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tximinoman t1_iu4i9zt wrote

Reducing humanity's purpose to reproduction and basic animal instincts is not only dumb, but also very close minded and a huge disservice to what we've accomplished over the years.

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Meshd OP t1_iu4ju19 wrote

I'm a nihlist so I agree, there is almost an infinite variety of ways humans create meaning for themselves, reproduction is just a very common one. I am just referring to our central unconscious biological drive, which is to survive long enough to procreate. I know thats reductionist and simplified but there we go.

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Samuel7899 t1_iu4pf6c wrote

I'd argue that humans have at least a handful of "central biological drives". Communication is probably just as important as reproduction. Biological reproduction doesn't differentiate us from most animals. So if your idea of "our" is "all animals", then you may be right. But if you mean "humans", you're probably wrong.

Not to say that we can necessarily survive significantly long if we all stopped reproducing... But that we wouldn't survive much longer (as humans) if we all stopped communicating. Probably less, given the state of things today.

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tximinoman t1_iu4qcoo wrote

I understood your point and I don't think it's reductionist and simplified, I mean... I do think that, but I mostly think it's just wrong.

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UnexampledSalt t1_iu4j7va wrote

So why else are we here?

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TheDebatingOne t1_iu4p5b9 wrote

We aren't here for anything, you need to figure out for yourself why you are here. I don't think there are a lot of people whose only purpose in life is to reproduce, if it was the case why don't they kill themselves when they become infertile? You can find joy in life from other things, like your friends, family, goals, achievements, etc.

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Fthewigg t1_iu4r4kv wrote

Cool, so why are you here? To find joy? Is that why your parents conceived and raised you and you voluntarily continue to live?

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TheDebatingOne t1_iu4rttr wrote

My parents decisions are out of my control, especially their decision to conceive me.

I'm here to have fun, to love others, to be loved, to positively influence others around me, and the like

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Fthewigg t1_iu4sego wrote

This is a very profound topic, so please forgive my argumentative response. Your first sentence kinda aligns with the topic of this thread. We never choose to be here. We only make the best of what we got (or not).

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TheDebatingOne t1_iu4sq0y wrote

Oh I agree, I just think that saying that reproduction is "what you're really here for" is kinda sad, you're more than a baby making machine

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Fthewigg t1_iu4tnur wrote

Sometimes we’re too smart for our own good.

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JCPRuckus t1_iu5ilk7 wrote

>Oh I agree, I just think that saying that reproduction is "what you're really here for" is kinda sad, you're more than a baby making machine

Yes, you are more than a baby making machine, but all of that other potential only exists because it made your ancestors better baby making machines. You can choose to fail at your purpose in pursuit of something else, but that doesn't change that your purpose was to be a baby making machine.

Acknowledging reality isn't sad, and that's the reality.

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Samuel7899 t1_iu4owc4 wrote

For life to persist as a single, large, complex organism.

That requires a lot more than just reproduction.

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BumBiter5000 t1_iu4r5w5 wrote

Suggesting humanity has a purpose is elitist and egotistical

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J_train13 t1_iu4t0cc wrote

Yeah, cause saying "you're useless and nothing about your existence matters" is so much better

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