Is the purpose of life to be happy?
When I’m unhappy, I feel like I’m doing life wrong. I’d rather be happy. But is happiness the point of life, or is there more to it? If I pursue happiness, mine first then for those around me, is that selfish? But if there’s a bigger purpose, then what about people with Alzheimer’s or dementia who can’t recall recent experiences or make plans?
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This is quite the existential question! Of course, there’s really no “right” or “wrong” answer, and there are so many different ideas on what the meaning of life is.
My opinion? There isn’t one. The fact we exist at all is a wildly random event, and the fact we are conscious of it even more so. Life is meaningless, so we create our own meaning. For me, the meaning of life is to strive for happiness (not BE happy, we can’t be happy 100% of the time), bring happiness to those around me, and leave the world better than I came into it. I don’t give a shit about legacy, since I won’t be around to enjoy it. The only legacy I care about is that I made life better for the people I love.
Treat others with kindness, be mindful of the world you live in, and do more of what makes you happy.
I don’t disagree, but I’d like to explore a little further. If you were the last person on earth, I’d everyone else died of old age and you are the last, would you still want to leave the earth better than you found it? Would you take comfort in or be indifferent to the happiness you brought to the people you love? Are your ideas about good and better based on the experiences of other people, or do they exist objectively?
I’d everyone else died of old age and you are the last, would you still want to leave the earth better than you found it?Yes. Humans are not the only thing existing on this planet, and I find it rather arrogant to treat it this way. If I’m alone staring down the heat death of our universe? Well it doesn’t quite matter anymore.
Would you take comfort in or be indifferent to the happiness you broughtAbsolutely. This is probably more nurture vs nature though. I’m very much an atheist but was raised in a strong Christian household. I’ve shunned the religious aspect, but “Love your neighbor as yourself” is pretty much ingrained in my DNA at this point. I find happiness in bringing it to others.
As for ideas of good and better, of course they are my own opinions and based on experiences of others. There is no objective “good” and “better”, because there is no objectively true meaning to life. For me personally, doing what makes me happy would include eating good food, drinking good whiskey and listening to punk rock. Those are not objectively good, but they are good to me. I will share them with likeminded people, and I will find other ways to better my neighbors’ lives.