The meaning of life

Yes, what is the meaning of life? In fact, what does the term meaning of life mean? I bet most of you think you will find enough metaphysical drivel on this page to fill a humanities subject textbook. And in the end the question for which you came won't be answered. Or answered in such vague terms that the answer is meaningless. I've got a surprise for you.

Some of you may know about Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy. In it there was a super computer called Deep Thought. Deep Thought was asked what the meaning of life was. After a long time, I can't remember how many thousands of years, he came up with a number, something like 42. The people who had asked the question were very indignant, after all, waiting for thousands of years to be told that the meaning of life is 42.

Deep Thought protested that one can't ask a question like "what is the meaning of life" and expect an intelligent answer. Deep Thought said the question was too vague, if I remeber correctly.

Of course, Deep Thought was right. After all, what do you think "the meaning of life" means?

Let's get to what some people may think the meaning of life means

How about: what is the purpose of life? That is much better, but obviously one can have any number of purposes in life, some one may not even know about.

Let's go for the jack pot. How about asking a question, the answer of which will lead to the answer of all these really deep questions? Here is that question:

What is my prime purpose in life?

Here is the answer, without any further ado:

To find answers to all the really deep questions about life and then to act on those answers.

After ruminating about this for a while one's thoughts turn to what the "really deep questions about life" may be.

Where did everything come from? (I didn't say it was going to be easy)

Anorganic material
Life

Is there a God?
Is there life after death?
How should I live my life?
What sources should I study for some answers?

Obviously, that little list will keep you busy for some years. You may feel overwhelmed. Where should you start? I suggest you start by investigating evolution and the origin of life. After all, either it is true or it is not true. If it turns out to be not true you will be left with only one conclusion. If evolution is a scientific fact and explains the origin and diversity of life we all might as well eat, drink and be merry while we can. There is a vast quantity of material for and against evolution on the web. Be warned though, some of them are calculated lies, some obvious and some not so obvious.

One easy one: study Proverbs and Ecclesiastes in the Bible about how one should live one's life.

OK, I feel generous. Here's another easy one: the basis of all life is the genetic code. Like all proper code, the genetic code conforms to all rules about syntax and symantics. There are things like redundancy, and as a consequence of redundancy we have things like error detecting and error correcting code. All these are found in the genetic code. Now here is the punchline: there is no lucid and logical explanation of how any code can arise spontaneously. Code always has an intelligent creator or creators responsible for it. To talk about spontaneous origin of life and not explain this one is like running a race but not getting out of the starting blocks.

Happy hunting. And remember, this is most likely the most important undertaking you have attempted in your life. Do not give up.

Well, what do you think? If you want to you can e-mail me.