The Meaning of Life..

Blog #5 AND #6

2008-06-20T10:40:00.000-07:00

Epicurus, a philosohper, believes that a simple virtous life is a meaningful one. People do not need alot of material thing to be happy. We can live happy lives by appreciating simple things that the Earth supplies instead of things man values like the latest cars, fancy houses, or name brand clothes.
Happiness and the meaning of life are related. How could one determine they are living with a purpose if thay are not happy? When you work hard to aquire material things does that insure happiness? NO. What would happen if you lost everything you obtained; is your life meaningless. OF COURSES NOT. Good health, a sound mind and a roof over your head is enough to lead to a happy life.
Someone that disagrees with me would say that peolpe who reside in a shack are not happy, or they would suggest happiness is not equated to a meaningful life. My answer includes questioning the reasons a person would choose to live in a shack. Are they avoiding abuse? maybe certain situations are chosen to dismiss others. WHO ARE WE TO JUDGE?? If happiness is not related to a meaningful life, than what is? I have determined that money is not everything but good healthy relationships are.
There is so much to consider in the meaning of life but the most important part is to not discredit happiness. What makes you happy and WHY?

Blog # 4 Definitions and Concepts

2008-06-03T19:36:00.000-07:00

Concept 1
According to Frank Bruno, a psychologist, the feeling that the meaning of life is meaningless is a symptom of mental illness because the question only comes up when people are unhappy.

Problems from Philosophy acknowledges different issues may be at stake depending on why the question is asked.

Concept 2
GOD has a plan for us.
This idea help people see the big picture. The idea determines that people do not need to compare ourselves to the universe because GOD gives us value.

Definitions :

GOD-everything from an impersonal life-force to a benevolent, personal, almighty Creator.
(allaboutgod.com)

Life- the quality that distinguishes a vital and functional being from a dead
body.(webster)

Impersonal perspective- ones beliefs/ ideas. ( Nate Olson, St. Olaf College)

Skepticism- an attitude of doubt. (webster)

Death-The term ‘death’ is ambiguous. The ending of life is one
thing,and condition of having life over is another. ‘Death’ can refer to
either. (Stanford Encyclopedia)

Happiness-being at peace with oneself and the world. It happens when
your mind (intent), body (action)and spirit(conscience) vibrate in unison.
(The Happy Guy Blog)

video with post Blog #3

2008-05-27T16:34:00.000-07:00

Image retrieved from you-tube May 27, 2008

BLOG #3

2008-05-27T15:41:00.000-07:00

This video points out the difference between FACTS and VALUES. Facts and values are very relevant to the meaning of life because it determines the outlook for a person. Facts deal with right versus wrong, while value simply handles what works for you as an individual.

The video acknowledges that some people decide there is no sense to go on. Someone with those values may end their life. It is important to validate the human race, plants, and animals because without validation we may destroy everthing around us. We believe the human race is the most intelligent; if we are not able to determine a purpose for ourselves, what would be the purpose for anything else?

Biblical ideas and science can determine world views. If one believes in a HIGHER POWER they are controlled by what is RIGHT or WRONG based on GOD! Some people believe science is responsible for the human race, therfore, giving us an answer to the main reason for life. I cannot help but wonder what happens when science cannot deliver an answer. We do not have the answers for everything but what we believe to be true or false plays a big part in how we live our lives. We have a choice in whether to help or terminate our world based on individuals ideas about the MEANING OF LIFE.

Questions ... Post.!!

2008-05-20T19:42:00.000-07:00

Image retrieved from google images May 23, 2008.

Researching the meaning of life has lead me to a series of questions. (not to mention, several websites!)

As RaCHELS STATES ON PAGE 12:

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Additional links you might want to check out:

The Meaning of Life

Click here to access FCCJ main wesite

Meaning of Life

2008-05-20T19:06:00.000-07:00

What is the meaning of life? This question can be asked in several ways but answered differently several times more. The big question intriques me because I want to know what leads most people to ask this question. Are there constant circumstances that lead people to question the purpose of life? What solutions are offered to the big question? The journey to solve life's life question can be filled with a variety of information, opinions and ideas. For example, William blank believes we must first acknowlegde our presents on the Earth. Planet Earth is where we were sent to live. Is there a reason for that? If there is a reason then do we have individual tasks? According to William Blank, a writer, we do. Blank believes mankind was sent to Earth to work and experience life among other things.

Some peolpe believe finding clarity for life helps people live with more focus. There is no need to waste time on obstacles that do not matter. Matter to who? GOD. GOD is apart of answering the big question for some and not for others. I believe strongly in a HIGHER POWER. I would like to understand people that believe that they have found the answer to the meaning of life without acknowledging GOD. Some people believe we create our own destiny using our minds. Maybe, a ming is a terrible thing to waste has a deeper meaning than using our minds to complete school. I agree with Socrates,"I am wise because I understand I do not know everything."

Realizing that I do not know EVERYTHING opens the door for me to learn new ideas and philosophy. I may not agree with every thought or every solutions to LIFE'S BIG QUESTION but I want to know what philosophies others have because people impact other people.

The Problem of Personal Idenity

2008-05-16T11:31:00.000-07:00

I want to learn diffeent ways to look at Personal Identity. At first glance, I thought Personal Identity was our personal thought about ourselves. With careful consideration, I believe Personal Identity is much bigger than a thought because there are so many aspects.Personal identity includes who we are, what people develope into and our phsical make up.
First, people are who our parents raise us to be. We do not have our own ideas or thoughts. Then people experience life for themselves to discover which ideas and beliefs about life to keep from our parents. As generations expand views on death, sex, and religion change. People evolve and die very differnt creature after developing our own identities.
Then there is the physical aspect our our identity. I never considered my physical make up as a part of my identity. Physical things cannot be excluded from personal identity because it is often the first way we describe ourselves. Most descriptions include our complexion, build and characteristics.
Personal identity is a broad topic. The answers to personal identity depends on the audience and thier beliefs. human ideas about personal identity must not be limited instead our thoughts about personal identity can be varied.

2 Topics interesting to me

2008-05-16T08:24:00.000-07:00

Chapter# 13 "The Meaning of Life" is interesting to me because it is a question most people ask themselves at some point in their lives. I am in my early thirties, so I pursue answers to this question daily. At the beginning of life, children are controlled by thier parents. I reacted as most children, therefore, I obeied my parents out of love and respect. Since my mother kept very close tabs on me, I was a wild child in my early twenties. That is, I just let LIFE happen during my twenties. For instance, I started school but lacked motivation to complete college because I was too busy parting. If thing did not go the way I wanted, I rebelled and made every situation worse. Inconsistency and rebellion lead to a life of suffering consequences but I would much rather reap rewards. Today, my life is very different. For example, I do not allow LIFE to just happen to me. Due to my beautiful daughter, I have decided to grab LIFE by the reigns. As a result of taking contoll of my life, I am interested in hearing what others have discovered while examining the meaning of life. James an Stuart Rachels, authors of Problems of Philisophy, believe our point of veiws on happiness and death plays a big role on how individuals answer life's big question. I am confident investigating these points of views will have a huge impact on my future decisions.

2008-05-08T08:59:00.000-07:00

Feelings

2008-05-08T08:20:00.000-07:00

What is Philosophy? Today, i think philosophy is the way people live their lives. According to Karla Pierce, my philosophy professor at FCCJ, philosophy has two meaning. Pierce asserts the word philosophy is Greek and means the love of wisdom but has developed into the love of searching life's big questions. I am not familiar with philosophy but I understand alot of educators and speakers have them. I hope to broaden my knowledge about philosophy!