Can you come up with a valid argument to the following statement?

Question

Life is a pointless thing. Some people realize this, and we label them as depressed but really all they are is aware of the reality around them. Everybody who likes their life is in denial. They ignore the problems around them and they think that as long as they are happy, life is good. They are narrow minded and cant comprehend that there is a 99.9999999999% chance that their life will have no meaning in the grand scheme of things. They cant understand that they are just here. That's it. There's no point. People try all their lives, they work hard in grade school and college to get a great job. But the reality is that they will be doing a job they hate for nearly the rest of their life. And they will work hard five days a week and then maybe enjoy a Saturday once in a while. I don't know about you but a 5:1 ratio isn't good enough for me. I don't think its worth it,

Prove me wrong?

Answer 1

Heck yes I can prove you wrong! Haven't you ever smiled? Haven't you ever run free, the wind in your hair and the grass in your toes? Haven't you even leapt for joy, inhaled the rich scent of freshly baked brownies? Haven't you ever fallen in love? These are the great moments in life, not when you get that big promotion or graduate college. Every life has a meaning. Every single person on the earth affects people around them and has the ability to change the world! There is a reason optimists are happier than pessimists or even depressed people. That reason is because optimists can see the light in a situation. Make no mistake, that light is not an illusion. There is a reason there are many more happy people than depressed people. But there is also a reason for people like you. When you say, a 5:1 ratio doesn't sound good to me, you're setting yourself up. Who says life can't happen on a Monday, a Wednesday? Who says you can't witness a miracle on a Tuesday? Who says??! Who says you can't change the world, just because today is a Thursday? Nobody but you says that, and once you stop saying that, it's no longer true.

One of the greatest parts of life is that we all have the same thing. We're all living, on this world. No matter how long or short your life will be, it's a life and you got the same card as everyone else. We all share the burdeon, for the burdeon is what allows us to see the good shining around the edges. It's a great life, and don't deny it!

Answer 2

I must point out that there are two types of meaning:



1) Universal meaning (e.g. as you put it 'the grand scheme of things').

2) Personal meaning



In regard to humans there probably is no universal meaning. There is only personal meaning. Some things must mean something to you? i.e. things in your life have some meaning yes? So life isn't pointless in that regard.



There is also another take on things, answer this question and you will know the meaning of life:



Q) Why do people build sand castles if they are only going to get knocked down or washed away?

Answer 3

I belief that the point of life . . . . is life. Look around you, the world is a beautiful thing. I believe that going to college and getting careers is a good and bad thing. Its a wonderful thing if you are doing what you love which is what life is about. Its a bad thing when you are forced into a job or career that you hate. Life is not a test, its a gift, the most beautiful things in life were not made out of necessity, they were made out of an understanding of the world around them. People that are depressed are just people that belive that what they see is what they get, and most of the time its not good. You have to look past all the vanity of people and objects and think "why am i here?" its not to prepare for the end of you life. If you are doing something all your life without loving life then you are the one that is blind. Just look around you at nature and the stars, they are the only thing that is going to be there long after you. They are what gives us life and what takes it. Im someone who believes that if you are truly happy with life then nothing can hurt you. Im someone who can life a simple life and enjoy it because i know what to really care for and what to truly worry about. Becuase if you are thinking of the bad in life then that is what you are going to get

Answer 4

Everybody defines their own values, yes? For example, a significant number of people think owning 8 seasons of Southpark is worth a couple hundred dollars. Many people wouldn't give 10 bucks for it. A pro-Southpark person cannot "come up with a valid argument" that will prove to an anti-Southpark person that they should fork over the $200. It's a matter of personal values, a matter of taste. We determine for ourselves what the point of our lives is. Yes, life is brief. All evidence and memory of us will soon, in the grand scheme, be obliterated and forgotten. Yes, life is full of pain. But, there are also many pleasures to be had. You "don't think it is worth it." I do. It's your life; do with it what you want. Throw it away. Let it waste away. Whatever. My advice, and my choice for my life is: enjoy it while you can in whatever way seems best. Why hasten its end. That will come soon enough.

Answer 5

Prove yourself wrong. When you were younger, what did you enjoy playing with. What activity did you enjoy doing? And what happened between then and now to turn you into a miserable old man before your time. BTW, where is it written that in order for me to be ok, then I have to do something that's gonna change the world? You are too closed minded. Become a good listener instead. And in order for something to exist outside of you, it must first exist inside of you. Don't worry about changing the world, just change your world. But I know some people who like being miserable.

Answer 6

First of all, I could just love to state that incorrect is subjective. I do agree that, in essence, lifestyles is certainly pointless. However, just because men and women detect that, it does no longer necessarily lead them to depressed. It is a depressing fact that just about every body's lifestyles will likely be normally pointless, however that's *normally*. True love will make 2 men and women's lives have a factor. Although their love for every different won't stop a nuclear conflict, worldwide warming, habitat destruction, homicide, stealing, adultery, and so forth., they're going to have a factor in every others lives; offering happiness to one another. And it is because of happiness, men and women experience their lives. Not because they don't detect or are in denial of the truth that lifestyles is normally pointless. Why do you assume that they could robotically just forget about the problems round them and feel that their lifestyles is well? Ignoring problems don't lead them to leave. And if they've problems, how would they be glad? It could be very contradictory. Not EVERYONE's lifestyles is set in stone as you're claiming they're. Not every body "paintings[s] rough in grade school and tuition to get a fine process". Why could any person wish to do a task "they hate for virtually the rest in their lifestyles"? The answer is to get something out of it, so motivation to show up daily is absolutely there. People just don't seem to be designed to be miserable robots. Every single person on the earth has unfastened will.

Answer 7

Well first of all, it isn't incumbent on anyone else to "prove you wrong". When you make an assertion, the burden of proof is on *you* to prove that it is true. Furthermore, your "premises" are suspect, since we don't know the reasoning behind assertions like "everyone who likes their life is in denial," and "the reality is that [most people] will be doing a job they hate for nearly the rest of their life". I see no reason to accept these premises at face value.



It's one thing to say what you believe; it's another to claim that it is or can be made into a logically valid argument.

Answer 8

Maybe life doesn't exactly have a point. Maybe you're right.



But some people won't accept that.



So they push themselves.



They realize some of their dreams.



They work hard, thinking about them on the way. On their way to them.



Some of us never stop until we succeed in finding that dream.



Sometimes realizing and achieving a dream can open doors to the next one.



Then in the midst of things, sometimes we find partners to share our lives with. This more often than not, can help complete us.



I don't know about you, but although I see lots of imperfection in every day life, I still see potential. For myself and others.



Don't be so negative. I know it's easier said than done, but it really gets you nowhere.

Answer 9

People who see a dim reality are very narrow-minded. THey forget to see the beauty in everything around them. Did they see that brilliant sunrise that only glowed for you? Did they hear that loving bird singing songs of joy and happiness?? Did they smell those glorious flowers while they were heading to work? People who are depressed are very self-centered because they think they are the center of the universe. When they realized that they weren't, they became like a baby and shut themselves off to all the beauty. Rather than being the center, maybe they should consider that they are just as important as that sunrise, the bird, the flower....we are all in it together!!!! We are part of the beauty, part of the creation. We are worth it!!! We choose to be here!!! We choose to make a difference and we are here for a very important reason!!!! Quit thinking about the self and start looking around. You're missing out on the beauty, the wholeness of our earth...it's magnicent!!! I'm happy and proud to be part of it all!!!

Answer 10

Yes I can come up with a valid argument. Your argument loses value because it begs the question, and it is based on inductive reasoning. Unless all points you make are cogent and valid your argument is defeated. Life may be pointless on the level you can see. But that doesn't mean there aren't other reasons for being here. Using the example of Platos cave we may think life is pointless, but we are only staring at the shadows of reality rather than reality itself.

Answer 11

What is wrong with all you people? I just read all the answers to this and quite frankly its just right down sad. I mean why wouldn't you want to have a successful life and make something of yourself and enjoy life instead of just "living" there are so many things that you could be doing right now instead of bashing on life hell you could probably even be going out and getting laid but with your outlook on life that probably doesn't happen to much. I am just going to say Its a free country look at life the way you want to but you better look forward to a shitty life i am going to continue creating a respectable life for myself that i can be proud of while i am lying on my death bed.

Answer 12

"Life is a pointless thing." - Life consists of everything in conception. So, everything in conception is pointless? If that were the case, the word "pointless" itself would not exist, as there would be no instance of counter-"point" within which to deploy the word. Kind of like how the word "hot" would not exist were there not something called "cold". What you've described is nothing more than pessimism.

Answer 13

Hitler had a mother as did any mover and shaker in the world. They affected the lives of millions, yet their progenitors were just ordinary nobodies. In the world of men, every set of genes has awesome power to alter the course of humanity. We have to live to procreate and to live, we must work and do routine things. These are necessary for life. You're near burnout because you know better than what you say. And you know the truth of what I say.

Answer 14

I wish not to argue or prove you wrong. Nor would I cram religion down your throat. I follow none but then I define religion as a way of life. I have a very rich spiritual life without a God. For me life is a celebration; a great joy! It has not always been this way and I would like to share with you my discoveries.

One day I asked a very important question, who am I. I have a body, I have a mind, I have a name, I have parents and I have a job but who or what is this I? I quickly realized without knowing who it is experiencing life, life is found to be baseless purposeless and without foundation. I swore I’d not do anything with this life until I found out who I am. Needless to say at one point I found myself sleeping under a bridge and like you very depressed. In 1961 I was in Los Angeles Cal. reading a news paper looking for a job. A add caught my eye. Maharishi Mahesh Yogi speaking on the Being the basis of all living in the Fine Arts Room at the North Ebel Club. A very prestigious place and I was in rages but I went anyway. An India fellow stopped me as I was turning away and said not to worry he would get me in. A long story short Maharishi pick me out from a huge audience and ask me for a private interview. A short man with beard and long hair introduced me to Transcendental Meditation. He gave me a mantra and an address for a follow up. He told me not to waste my life and there is every possibility I could awaken in this life time. He seemed to look right through me without any condemnation. http://www.mum.edu/video_maharishi.html

I practiced Transcendental meditation for some time. For years I studied every major religion in the world. I studied ontology, psychology, psychiatry, astrology, philosophy and on and on. Nothing, I was still in the dark. Then I ran across Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh better know today by Osho. I studied with him for many years and the lights came on but my search continued. http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AqFYhZH_3s__fM0qXTaxl2NG2vAI?p=osho+the+book+of+secrets&fr=my-myy-s&toggle=1&cop=&ei=UTF-8

The Book of Secrets by Osho is the best investment you will ever make. 112 keys to the mystery within. Today I am in a Monastery under the guidance of Asha Rishi Yogi, my namesake, an enlighten master. This may not be for you but I recommend you make contact with him on this forum. You will have to go through another with questions but he will answer you. He will destroy you but from the ashes a new being will arise. Peace, joy and fulfillment can be achieved if you have the guts to look.

Answer 15

life is what you make of it, man. I think I'm pretty lucky to be self-aware in this universe. I doubt there is a cosmic reason we exist, but that doesn't mean life is pointless, or that happy people are in denial. We are just here...and it's up to us to make the most of it.

Answer 16

life is a pointless thing?

in the scheme of things we are as we chose to be...

change that 5:1 ratio to 1 (uh, that's you)



would you rather never to have known your doubts

or would you rather long to live your doubts?

Answer 17

What about those of us who know there is no "meaning": and don't CARE? I dunno what's wrong with making the most of things. My ego isn't so big I require cosmic significance. Fortunately I have well paid job I like and can do in my sleep, and a hobby I get paid for, and people to love/love me. There is no more.

Answer 18

I think most people would just say life sucks, enjoy it. Not the worst philosophy if nothing matters anyway.

Answer 19

Can't prove you wrong, that's pure logic in your description. But life is here, so we make the most of it. I, for one, plan on having a blast. :)

Answer 20

You are exactly right, i mean; we are born, go to school, ge a job, retire and then die..it is very pointless because we dont do anything, really.

Answer 21

I want few suggestion to safe-guard and protect myself from committing mistakes again and again repeatedly. If we enter into arguments, only misunderstanding and enmity will grow.

Answer 22

i kinda agree C:



someone told me recently that there is no true happiness in life....at best it's contentment of their current surroundings

Answer 23

that's EXACTLY what i have been thinking for a while now, well, not exactly, i beleive it is worth it because if you are to die you no longer are, you do not exist, and i for one, would not choose non existence

Answer 24

Prove you wrong?

No, I agree with you.