• Question: what is the point of life?

    Asked by proshotkill to Hitesh, Hywel, Mae, Nik, Tiffany on 13 Jun 2012.
    • Photo: Tiffany Taylor

      Tiffany Taylor answered on 13 Jun 2012:

      Wowza, that is a pretty big question – and one that is completely down to opinion. But in my mind, if you’re happy with your life you’re doing things right.

      However, looking at this question from an evolution angle, it’s all about making babies. If you followed your family line back, in an unbroken line, for about 4 BILLION years, you would find your earliest ancestor as one of the ancestors to all life around today. From bacteria to baboons. And since the beginning, evolution has made sure the lifeforms which are best adapted (can survive best) in the environment have more babies, and so pass on more genes which help their babies do better in the environment, and so they have more babies… and so on. Given a VERY long time, this process has given rise to all the different lifeforms you see today. And the only way to continue this line and pass on your genes, is to make babies. But like I said – this question isn’t really scientific, it’s down to your own happiness.

    • Photo: Nicola Ibberson

      Nicola Ibberson answered on 13 Jun 2012:

      I think Tiffany has pretty much summed it up from the scientific angle – the theory goes that the point of life is to pass on our genes. This theory has even attempted to explain why some people are homosexual: the idea is that they sacrifice passing on their own genes in order to help raise the babies of their other family members, increasing the chance that those babies will survive. This, indirectly, still allows the ‘gay’ individual to pass on their genes.

      Of course, the whole point of a theory is that it is exactly that – a theory, not a fact. Philosophers have debated for centuries about the purpose and meaning of human life, and what you believe to be true is likely to be influenced by so many different things – your upbringing, your religious beliefs, your own personality and character.

      Personally, I have no idea what the meaning of life is. Perhaps each person has a different purpose to the next. At the moment, I know what I want to achieve and I’m happy with trying to fulfil those achievements. I do panic from time to time that perhaps I’m missing out on something or missing the ‘point’ of life, but then that’s only natural to feel that way sometimes – it helps us to ensure we are always motivated to push our own boundaries.

    • Photo: Mae Woods

      Mae Woods answered on 13 Jun 2012:

      Firstly, I think the point is to enjoy life and take part in I’m a scientist!

      Secondly, the scientific answer that comes to mind is. “Survival of the fittest”

      This phrase was used by Herbert Spencer and Charles Darwin and put simply relates to the struggles of competing species in the fight for life.

      How this works in terms of biological molecules
      DNA is a very complicated and pretty molecule that looks like a twisted ladder, this is like the blue print of life and how this molecule is read affects what form of life will be made. As the interactions between the molecules in the species become more complicated, the species evolves (changes). Evolution can result in stronger species that may be faster, larger and stronger which is kind of like engineering a racing car to win a race (start with something simple and then make small improvements).

      However… different species may rely on each other for food and habitat so it is important for species to work together and not wipe each other out.

      This all sounds very complicated but I think it is fascinating and we have so much more to learn.

    • Photo: Hywel Owen

      Hywel Owen answered on 13 Jun 2012:

      This is a *very* big question that has been thought about since the dawn of time, and the answer must be difficult. If the answer were obvious, then everyone would agree about it!

      I think the answer ‘what is the point of life’ is closely related to whether you have a religious outlook or not. If you practise one of the world’s main religions: Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism etc. (in alphabetical order, not in order of preference!) then there is a clear purpose given in each, which is broadly either to ‘be good’, to ‘obtain enlightenment’, or to ‘find release’. There are many social advantages – and social disadvantages – to having a religion. Whether a particular one is ‘true’ or not is a big, big question.

      If you do not subscribe to a particular religion, or you are actively an atheist, in other words you believe there is no god, then the answer to your question can be one of the following:

      1) Since the Universe is destined to be destroyed in the far, far future, then there is no fundamental purpose to life. That seems a bit harsh to me!

      2) Evolution tells you that you should be passing on your genes to the next generation, so that is the ‘point’ of your existing: to create copies of your genes, and ensure they survive if you can. Some people view that as a rather extreme version what Richard Dawkins writes, but that’s probably unfair to Dawkins. I don’t like that view much either!

      3) Another evolutionary argument is that society as a whole should be preserved to make sure all of our genes survive, so we should help each other. Again, not that convincing an argument to me.

      4) Finally, we assume that we are here, and don’t worry about what our genes tell us, but try to figure out how to treat people in a way we would expect to be treated. That’s kind of the humanist argument, and is similar to some interpretations of religious beliefs. That seems like a decent compromise to me.

      Tiffany suggested that finding ‘happiness’ is what’s important. But maybe that’s not the case (or maybe it is!). After all, what makes you happy depends to some extent on the cultural background you’ve had. An interesting question is what is the right balance between being happy, being a good person, and being fulfilled. They’re not always all the same.

      Some interesting books on the subject of life:

      Alain de Botton – Philosophy, A Guide to Happiness
      Julian Jaynes – The Origin of Consciousness in the Breakdown of the Bicameral Mind
      Richard Dawkins – The Blind Watchmaker
      Robert Pirsig – Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
      Paul Tillich – The Courage to Be

    • Photo: Hitesh Dave

      Hitesh Dave answered on 13 Jun 2012:

      Phylosophy of my life is enjoy the each and every things comes in life.. Love the things u studying, working, playing etc… You need to satisfy your mind and rest will come on your way automatically.. Scientifically I agree with other scientists that we need to pass on our good genes to next generation to make this world better place to live..

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