How do you find meaning as an atheist?

[jonb]

I find all sorts of thing of significance, but that is it 'I find' meanings are not imposed on me, I do not sublimate myself to a thing just because somebody else says is meaningful. I value what independence I have.

[Brian37]

I find all sorts of thing of significance, but that is it 'I find' meanings are not imposed on me, I do not sublimate myself to a thing just because somebody else says is meaningful. I value what independence I have.

Our species flaw is that we did not evolve to question the gaps we fill in because of our ability to have flawed perceptions.

The upside is that we do have the ability to question, but most of the time gap filling is our intellectually lazy way out.

[jonb]

Our species flaw is that we did not evolve to question the gaps we fill in because of our ability to have flawed perceptions.

The upside is that we do have the ability to question, but most of the time gap filling is our intellectually lazy way out.

I would disagree a little. I think a significant part of our evolution is that we evolved to be part of a troop of animals and therefore it was useful that different members of the pack think in different ways. One approach is not intrinsically better than another, and what worked well solving the last problem, might not work as well for the next.
Until we have all the answers we have to fill in parts. to make use of the knowledge as a group.
The problem with the goddidit mob is they do not want to recognise parts of what they thought they knew, were just bits that had to be filled in at the time to make a sensible proposition, and now that we know better we can reconnect our knowledge with a better tested proposition.

[Brian37]

Our species flaw is that we did not evolve to question the gaps we fill in because of our ability to have flawed perceptions.

The upside is that we do have the ability to question, but most of the time gap filling is our intellectually lazy way out.

I would disagree a little. I think a significant part of our evolution is that we evolved to be part of a troop of animals and therefore it was useful that different members of the pack think in different ways. One approach is not intrinsically better than another, and what worked well solving the last problem, might not work as well for the next.
Until we have all the answers we have to fill in parts. to make use of the knowledge as a group.
The problem with the goddidit mob is they do not want to recognise parts of what they thought they knew, were just bits that had to be filled in at the time to make a sensible proposition, and now that we know better we can reconnect our knowledge with a better tested proposition.

I am not sure we are saying different things.

Placebos do work in creating groups which make survival a better chance, but it does not make the placebo real.

"The God Delusion" by Richard Dawkins discribes this flaw as the "Moth mistaking the light bulb for moonlight".

He also describes the reaction to the questioning a social norm in the form of a placebo, like a subordinate bird offers help to the alpha male and the alpha male reacts violently to that help.

My point and I think his point would be, everything is evolutionary, both our rational and irrational behaviors, and neither are absolutes as to getting to the point of reproduction. It still amounts to variety and crap shoot based on evolutionary biology.

Cant make evolution an "either or". It is the same false analogy that science is either deterministic or chaos. It is both and both overlap and interact.

Just like we can say that a hurricane is a hurricane based on winds speed and shape of a storm. But the QM part of it would be the exact number of raindrops, and to a lesser degree, the path it might take.

Both rational and irrational behaviors exist in humans. But we do not OVER ALL collectively have a working understanding of the natural world and tend to prefer our base tribalism and superstitions over pragmatic use of logic.

[naimless]

I'm curious, how do other atheists find meaning in their life? I'm not talking about "purpose", that's something entirely different. What I'm talking about is the sense of a definite direction or duty to a person or thing. How do you find that in your life? What gives you that sense of meaning?

Nothing to be honest. Music sometimes numbs the pain away.

[AthianGuildmaster]

As I mentioned in a separate thread, I'm quite surprised to find that so many of you see no potential meaning in life at all. But anyway I said I would explain how I find meaning, so here goes.

The way I find meaning in life is to avoid the use of analytic thinking in that area and instead utilize more subjective and emotionally-informed ways of thinking. I don't see this as a lack of reason, because rationally I know that having a sure direction is something that I personally crave, and that depends on a well-developed sense of meaning in my own life. Without that meaning, I can't operate. A "lack" of reason would imply that the area is deficient in rational thinking when in reality I think there is just enough, any more and it would be too much.

Yes. Too much reason, there is such a thing.

[The Grand Nudger]

So, just to summarize, so long as you don't think about it too critically you find meaning? If that's what works for you then so be it eh? Would be hard to make the case to someone else that whatever meaning you found was actually there though, wouldn't it?

[Cato]

The way I find meaning in life is to avoid the use of analytic thinking in that area and instead utilize more subjective and emotionally-informed ways of thinking.

Like this?....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JDzlhW3XTM

[rexbeccarox]

I make my own meanings. If I work hard on a chapter of my book, it means I'm closer to finishing and being able to share it. If I listen to one of my favorite bands, it means I've been able to enjoy listening to one of my favorite bands. If I read an interesting article about, say, the decriminalizing of drugs in Portugal, it means I've learned something new. If I volunteer at a homeless shelter, it means I've helped people.

Simple, really.

[Zen Badger]

Bacon.... bacon gives my life meaning..... and boobies......and.....and beer.

Yes, that too...... and bikes. Bikes definitely give life meaning.

Ooh,ooh ooh, almost forgot..

This too.....

---

---