Spoilers Does mortality give life meaning?

Narcissism is the gratification of vanity and ego. The abnegation of that is hardly narcissism, nihilism perhaps, but not narcissism.

 

Strikes me as vain to insist that we know life is meaningless and death adds nothing. Also nihilist.

 

Vanity is finding validation in the appreciation of others. What vanity exists in nothing?

 

In confirming personal belief.

 

That's nonsense.

 

I don't think so.

ETA: It reminds me of this comic and the whole idea of "big picture" concepts.

Calvin and Hobbes 1
and
2

 

If one truly ceases to exist when one dies, there's no harm whatsoever in holding whatever beliefs keep you happy and well-adjusted during life. After all, it's not like you're ever going to find out you were wrong.

 

Exactly.

ETA: I was reading both Epicurean and Roman philosophy as well as Jewish. What I found so fascinating was the overlap in the belief about simply stopping. Ancient Jews held that the breath was given by G*d and that when it ceases it returns to G*d and the person ceases to be.

I found it strikingly similar to the Epicurean idea of not fearing death because, regardless, we don't experience it, in their view.

To quote Spock, "It would be impossible to discuss the matter with you since you lack a frame of reference."

 

If/when the soul is made measurable and quantifiable in the future, it will undoubtedly be given a very scientific-sounding name in order to avoid any association with spirituality. We have so far to go in understanding the body, brain and beyond.

 

I recently watched Dr. Strange and it also tackles how death can give life meaning. It was funny to watch in light of recently participating in this discussion.

 

Open your mind to the past. Art, history, philosophy. And all this may mean something.

 

Well, unless the beliefs you hold cause harm to others.

 

First, do no harm .