LOL @ Bill O

[Michchamp]

I don't follow. Why is that the goal? What is the significance of offspring vs extinction? It's still just matter that exists. Is it just for people, or animals, or plants, of fungi, or bacterial, or viruses...or chemical reactions? When in the course of abiogenesis did it get a meaning?

semantics, semantics, semantics.

whether you want to call it a meaning, purpose, aim, point, or goal... that's what "life" does. it's not more complicated than that, although due to our lack of understanding of evolution (until the 1850's), DNA (the 1950s-60s) and abiogenesis (1970s?) we made it more complicated than it needed to be.

 

[KAWDUP]

semantics, semantics, semantics.

whether you want to call it a meaning, purpose, aim, point, or goal... that's what "life" does. it's not more complicated than that, although due to our lack of understanding of evolution (until the 1850's), DNA (the 1950s-60s) and abiogenesis (1970s?) we made it more complicated than it needed to be.

That right there is why people will attempt to add a "soul" to the equation. The question of "is that all there is" will create a sizable gap in a sane person's psyche. I think you over-simplify it a bit, but it is more than just comfort for why some rather intelligent and famous scientists/philosophers throughout history attempt to explain the necessity of a higher power.

 

[redandguilty]

semantics, semantics, semantics.

whether you want to call it a meaning, purpose, aim, point, or goal... that's what "life" does. it's not more complicated than that, although due to our lack of understanding of evolution (until the 1850's), DNA (the 1950s-60s) and abiogenesis (1970s?) we made it more complicated than it needed to be.

It would be semantics if I cared what you call it. I don't. Call it whatever, a meaning, purpose, aim, point, or goal. Why would you claim life has one? We're not even sure how to classify what is and what isn't alive.

I agree that life does what it does, but rocks do what they do, so that isn't a distinguishing feature.

I don't think meanings, purposes, aims, points, or goals are features of life. All those things require intent. I don't think all living things experience intent. Some living things have goals (and all that). But not all living things.

And we didn't make reality complicated. It is what it is. If it was simple, it would be simple to explain.

 

[Michchamp]

... why some rather intelligent and famous scientists/philosophers throughout history attempt to explain the necessity of a higher power.

I think there's a bit of a debate on that. The "God doesn't roll dice" of Einstein and Stephen Hawking's (earlier) statements aren't the straightforward endorsements of a higher power that people quickly thought them to be.

stephen hawking has since made his views quite clear.

as far as earlier scientists/philosophers... I'd temper their endorsements of a higher power until we can see where they'd end up on the topic after they got caught up with all the scientific discoveries of the modern and recent era.

also, in some countries being an atheist would get you burned at the stake, right up until the 19th century, so... thanks to YOUR people, we probably don't have their true personal opinions on the subject.

here's a wikipedia list anyways, for what it's worth.

 

[Michchamp]

Red, it's pretty easy to differentiate between a rock and an amoeba. not sure why that distinction is causing you problems. Pull yourself together and quit clowning around.

 

[redandguilty]

Red, it's pretty easy to differentiate between a rock and an amoeba. not sure why that distinction is causing you problems. Pull yourself together and quit clowning around.

If it's so easy, then do it. So far you've only offered "what it does" as a meaning. The meaning of life is to pass on DNA because that's what it does. That could apply to a rock. The meaning of a rock is to sit there because that's what it does.

If you're a non-nihilist atheist, where do you get meaning from?

 

[tinselwolverine]

If it's so easy, then do it. So far you've only offered "what it does" as a meaning. The meaning of life is to pass on DNA because that's what it does. That could apply to a rock. The meaning of a rock is to sit there because that's what it does.
If you're a non-nihilist atheist, where do you get meaning from?

Not always.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSlWXMJD9Zs

EDIT: I guess maybe better than not always would have been it ain't necessarily so...

 

[tinselwolverine]

The only person he actively tried to tempt was Jesus Himself, and we all know how that went.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch...

...in case anyone didn't know, and was wondering...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oWCxvoA_LqI