Why is life programmed to survive?

[Arkilogue]

If there was no repeatable design, your mud and water would leak out everywhere.  You must be referring to "intelligent design" yes?

Intelligent design,yes, along with any teleological intention.  Evolution is 'pushed from behind' by the triumph of the most advantageously equipped as determined by the reproducing sweepstakes.  It isn't 'pulled along' by by the intent of any intelligent designer nor cosmos as a whole.

Surely electromagnetism and gravity exert shaping force on living structure? Would you call that a push or a pull?

Is the manifestation of round waves in a round bucket full of water "pushed" or "pulled" by the shape of the bucket?

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I don't think there is a reason why we are programed to survive. Programmed is probably the wrong word in the first place. I mean if life were not programed to survive then it wouldn't survive and therefore wouldn't be life anyway. Maybe there was some form of something similar to life that lacked the will to survive. Whatever that was, it's not around anymore nor would it last in this hostile world of ours. The will to survive is an inherent part of life.

I blame the pain receptors and the body need to maintain homeostasis. Without those, I think most people would be extras in Thriller.