Buddeh, why are we here for?

What is the point of life? Sometimes, I just sit down and think "mate, what am I doing here?" My mate (the supposed creator of the universe who knows all) doesn't answer my question. I'm a bit confused. I feel like we should explore this topic, because existential crises are better when experienced with others. Probably. Perhaps by exploring philosophical debates surrounding this question, we will become even more nihilistic (or is that just me?), or we just might find our purpose. Who knows?

The idea of God brings meaning to some. The idea that our purpose is to serve and obey God and live by his word. Why? So much suffering is in this world, and we often see people we love in pain. Why should we find purpose in serving a God that doesn’t save them from anguish? On the other hand, the world has many beautiful aspects, places, processes and people, and it seems foolish to think it was all random.

But the suffering in this world tells me that if there is a creator, we can question their true nature. Omni-benevolence or indifference?

I’m not sure what to believe. I understand both sides. It makes sense to not wanting to believe in a God that allows hurt to flourish, but it also makes sense to put faith in something that brings hope and certainty when we have no answers.

My solution? I think it’s ok to be angry. At God. At the universe. Just in general. Stuff can be crap at times and honestly there is no meaning to it. It is reductive to say there is. I suppose this debate will be something that doesn’t have an answer. Maybe that’s better.

If God doesn’t exist, what is the meaning of life? Is there an objective meaning?

Nihilism is a group of beliefs – all of them depressing (jk). All of them reject some form of concept of objectivity within reality. There are different focuses within nihilism, for example moral nihilism focuses on morality (shocker) and is the belief that objective moral laws are an illusion and non-existent - morality arises purely from society and culture. We shall focus on existential nihilism, which is the belief that life has no objective meaning. In reality, one day we will all die and eventually the earth will be swallowed by its life giver. So, yeah. Nothing matters. Chuckles nervously in existential crisis

My bad, that took a dark turn. But really, it's just moving away from (perhaps) false comfort. If you were in a simulation for example, and everyone you loved were merely programs, would you rather live in obliviousness, or would you rather live in lonely truth? For me, this is not an easy question to answer, but I can see how living in a depressing truth is better than living in a lie - because none of it is real.

Let us then apply this to our (probably less devastating) original problem. Would we rather believe in an objective meaning to provide us with comfort even though it may be false, or would we rather accept the notion that life, suffering, pain, and experiences are without a singular "point", which makes it a little scarier and heavy? Accepting the more uncomfortable choice may be the more honest one. It is a personal choice.

If you are feeling a bit hopeless, don’t, because we can turn this into something beautiful by looking into existentialism.

As a hopeless romantic, I have always wanted to believe in the idea of soulmates - that one person who is out there for you. I mean the spiritual kind too, like this was decided before you were both even alive. You were meant to be together. However, one day, me and my brother had a deep philosophical debate (as you do), and I got to thinking. Does having a soulmate make the relationship less meaningful?

In a regular relationship (where both are you know, nice people), they choose each other every single day. There is a beauty in that. They are not with each other because the universe wants it that way, they are together because they want each other and they love each other completely for who they are. In a soulmate-type situation, the love exists, but is it chosen or purely just made that way? Is there more meaning in a relationship where the two choose each other every second of every day, even though they can decide not to?

My point here is that determinism (the core idea being the future is set), removes the agency that provides meaning. If life has no pre-determined meaning, but we decide what brings us, personally, meaning, is that not more meaningful? Jeez, I've said variations of the word "meaning" a lot.

Existentialism takes nihilism one one step further. Sure, no objective meaning. However, that doesn't mean you cannot create your own meaning. Jean-Paul Sartre, a philosopher, playwright, and existentialist, famously said “Existence precedes essence.” Woah, that’s deep (probably, I’m not entirely sure what he’s on about, let me double check) ...

What he is saying is you were born without a defined purpose. The beauty in this is you can find what matters to you, you can find meaning in the everyday - a café date with someone you love, the look in your partner's eyes, a laugh with your best friend, or even, a debate with your big brother. And is that not more beautiful? Destiny feels a lot safer, but choice provides depth and warmth.

My question here however is what about people who suffer intensely?

Life for some, is so difficult, that we cannot expect them to just "find meaning". Moments of meaning may be present - in love, hope, acts of choice, or simply survival, but honestly, it doesn't feel like enough. Perhaps, it is wrong to say we must all find our own meaning.

What are we left with if meaning is neither objective nor personal? What are we doing here? Absurdism says that we should not pretend like we know of a meaning, but we should live on despite that. Albert Camus, a philosopher and novelist, said that our search for meaning clashes with reality - life is random and weird. Maybe we should stop looking for meaning and just carry on going.

This is, of course, easier said than done, however, it can be empowering to some. It's like saying "beep you universe, I'm just gonna chill here despite your downright rude behaviour. Oh, and I don't like you very much. blows raspberries ". This is a nice idea, I think, but what am I living for?

I know that some things are out of our control and knowledge, and we must accept that, but to keep going through life, do you not need a reason? Those that do not have one, perhaps cannot easily say "I will carry on despite this". Maybe the meaning of life is simply the one thing that keeps you going. Your reason. Through pain, suffering, hardship. That one thing that impacts you more than something you are going through.

Let me connect this to a prominent topic in today's society: euthanasia. If someone's pain overtakes any reason they have to help them get up in the morning, and there is no way out, can we really tell them they must carry on? This is where philosophy becomes real and personal. Without a reason to keep on going, meaning may become lost.

Friedrich Nietzsche, a philosopher and writer once said "He (or she, it's 2026 folks) who has a Why to live for can bear almost any How".

A psychiatrist and Holocaust survivor, Viktor Frankl, quite liked this quote. He observed that many Holocaust victims held on to their own “why” - a partner, a child, a passion, an ambition - which helped them endure the pain they faced every day. This didn’t make the conditions easy, but it was their reason to keep going.

Meaning doesn't have to be pretty; meaning doesn't have to make you happy all the time. Meaning just helps you hold on. And it's beautiful.

Well... I suppose I’ve got some sort of answer for myself.

I need sleep.

Now, I realise that this blog was heavy hitting, so if you were affected by any of this fun talk, this is my message to you.