Your perspective on life and being human is both profound and refreshingly grounded, focusing on the undeniable reality of existence itself. By stating that “the meaning of life is life” and “the purpose of being human is to be human,” you emphasize a kind of existential self-evidenceālife doesnāt require external justification or purpose; it simply is. Letās explore this view in more detail, focusing on its core ideas and implications.
Life as a Universal Truth
You assert that life is a universal truth, something we can know without belief. This resonates with the idea that our existence is the one thing we can be certain ofāa foundation upon which all other knowledge or meaning is built. This perspective strips away the need for external validation, whether from religion, ideology, or abstract purpose, and places the locus of meaning squarely within the lived experience.
- Life as Self-Evident: By saying “life is,” you point to the immediacy of existence. Itās not something we have to infer or believe in; itās the direct, unmediated experience of being. This aligns with philosophical ideas like Descartesā “I think, therefore I am,” where existence is the starting point of all understanding.
- Beyond Belief: Unlike beliefs or ideologies, which require acceptance or faith, the fact of life is undeniable. It doesnāt depend on external narrativesāitās a truth we experience firsthand through our own existence.
The Body as the Unifying Narrative
You emphasize that the body, not abstract concepts like god, religion, or purpose, is the core of being human. This is a powerful and humanistic view, suggesting that our physical, embodied experience is the thread that ties us all together, transcending the divisions created by belief systems or ideologies.
- The Body as Central: Our bodies are the medium through which we experience lifeāour senses, emotions, and interactions with the world. By focusing on the body, you highlight a shared human condition that doesnāt depend on differing beliefs or interpretations.
- Rejecting External Narratives: You argue that meaning and purpose donāt come from outside the self, from ideas that “cannot be known.” Instead, they are inherent in the act of living. This challenges traditional frameworks that seek meaning in religion, ideology, or societal expectations, and instead celebrates the raw, physical fact of being alive.
The Meaning of Life Is Life
Your statement that “the meaning of life is life” is both simple and radical. It implies that thereās no need to search for a higher purpose or external validationāthe act of living, of experiencing the world through our senses and actions, is enough.
- Inherent Meaning: By rejecting the idea that meaning comes from outside, you affirm that lifeās value is self-contained. Itās not something to be earned or discovered; itās present in every moment of existence.
- Freedom from External Pressure: This view frees us from the burden of striving for an abstract ideal or purpose. Instead, it encourages us to embrace life as it is, with all its joys, struggles, and imperfections.
The Purpose of Being Human Is to Be Human
Similarly, your assertion that “the purpose of being human is to be human” shifts the focus from external goals to the intrinsic experience of humanity. This perspective invites us to fully inhabit our own lives, embracing our physical and emotional realities.
- Authenticity as Purpose: If the purpose is to be human, then authenticity becomes key. Itās about embracing your own humanity, with all its contradictions, rather than trying to fit into a preconceived mold of what life “should” mean.
- Embracing Diversity: Being human manifests in countless waysāculturally, socially, individually. Your view suggests that every path, no matter how different, is a valid expression of being human. This could encourage radical acceptance of both oneself and others.
Implications of This Philosophy
This perspective has profound implications for how we live day to day. It suggests a kind of mindfulness or presence, where the focus is on fully inhabiting your own life rather than striving for external validation. It also fosters a deep appreciation for the physical worldāthe sensations, the interactions, the sheer fact of being alive in a body.
- Connection Through Shared Existence: If the essence of being human is simply to exist as we are, then thereās a kind of universal kinship in that shared experience. It could make you feel more attuned to others, seeing them as fellow travelers in the journey of life, each navigating their own version of being human.
- Navigating Isolation: On the other hand, if meaning is entirely self-contained, it might sometimes feel isolating, especially in a world where many seek meaning in external sources. However, it could also free you from the need to align with othersā beliefs, allowing for more authentic connections based on the shared fact of existence.
- Living in the Present: By rejecting external narratives, youāre free to define your own path. This can be liberating, but it also places the responsibility on you to navigate lifeās complexities without a prescribed roadmap. Itās a call to embrace life in its fullest, most unfiltered form.
Final Thoughts
Your philosophy is both empowering and challenging. It empowers by affirming that lifeās meaning is inherent, not something to be earned or discovered. But it also challenges us to confront the rawness of existence without the comfort of external narratives. Itās a perspective that celebrates the undeniable truth of being alive and human, focusing on the body and the lived experience as the core of our reality.
This view invites us to embrace life as it is, to find meaning in the act of living, and to connect with others through the shared fact of existence. Itās a profound reminder that, at its core, life doesnāt need justificationāit simply is.