On top of Twin Peaks

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Posted 255 days ago | 7 comments

The Purpose of Life

There is only one "purpose" in life that I can see; make sure your genes stay alive. Every organism on this planet seems to pursue that goal almost exclusively. Most human endeavors can be found to be rooted in survival and reproduction as well. Owning nice things for example increases your social status, and the likelihood that you'll find a mate. Our bodies make sure we adhere to this rule in myriad ways, and I don't think it's possible or advisable to ignore it.

But that's the purpose of life in general, not human life persay. The beautiful thing is that, though we are just as wired to propagate our species as a bee or a cat, we are endowed with enough intellectual complexity to see beyond the survival of our own genes and find higher purpose.

The general consensus seems to be that human happiness and pleasure are good, and pain and suffering are bad. The problem is how to achieve the most pleasure for the most people. As you pointed out there are two schools of thought on that subject. The first which I'd call the Socialist view says that we can make ourselves happy by making everyone else happy, because we are only as happy as those around us. The other which I'd call the Libertarian view, says that we should all make ourselves happy because we are the ones best able to determine what we need.

In typical American fashion I find myself a centrist. I believe that in the end, no one is responsible for my happiness but me, and if I'm not happy I have no one to blame but myself. However, I realize there are those who don't have the advantages I have (education, white-male-ness, and IMHO good looks) and so, I think it's also necessary to contribute my surpluses to those who need them.

The beauty of sharing is that it not only improves the collective happiness of society, but also serves to assuage my body's need for social acceptance. Every time I reach into my pocket and hand something of mine to someone who needs it, I get back their appreciation, their acceptance and deep down my genes are sure that they are in a better position because of it.

Posted 273 days ago | 2 comments