Stop, Drop and Roll

They say that when you catch on fire, you're supposed to stop, drop and roll. Basically, I have no idea why I'm mentioning this, except for the fact that I couldn't think of a title for this post and this was the first thing that came to mind. Anyway, moving on...

A friend of mine, contemporary German critic and philosopher Janina "Hagan-Daz" recently made a point that I think is interesting. She said if we don't or can't know what the meaning of life is, then it has no meaning. For life to have meaning we have to know what it is.

Imagine we all go about our lives, this happens, that happens, we all eventually die, the sun burns out, there is no trace that humans ever existed. Also, for the purpose of this thought experiment, let's assume death is the end of personal existence - there is no afterlife, cycle of rebirth, etc. Let's also just assume that human existence created no ripple effect in any other part of the universe causing any noticeable effects whatsoever anywhere else. In a case like this, is it possible that were was a meaning? This raises some points:

-It seems like for there to be meaning, our lives must make some contribution or have some kind of impact on something that outlives ourselves and even persists forever.
-If we have to know the meaning for there to be one, is this because we then need to know how to act?

Imagine someone named Fred. Let's say Fred believes that the meaning of life is to collect Nike sneakers, and he spends as much time as he can doing so. Then one day he dies and that's the end of Fred. A lot of people would probably think that collecting Nike shoes is not the meaning of life and therefore Fred wasted his time. Some people, however, might say that's what Fred enjoyed, so it's perfectly legitimate to spend one's time doing what he or she enjoys. Indeed, some people that's the meaning of life: doing what you enjoy.

Imagine someone named Susan. Let's say Susan believes the meaning of life is caring for people, and she devotes her life to all sorts of pursuits that help people in need. Now, probably a good many people more would think this is closer to what the meaning of life is or might be, and feel like Susan didn't waste her life.

Now, in both of these cases, the individual dies, and let's assume death is the end. Also, eventually, Fred's Nike sneakers will turn to dust. But also, everyone person that Susan helped will also turn to dust, and someday there may be no trace of the fact that the suffering of a person was lessened. If this is the case, does it really matter if someone collected shoes and someone helped people? Of course, many people - myself included - want to think that Susan was right, that helping other people is important and somehow relates to what all of this is about. Unfortunately, though, it seems we cannot know this for sure.

This returns to Nietzsche's point, mentioned yesterday, about philosophy really being about conduct. Perhaps we think helping those in need is "meaningful" because it's a measure of self-protection. If we are someday in need - and even the most secure and wealthy, somewhere in the back of their minds, know it could be them someday - we want to promote kind behavior in case we someday need it ourselves.

Here are some questions that I am now pondering but am too tired to write about...

-What does it even mean to say "does life have meaning?"
-Is it possible for the universe to have a meaning but not our lives? Does there have to be some grand connection between the meaning of our lives and the meaning of the universe? Let's keep in mind the universe is mind-numbingly large.
-Does our behavior relate to the meaning of life? Does someone who has a million friends and helps a million people have a more meaningful life than someone who lives as a recluse in the woods?
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