Posted by alexandra_k on November 20, 2005, at 18:30:31
In reply to Re: wanna know something? » alexandra_k, posted by Toph on November 20, 2005, at 17:29:10
> I love you alex...
Love ya too Toph :-)
> even if I can't understand you sometimes.
I need to get better at expressing myself :-(
>Are you saying something about how language limits our otherwise infinite thoughts?
No.
I'm talking about how finite processes can generate infinity.
A finite brain can give rise to an infinity of different thoughts (or an indefinite number if death is the end).The paralell point with respect to langauge is that:
A finite number of words
and a finite number of rules of grammer
(at any one point in time)
can generate an infinity of meaningfully different sentances.>How can I understand the meaning of life if I don't know what a kumquat is?
Maybe kumquats aren't the meaning of life ;-)
I dunno what a kumquat is either. I think it is a kind of fruit or vegetable or something...
The meaning of life...
One theory is...
There is no such thing as *the* meaning of life.
The idea that life has a single meaning or purpose is typically tied to the notion that there is an external agency who confers the meaning or purpose upon it (aka god).
Science tells us that the purpose of life... Is survival and reproduction. But then... Even if that is the 'purpose' of life, that doesn't seem to be the 'meaning' of life.
What is meaning?
People find a variety of things meaningful...
Maybe life just is about the process...
Of finding out what things one finds meaningful / worthwhile.
And if we do that well...
Then near the end we can reflect and say:
'I lived a meaningful life'.
A meaning-filled life.
A life filled with meaning.Meaning...
Is a property of minds.
Minds seek meaning
'I am an active information processer'
We seek meaning involountarily
We try to make sense of things...It doesn't have to led to existential despair...
poster:alexandra_k
thread:580293
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20051120/msgs/580681.html