The following is an opinion editorial written by Yuechen Zhao.
© Copyright 2011 Yuechen Zhao. All Rights Reserved.

Why do we live—only to die?

I’m not the first to ask this question, and I’m sure that I won’t be the last. But that does not make the question any less important.

You might be wondering why the title explicitly states that this is an irreligious view. It’s simple: religion offers insights into the purpose. A Christian will say that the purpose is to serve God and spread his word. A die-hard atheist will say that life is meaningless and random, and that it resulted from chance chemical reactions on earth a long time ago .

Only someone with no religion, no belief whatsoever, is truly bothered by such a question. If one knows nothing, how can one know the answer to this baffling question?

First, let me explore some answers previously given, and why they have always been unsatisfactory.

Common Answers

There is no purpose to life. We live to die and, thus, help our species evolve.

This “answer” simply brings up another question: “Why do we evolve?” What’s the point of the existence of our species, if there is no purpose to life? Why should we evolve?

Our life’s purpose is to make the lives of those who come after us better.

Again, this answer begs to be asked another question. “What’s life’s purpose for those who come after us?” To make the lives of those who come after them even better? This reasoning is obviously flawed as there is no end to the cycle. There is no ultimate purpose. Nothing is ultimately achieved, and thus, the answer is unsatisfactory.

Our life’s purpose is to make the world a better place to live.

Those who follow this ideology donate money and time to help fight world hunger, cure dangerous diseases, promote peace, and help other similar efforts. Perhaps these people found a purpose for their own lives. What about those people who benefited from their aid? What’s their purpose? Why are we saving lives and making the world a better place (besides the inherent value of such actions)? This answer is unsatisfactory because, once again, it’s not an ultimate purpose, but simply a purpose that leads to an unknown purpose.

Our purpose is to live life to the fullest.

Surely this is a worthy goal for everyone. After all, we are given this life, so we should value it and do the most that we can with it. However, this is a “goal” at most. If the ultimate purpose is to live life to the fullest, then why do we live at all? What’s the point?

So… what is it?

I believe that the most anyone can say is that no one really knows what the purpose to life is—no one can know. The only time that we can find out is when we pass away into another world—heaven, hell, a state of nothingness, nonbeing… If you seek the purpose of life outside the context of religion, then you are chasing at the wind. Life is an experience, not a means to an end. Does that mean that life is ultimately meaningless? Perhaps. However, that doesn’t mean that we should not live and do everything that we feel is good and right.

Why are we given a body? No one knows. But the fact is that we are. As such, we should do everything we can to protect it. To nourish it. To cherish the beauty and magic of our perfect system of cells, organs, and limbs. To be in awe of our brains, to which even the most complicated and sophisticated computer system cannot compare (and perhaps never will).

Why are we given feelings? Another baffling question. But yet, we simply are. We are given the ability to love. Then love all you can. We are susceptible to tears. Then do not hold them back when they burst forth.

We are given eyes. Then observe everything around you and be glad. We are given ears. Listen carefully. We can touch and feel. Then do not take any senstation for granted. We can smell. Cherish each odor.

We are put into this world with 6 billion other humans, plus countless other creatures. Recognize the importance of every human being, every living creature, every immobile rock. Do your part to better your environment and help your fellow lifeforms.

So, I guess Common Answer #4 gets closest. Do not worry about your ultimate purpose if you do not know it. If you are destined to know your purpose, then it will come to you.

Do not be afraid of death. If you lived your life fully, then there’s nothing truly terrifying about leaving it behind. But while you are here, live.