We're complex biological machines originally engineered by statistics as optimized meat-sacks to transport and propagate a set of genes on a rock falling through the emptiness of space. The meat sacks got good at self-awareness, developed science, and built complex social and political institutions. There's no intrinsic meaning.
The purpose of our bodies is to carry and propagate genes. But, in the sense of taking self-awareness and the capacity for abstract thought into account it's about whatever we decide it's about. For most of human history it's been about finding enough food to not die, and not getting eaten by anything, and not getting killed by anyone, and not falling off of anything, and not freezing to death, and finding a better cave, and having sex.
Now people make it about everything from dying for their god, to serving their community, to smoking weed and speed-running Resident Evil.
We're mostly on the same page. But I think you got the question wrong - they more likely would like to know how HN users try to live a life which is meaningful (to themselves). That's the kind of meaning which does exist!
I am older and have observed that many people like myself believe in the biblical narrative of God's plan for mankind.
Whether you believe in the bible or not life is about work, finding a partner, sometimes having children, spending time with friends and being part of a community.
I would encourage you to read the Gospel of Mark in the bible as it is the shortest gospel. Mark will give you a snapshot of what many believe life is about and how life should be lived.
Many christians and non-christians express issues that cannot be known as fact. We all have faith in something and should investigate differing points of view.
As a Christian, to me life is about knowing God. (If God exists, and we can know him, what else should life be about?) And by "knowing", I don't mean knowing information or theology. If God is someone, instead of just something, it's about knowing him as someone - a relationship.
But if God isn't actually there, that's all futile. The biggest thing would then be the universe - physics, maybe? But humans are personal, and an impersonal universe is cold. So I would say, if not God, then human relationships.
Allow me to share my two cents on the subject mon amie!
> As a Christian, to me life is about knowing God.
Religious definitions of God do not hold water to the trained mind in my view.
The idea that God cannot be comprehended by lesser beings is reasonable though. Does God exist?
The only answer that makes sense comes from Goethe's magnum opus:
MARGARET: Do you believe in God?
FAUST: who dares to confess:
‘I believe in him’?
Yet who, in feeling,
Self-revealing,
Says: ‘I don’t believe’?
How can a person find meaning? I don't think anyone can find meaning. Everyone can give meaning though and that is divine.
I like philosophy because enables a person to choose who this person wants to be.
If being a Christian has meaning for you, by all means do it! Be the best Christian you can be!
I've came across a talk by Roberto Saviano, the other day. He said something that stuck with me because it was the second time I came across that quote: "Be kind. Random, daily actions of kindness is the most terrifying form resistance!".
Socrates, the father of modern philosophy and for many the father of science, believed[1] that a person has an obligation to become the best version of himself. It's an interesting narrative.
[1] We don't really know what Socrates believed, all we know about him is through Plato. I don't find that important at this point in history, but being pedantic on this website is a virtue ;-)
I'm completely uninterested in playing pretend. If God isn't really there, then Christianity might still be an interesting ethical system, but I would have no interest in it as a religion.
I don't have a direct answer for you. At least not one that make sense beyond the context of my own life.
That being said, I like to think of everything in life as a means, rather than an end. The people I surround myself with, the material possessions I bring into your life, the food and water I consume and the ideas I exposed myself to can either enhance my existence or become clutter and crutches. The old saying "the things you own end up owning you", applies to all of the above. It is your decision if these things are tools or toys.
So while you're out there figuring out what the meaning of your life is, take stock of the "things" you've introduce and ask if they are enhancing your journey. This has been my criterion for abandoning bad habits, cutting out toxic people and getting away from social media (your question compelled me despite my better judgement).
The flip side to that is whether you are enhancing the lives of those you are around. Are you a coworker that elevates your teams, are you a supportive friend, are you a kind neighbor? You're presence is a gift you give to others.
Some context would've been nice! "for humans", I assume you mean.
This strikes me as not a good question, akin to Kent Brockman/Smartline's "Religion: Which is the one true faith?" Life doesn't have "a" meaning, assuming by "all about" you mean something in that ballpark. Meaning is always meaning -for-someone.
Or maybe you mean, what is most important. That too seems a matter of some person's values.
Life itself is only concerned with perpetuating itself through DNA replication and transmission. Outside of that there really isn't any ultimate purpose if that is what you are asking.
The purpose of our bodies is to carry and propagate genes. But, in the sense of taking self-awareness and the capacity for abstract thought into account it's about whatever we decide it's about. For most of human history it's been about finding enough food to not die, and not getting eaten by anything, and not getting killed by anyone, and not falling off of anything, and not freezing to death, and finding a better cave, and having sex.
Now people make it about everything from dying for their god, to serving their community, to smoking weed and speed-running Resident Evil.
What a time to be alive.