpose changes, or perhaps fluxuates. I think this is key because so does life.
Right now my higher purpose is not cracking a pun. 