If you don't believe in an afterlife, what is your motivation?

[Reach]

As I see it, life is a pretty unique gift, and I only have one shot at it. There is no way to escape it alive, so you have to take it for what it is.

The universe is a pretty messed up yet magnificent place. I am always in awe when I look at the shere space and mystery the universe contains...it's amazing that something like this could actually exist, God or no God. It just fascinates me, and I enjoy learning and experiencing more of it each day. Just being one little part of the big picture is a nice feeling, and I'm grateful I was born with the amazing ability to explore it and share deep thoughts and feelings with other people.

I'm not one to believe that anyone or anything necessarily gives you purpose in your life. Purpose is derived from within, and as such the 'meaning of life' is an irrelevant question. The real question is, what is the meaning of YOUR life, and as you shape and explore this universe it inevitably becomes what defines you within the big picture.

I don't require some superficial notion that my body is merely a vessel into a world that is better than this one to see that life is something greater than myself. We are human beings, a natural creation of the universe. The very fact that our lives will come to an eternal end is what makes us...us, and what makes everything what it is. Everything dies, everything ends, and only when you can truely accept that, in my opinion, can you realize the true beauty is all around you just waiting for you to tap into it (Actually, I do have some ideas involving a universe that wasn't created and can't be destroyed, though another topic entirely XD).

[talisman]

skimskimskim

I think the more important question is why homo sapiens tends to assign 'purpose' and 'meaning' to things in the first place. What is the evolutionary function of retaining this artifcial 'structure' in our lives? How does it facilitate certain biological goals like reproduction and individual preservation?

I used to wonder alot about "the meaning of life" before I took a step back and realized any such debate surrounding this concept presupposes that there is a "meaning of life" in the first place! The idea is so attractive... so comforting, if you will, that it is easy to see how it has gained widespread appeal and universal inclusion into all religions. Yet "meaning" is a decidedly arbitrarily human idea, and almost inescapable at that.

So I decided that it's better not to think about what the meaning or purpose of one's life is, but just to live life and do what you want to. Sure, rely on the goal-oriented nature of human problem-solving to help you accomplish things, but don't confuse that with some sort of universal, or even personal, "purpose" or "meaning". It's unnecessary.

[Lucifericrucifix]

My motivation is merely progression as a being. We are severely flawed at birth and many of us continue to be until we reach the grave as well. My motivation is merely betterment of myself.

[cC@Zz]

Alot of people want to better themselves and believe there is an afterlife. I wish I was more like those kinds of people, but I just can't believe theres an afterlife without proof. I still try to better myself but sometimes I feel like if there is no afterlife its all pointless.

[RandomPscho]

It is all pointless. The reason for living is what you make it out to be.

[slipstrike0159]

Originally Posted by TheRapingDragon

If the brain is where your memories are stored, and it dies, then how can you keep your memories, what then do you believe to keep your memories, your "soul"? Or what?

Well there is a religion that belives that when christ comes again bringing the world into a new millenium that we will be resurected and we will live in our perfected bodies (which is primarily what i agree with). So... i guess that may answer your question if you dont believe that memories can be stored in your "soul".

[FFFZombii]

I just hope there is an afterlife. Because I'd rather not spend my entire afterlife in complete darkness and inexistance (although I'm pretty young and shouldn't be talking, I still have plenty more years to come).

[BLAZZE-]

This thread is making me emo.

Stop it.

[WindScarred's Mommy]

Originally Posted by tsugomaru

I want to see myself at the top one day. Life for me is a game. We are just walking through it gaining what we can. And even if there is no afterlife, I personally think that people do not truly die until they are forgotten.

~Tsugomaru

We have 2 goals in life,our first to start out almost completely unknown to the world.Our motivation is to move up in the ranks and become on top.We have to struggle,go through good times and bad but in the end it will all be worth it.Our Second Goal in life is to avoid Death...whatever the cost.Once we die we arent forgotten.Once you die then you wont care if there is not more for you....all you need in life is to know that other cared about you....and still do.........

[WindScarred's Mommy]

Originally Posted by FFFZombii

I just hope there is an afterlife. Because I'd rather not spend my entire afterlife in complete darkness and inexistance (although I'm pretty young and shouldn't be talking, I still have plenty more years to come).

Well yes....I wonder what death is like...wether its just darkness forever....
Heaven where everything is sweet and pure with Angels (id say god and his son but im not sure what oher eligions believe in)
or Hell where we suffer eternally with the darkesst soul of all....Satan
(Last Name:Wong) (CHINEESE ARE EVIL!!!)

[FoJaR]

Originally Posted by TheRapingDragon

Because I believe that memories are part of your brain, when you die your brain dies, if anything we are a collection of molecules, bacteria, etc. When we die all of that scatters to find another organism to inhabit, thus everything about "you" is broken up, scattered, and replaced. Thus, if anything of you "lives on" it will never be in the same original form, with the same original memories.

Apologies if some of that seems stupid, my science never was A* material.

nah that makes sense if that's what you believe i guess.

just didnt understand since you didnt explain it right off.

[FoJaR]

Originally Posted by Cj_leonine

Dear Fojar, Quadruple post.

hey thanks! this forum doesnt have multi quote, at least not that i know of, and i'm too lazy to go around copying and pasting, so there ya go!

[FoJaR]

Originally Posted by TheRapingDragon

Sarah, quick bit of advice, especially seeing as how this is the critical thinking section - try to type out your words. "You" instead of "u" takes no time at all. People will tend to not pay attention to your post as much if you litter it with "text speak" such as "tell u wut u were".

Also, you are talking about reincarnation.

Also, Fojar I forgot to mention, but you tell me you won't make the leap to believe that your memories will go at death, yet you also tell another person that the brain dies at death, meaning "no workey workey".

If the brain is where your memories are stored, and it dies, then how can you keep your memories, what then do you believe to keep your memories, your "soul"? Or what?

yeah, basically the soul can hold memories is what i believe.

and as i recall that kid said his brain like flew out and controlled a mothership upon death, or something.

[FoJaR]

Originally Posted by Angel Shiyue

Most of my motivation is that I want to make a mark on the world before I leave. Pretty much just something that people will remember me by when I'm gone. It scares me to think that once I die, that's it. No one will really remember me, etc.

that's a sad way to live.

and i'm not just saying that because i cant really stand you.

[FRANKKK]

Quote:
Originally Posted by Angel Shiyue
Most of my motivation is that I want to make a mark on the world before I leave. Pretty much just something that people will remember me by when I'm gone. It scares me to think that once I die, that's it. No one will really remember me, etc.


i kinda see where your coming from with that, but i mean you shouldnt be worried because if you're happy that your living, thats all that really matters. you should be happy with yourself, thats what lifes all about

[Happy1n0n]

I believe there's the possibility of an afterlife; I don't believe or disbelieve. However, my motivation would just be to enjoy life, be happy, have fun and so on... ^_^

[FRANKKK]

exactly
same here
thats how it should be

[8Shade8]

My motivation? I think that if hope that if there is no afterlife, then I will be reincarnated. There has to be something right? Well ****, if I dissapear for eterntiy, I just hope that I can make the most out of this life.

[masterhickle]

Originally Posted by windsurfer-sp

Ok first of all I think that ppl who dont believe in an afterlife dont have motivation for life but keep on living because there instincts are to do so. Its a sort of bio-mechanical natural response of such, they are also taught to by parents and such. Thats why ppl who are suicidal have broken what they are naturally trained to do, which is to survive.

I disagree with this statement.

I agree with the people that posted about not believing in the afterlife. If there is an afterlife, what is your motivation to do everything right in this life? If you have an afterlife, you get the chance to make up for what you did.

I live my life like there is no afterlife. It doesn't mean I'm suicidal, that I'm just living on my instincts. It means that I want to live my life in such a way that I have fun with it.

To answer the question more directly: My motivation is to have people remember me, and remember me well. Go out on top, "with all guns firing."

[Cavernio]

I agree with Reach.