Owl
desert pelican
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2008
- Messages
- 717
- MBTI Type
- INTP
Do you have a strong, positive outlook on life and feel secure, in that you're here and existing for a reason, that life has meaning and that you hold a purpose? How often do you question your stable and secure mentality (assuming you have one)? How do you deal with the doubts when they arise?
I want to see how it varies from person to person.
I have a positive, (as defined above), outlook on life, but this does not always translate into feeling good about life. But warm fuzzy feelings and sensual pleasure, while nice to have, are neither necessary nor sufficient for happiness.
E.g. If I pumped you full of "happy pills" and hooked you up to a pleasure machine, but you knew that your family and friends were dying, would you feel good?
I question my purpose almost every day. (You're not alone.) I deal with my doubts rationally, and then I let my feelings catch up with my thoughts.
Like, really do people just not think about this? Do most people choose to believe in something that comforts them (God/afterlife) and then shun the prospect of anything different?
Is it good to think about this? If a person thought it good to search out answers to these questions, then he would. That so few persons do is an indication that most don't believe it is good to do so; a man's belief about what is good is made evident by what he does.
Some men may believe in God and the afterlife because of psychological and practical concerns. But psychological and practical concerns may also lead a man to choose not to believe in God and an afterlife; what would it mean for an individual life if God did exist? Would a man be willing to recognize that he is a creature, totally dependent on God for all things?
^"Because life is good even if it's painful"
What about when it's not good? We strive to make changes and fulfill what's empty. Then you question, why even do that? What happens when things go wrong again, or when it's not enough? What do you live for? Is it the next pleasant moment/period of life?
I have a rather good life. I have an amazing family. There's nothing inherently wrong with me. But I often look at people that have it so much worse than I do and I have to wonder how they make it through. Where does their motivation stem from? Can people really just live life without even feeling a need to question their existence?
I'm just stimulating discussion. I'm not freaking out really, if it appears that way. hah
Why would life not be good? What is good?
There's a comedian... can't remember his name... who cracked this joke: "a teacher asked a student to define ignorance and arrogance, the student replied, "I don't know, and I don't care."" Ignorance is bliss. Right?
What have you seen? Where do people go on Friday night? Are the libraries the hot place to go on Friday night? Do they have trouble keeping Plato's Republic on the shelves? C'mon, do you really think people are concerned with seeking to know what is good?
Or do most people think that wine, women, and song, or--in today's parlance--sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll are good? (Well, som people might settle for a six-figure salary, a mansion, a trophy wife, and a big ol' boat. Wouldn't that be sweet!) If you had these things in abundance, you couldn't fail to be happy. Don't you agree Mr. Cobain? If you didn't have these things, then life would be insufferable. Isn't that correct, Mr. Frankl?
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