So what exactly is the point of it all then?

We're really not, we're just more intelligent.

Our base emotions and instincts are the same. Watch an ape nurse it's baby and look at the love in it's eyes. Watch an animal ready for slaughter terrified and calling for it's loved ones. Watch crows teach younger generations the skills to make tools and have a functioning society just like humans.

Every animal has feelings and social bonds just like we do. Many are also extremely intelligent. The only difference is that we developed language and used to to write things like religion because we're smart enough to wonder where we came from. Then science showed us where we came from. We evolved just like every other living thing on the planet. And one day we will be gone.

There is no outwardly prescribed purpose of life for that reason in my opinion. But that's what make sit so special, the chance of you existing is so infinitely tiny and yet here you are, with the opportunity to give your life any meaning you want it to have because you are free do so in the absence of a creator that gave you a purpose. Some peoples purpose is art, some peoples purpose is hedonism, some peoples purpose is to leave the world better than they found it. You are free to choose and it's a miracle you even exist to choose. Look up at the stars and see how tiny you are and find freedom in the meaninglessness. Isn't it wonderful?

My son thinks we are all really in one mega Truman Shown and there is an evil puppet master

The fact that no-one has ever come up with an actual 'point to it all'.
Because there isn't one.

Does there need to be a point for you to feel satisfied with life?
Perhaps that's the real question.

I'm quite happy with there being no point.

I'm not depressed, or suicidal, but I'm 78, a widower, and looking at a few years of declining health, and ever-increasing expense to keep living... for what. If I had the choice, I'd sooner give my money to the children/grandchildren, than spend it on care-home fees.

Maybe I should contact Dignitas.

Mine is to look and feel fabulous. Join me when you get better!

We exist to perpetuate the cycle of life. Not through reproduction, but through our bodies being made up of countless former beings, which will then turn into countless future beings when we die.

There is no point at all. And for the most part, nothing that you do is of any consequence. In a hundred years, you and (almost) everyone else currently on the planet will be dead, regardless. Once you realise this, it is much easier not to care about anything at all.

imo there is no point, no higher reason. The only purpose to our lives is the purpose we choose

just having a midweek musing while ill at home on the sofa.

Can't you just watch Elf like a normal ill person?

GWS

Why?

Well, I believe in evolution and that we're all just here by chance. Humans are no different to any other species in that respect. We're born, we live, we die. Just may as well enjoy it while we can.

Zero point. Billions of years ago the right combination of factors came together and viola, life began. Humans are just a so called advanced species of primate that hit the genetic jackpot in various ways.

In my case, (45 yo) bluntly and without philosophy, because some two idiots decided to procreate.
(Emotionally abusive parents).
😐

We are just animals in an ecosystem. Why are tigers here, or flies? I don’t think our lives are supposed to have any purpose other than the continued existence of life on Earth.

No point. No purpose. Just crack on and try and live an enjoyable life.

If at all possible do it in such a way that others can enjoy theirs too. Even better if you can actually help other people enjoy their lives!

We're just here by chance. I don't think humans (or humanity) is anything special, really.

To evolve sufficiently that we can eventually understand the universe?

I think we are here by fluke, chaos, fate.

Life is about giving it your own meaning, to look for anything else is to hold on to a handful of sand.

To love; to find our own purpose, however big or small, in order to try to make life a little better for those around us; and as a means by which the universe can begin to understand itself (IMVHO).

I don't think there's a greater 'purpose' - I think life is bloody amazing in its own right. We should get out of our heads a bit more and experience nature/life and our own bodies and senses a bit more. There doesn't have to be a reason. We just are.
This doesn't mean I don't care about other people, in fact I care even more about kindness and empathy because connection makes the experience of life better, I accept some people have good lives alone (hermits etc) but I don't think anybody has a good experience of life by being unkind and cruel.

I'm in recovery from addiction and coping with suicide loss

A lot of it is choices and action and not so much what life is about

I chose to continue with life after suicide loss

I had the other option but figured I'd be a long time dead may as well continue

I chose to be in recovery and make positive use of the time i have left

Why? It's freeing 😊
If you're into religion you could make up a reason based on that.

There isn't. We're here anyway, though, so may as well make the best of it.