I often wonder, does there have to be a meaning beyond being decent to others and enjoying yourself - Enjoying the sights and sounds and feelings?

Why worry about meaning? If you spend your life searching for the meaning of life you're never going to find it.

There is no meaning. I'm here because my parents had irresponsible sex. I'm here so I'm going to make the best I can of it, but there's no big "answer" in all of it. People live, people die. It's just that simple.

Life doesn't have an inherent meaning, but I love learning, laughing and exploring.

Life has no inherent meaning. We give it meaning by our own actions/inaction.

"Life means living, which I intend to continue doing. That's meaning enough." This could be one response.

Well, if you've ever watched The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, the answer to the meaning of like is 42 which if you seperate it is 4 and 2 or in Japenese Shi and ni which together shini means death.

But if you're like me then the meaning of life is to live you days and never look back becasue the past is done and the future is never promised but it is an adventure to find

I'm a bit on the existentialist side. Whatever meaning there is in life is the meaning you create with people you care about who care about you, with your decisions and actions.

I agree with you on your reasoning ?. And I like to think of an analogy of ants or honey bees.. ants or honey bees are small, not very cognizant of the vast universe that they reside in and spend their existence in.. yet they care for each other, work hard for the well-being of their fellow beings.. no need to interject the supernatural..

42

My life is meaningful. Maybe because I've experienced an inordinate amount of loss, but I can't imagine having all these rich experiences and feelings without meaning. Just because I don't live for God's purpose doesn't mean my life is without purpose and meaning.

A large number of people that I have talked to have trouble with that. Trouble with the meaning of life, trouble with the meaning of evolution. People, it doesn't have a meaning, get over it.

The meaning of life is to exist. That's all. Even when you "die", the cells in your body are still alive. As you decompose, the bacteria absorbs your body, and becomes a part of it. Bacteria is alive, so a part of you does as well. And since everything in you once was part of an exploding star, that means the meaning of life is to exist.

Don't panic! Bring a towel!

I think that we all make meaning in our own life and I love the patchwork quilt of comments here about how everybody does just that - constructs meaning for themselves - Some things people say here touch me deeply and that communication seems to me what keeps us vital.

Philosophy Teacher: Ben, what is the secret of life?

Ben: Hellllllooooooo! It's a SECRET!

Philosophy Teacher: Ho-Kaaaayyy! Let's try it this way. What is the MEANING of life?

Ben: DUH! To keep the secret.

Philosophy Teacher: Who sent you?

I agree..people always need reasons or meaning. Universe owes us nothing.

I think there is a bit more to it. I think we have the capacity to see our evolution and decide how we want to contribute to it all. Seeing it and understanding that presents an oportunity to enhance the human condition.

So this is a question I’ve asked in my life too.

I believe this is where atheists and humanists can meet with those who follow religions in the way that we should be good to everyone and treat people well including ourselves. If Heaven and Hell exist it’s on Earth and what we create for ourselves and others.

Reverse it on them. Here we go. If there IS a god what is the meaning of life. Let them fill it all in just like they want to and ask them if any of this would work without a god.
If what they tell you back is that we are really just here for god's pleasure and to do his will ask them why you would want to do this. Play this right and it will boil down to "nobody wants to die and we all want to live forever."
Now you see the reason for religions.Nothing here about god and his love, or love in general.

The meaning of life is life itself. What more do you need?
And if you have a problem with life itself, why do you need a infinite afterlife of it?

Exactly!

They don't get it do they? I believe your every word on this.

My standard reply to this kind of thing is: There is no reason why any adult should feel that life is meaningless in the absence of a delusional belief.
It shifts the discussion away from trying to describe a meaningful life, back towards a discussion about the make-believe aspect that props up their mental health.
It puts the onus on them to justify their position. i.e Why do they need a belief in an unseen being to give their life meaning?

Since nothing actually exists until it is observed and or measured, intelligent life is required, if you believe in the anthropic principle, therefore the purpose of life is to facilitate existence.