Meaning of Life
 

When I get asked the question(s)

"Why do you live your life?" or "What's your goal in life?"

I've always answered to maximize utility (happiness).

Is that a good/fair answer? Is it an answer that can be universally applied.

And if so, is it fair to say the all decisions that have a negative utiltity should not be made?

Re: Meaning of Life
 

define "happiness" [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

and a link to my favorite book on the subject:

http://tinyurl.com/5pd2

~ Rick

Re: Meaning of Life
 

This link may help but somehow I doubt it. Try it and see. Good Luck. [img]/forums/images/icons/wink.gif[/img] The Meaning of Life

-Zeno

Re: Meaning of Life
 

Rick,

One of the blurbs for the book says that "you won't need a dictionary by your side to be able to read it."

Sorry, Rick, but I would need my hardcover American Heritage by my side--and somebody to bang me over the head with it--to get through one f****** page.

John

Re: Meaning of Life
 

John,

OK Mr. "Hoity Toity" (sp?) College Professor!

Here are links to two consecutive pages from the book:
http://tinyurl.com/5pjn
http://tinyurl.com/5pjs

What can't you like about what Dennis has to say?

Still your friend,

Rick

Re: Meaning of Life
 

Sorry, John. I read the blurb. I'm going to have to recommend Webster's 2nd here.

Re: Meaning of Life
 

"Why do you live your life?" Because the alternative is less functional.

Re: Meaning of Life
 

Well, that's the end of the film. Now, here's the meaning of life. [Receives an envelope.] Thank you, Brigitte. [Opens envelope, reads what's inside.] M-hmm. Well, it's nothing very special. Uh, try and be nice to people, avoid eating fat, read a good book every now and then, get some walking in, and try and live together in peace and harmony with people of all creeds and nations. And, finally, here are some completely gratuitous pictures of penises to annoy the censors and to hopefully spark some sort of controversy, which, it seems, is the only way, these days, to get the jaded, video-sated public off their [censored] arses and back in the sodding cinema! Family entertainment? Bollocks! What they want is filth: people doing things to each other with chainsaws during tupperware parties, babysitters being stabbed with knitting needles by gay presidential candidates, vigilante groups strangling chickens, armed bands of theatre critics exterminating mutant goats! Where's the fun in pictures?! Oh, well, there we are. Here's the theme music. Goodnight.

Re: Meaning of Life
 

I read the pages from the web links. In my opinion, the book is insipid drivel and psycho-babble rolled into a neat package of trite, be-happy propaganda. It makes me happy to recommend that the book be burned, and the ashes spread out over the backyard garden. Which you will then need to cultivate.

Le Misanthrope

Re: Meaning of Life
 

i like the answer 'victory' , but uncompetitive (noncompetitive?) people dont get it at all. heh