What's the point in living?

[Dancook]

I don't want to get morbid about the subject, but objectively - what is the point in living?

I am athiest and do not believe in life after death, this is not a religious debate - and I do not want opinions arguing life after death.

Sometimes I just wonder why we bother living, once we die we've forgotton about all that we did and makes life seem so fruitless. People say our memories live on, but once we die - what does that actually matter to us. Yes you can argue we have good times, but what If i were to end my life right now? I wouldn't feel like I've missed out, why? because I'm dead.

Some people think it's not a sad thing to die doing something you love? I love drinking, so maybe I could enjoy drinking myself to death? Or even rob banks, live a life with money then go out fighting till the end! I can see why people choose to become criminals.

What does everyone else think?

[dognosh]

Me too, I am atheist but I have no great desire to rob a bank or hurt anyone, maybe you need religion ?

[Sporran]

i dont really want to worry about the point tbh you end up scratching your head for nothing.

I just want to get on, have an enjoyable life, be with my wife, round my family enjoy my brother kids have a laff.

Doing the things i/we want to do and try to be a nice person.

Am i worried about dying more certianly not.

As for your question i dont care.

[lisag]

Hi Dan,

It's a good question and I am looking forward to the debate - but are you feeling depressed, cos if you are please don't contemplate too much on death vs life. Even if there isn't any point to life, it is still worth living, you never know what might happen next...

lisa

[Dancook]

I get depressed from time to time - what with stress of the house and work... and whether I will find the right woman, after recently coming out of a 5 year relationship with marriage plans. Yes, so maybe I'm wondering if there's light at the end of the tunnel.

[dennis]

get a serious illness like me and see how much life means to you,sounds like you need some help mate.

[Toasty]

“The world is a thing of utter inordinate complexity and richness and strangeness that is absolutely awesome. I mean the idea that such complexity can arise not only out of such simplicity, but probably absolutely out of nothing, is the most fabulous extraordinary idea. And once you get some kind of inkling of how that might have happened ‘ it’s just wonderful. And . . . the opportunity to spend 70 or 80 years of your life in such a universe is time well spent as far as I am concerned.” - Douglas Adams

[dognosh]

Originally Posted by Dancook

I get depressed from time to time - what with stress of the house and work... and whether I will find the right woman, after recently coming out of a 5 year relationship with marriage plans. Yes, so maybe I'm wondering if there's light at the end of the tunnel.

There is always light at the end of the tunnel
And make sure you continue posting on this thread,don't let it build up

[Dancook]

Originally Posted by Toasty

“The world is a thing of utter inordinate complexity and richness and strangeness that is absolutely awesome. I mean the idea that such complexity can arise not only out of such simplicity, but probably absolutely out of nothing, is the most fabulous extraordinary idea. And once you get some kind of inkling of how that might have happened ‘ it’s just wonderful. And . . . the opportunity to spend 70 or 80 years of your life in such a universe is time well spent as far as I am concerned.” - Douglas Adams

That actually is a good + on the side of living

[lisag]

Dan - 5 years is a long time to be with someone, you must be grieving the end of that relationship and grieving does make you go slightly mad (from experience). I got counselling when my boyfriend died and it helped me enormously, maybe you could try talking to someone.

Or, if that is not your cup of tea, just focus on things you enjoy doing (films, sports, gaming?) and when you are feeling bleak try and accept it as normal for what you have been through, knowing that they way you feel is constantly changing so will probably improve soon.

lisa

[Dancook]

Originally Posted by dennis

get a serious illness like me and see how much life means to you,sounds like you need some help mate.

I don't think i really need help - ok maybe it's selfish and heartless.. but once you're dead what's does it matter about people around you - you're dead you don't need to consider the consequences.

I only tried to OD once.. but it was a half hearted attempt -- large does antibiotics just makes you violently sick for a day... I don't think I have the will to try anything serious.

[Kieron]

Difficult one to answer. Do you have children?

I thank God every day for mine - they are the greatest thing in my world, they never cease to amaze me.

Maybe you need to put more into your life. A very old chap who I didn't particularly know that well once said to me "enjoy your life son".

That was nearly 10 years ago. Since then I've tried to fill my life with things that I probably wouldn't have done.

I've jumped out of planes, owned sports cars, bought a Harley Davidson (having passed my bike test after the above advice), met the girl of my dreams, got married, had 3 more children, bought a house, seen the world, work in a job I love, took up boxing (I have my first fight in February in front of 400 people), shot a gun - the list goes on and on.

I've passed the same advice to my children. I didn't want to get to 70+ years old and then thought to myself "wow, I wish I had done that when I was younger..."

Life's what you make of it. Nobody can do it for you. Life has a knack of kicking you in the groin and patting you on the head the next day. My 3rd son was born 2 years ago - he's a little miracle. Then 6 months later my Mum passed away of cancer.

3 months ago my Dad passed away of a massive heart attack.

And that's life. Up one minute - down the next.

It's certainly better than never having existed though.

I do believe in the afterlife too. My Dad didn't, but I know that he's up in heaven (with my Mum) watching me enjoy my life.

As ever, just my opinions.....

[Dancook]

Originally Posted by lisag

knowing that they way you feel is constantly changing so will probably improve soon.

lisa

Yes I woke up this morning bright and cheery.... and now look how things have changed I'm sure by tomorrow I'll have deeply buried it again.

I'm sure if I win the lottery, I'll feel much better.

[Dancook]

Originally Posted by Kieron

Difficult one to answer. Do you have children?

No I don't, I am 25.. but I do want children. Actually that's one thing I look forward to being, a father.

Originally Posted by Kieron

I've jumped out of planes, owned sports cars, bought a Harley Davidson (having passed my bike test after the above advice), met the girl of my dreams, got married, had 3 more children, bought a house, seen the world, work in a job I love, took up boxing (I have my first fight in February in front of 400 people), shot a gun - the list goes on and on.

Maybe I'll have a look into firing a gun.. and taking up a martial arts of some sort. I got to the gym and swim regularly which fills up my time at the mo.

[jimborae]

This one is easy to answer from a certain point of view - The point of living is to procreate and continue the species and your lineage.

On a more personal level the answer becomes a lot more complex I would imagine.