Stuff about biggorlk

biggorlk’s awards

Comments

Questions

• 1 month ago

  How do Garrison Keillor and Ira Glass get along?

  Great Question (0)

Answers

• July 4th, 2007

  What's the objective 1) meaning &/or 2) value of human life, if any?

  I agree with cardshere that Eastern systems of thought are helpful in undermining the basis of your question. Because, as you suspect in your entry, Krnt2007, it is unlikely that we will find any good answer, so the basic assumptions of your question are problematic. One example comes from Buddhism. When the Buddha sat down to find a perfectly enlightened understanding of existence, he realized, as you wisely pointed out, that suffering is an inherent part of life--and not just human life. When he realized that, he knew that he had a choice regarding what to do next. He could either work to understand why suffering is an inherent aspect of life (and by extension, what is the objective meaning/value of our life), or he could work to understand how to escape the suffering. He decided that the first choice would be fruitless, and that he had a better chance of realizing the second. He succeeded, but invited people to evaluate for themselves if his insights seemed right. He also taught that there is no requirement to deny worldly existence and become a monk in order to see the world clearly as it is, which was a nice touch for Westerners. If you are curious, I recommend www.accesstoinsight.com as a useful resource of Buddhist teachings.
  Great Answer (0)