i.e. Why are we here?

Deep, I know.

Well, for such a deep and existential question, I am going to write a very brief article and give it nothing like the long waffly twisting and turning discussion such a question probably warrants.

Because I have an answer, maybe not the answer, but an answer.

According to Richard Dawkins in a book I’m currently reading, ‘The Selfish Gene‘, our purpose in life is twofold: to survive and to reproduce – or both of these to do one thing – to shelter, pass on and therefore ensure the immortality of our genes.

i.e. we are nothing more than survival machines for our genes.

Of these 2 things, I am hopefully pretty much done with the 2nd one, reproducing. I don’t intend to do any more of that anyway. I have 2 offspring and though I do say so myself I reckon we’ve done a pretty good job (I can’t take all the credit – I did need some help) – one of each (male and female varieties) and they’re both really awesome.

In terms of surviving, I reckon just looking at it like that it’s quite depressing that there is no more purpose to life but I’m also thinking Dawkins might be right. Personally I am far more inclined to natural and scientific explanations than religious and spiritual ones, though on the latter topic fairly agnostic.

There is also not only my survival to consider but that of my offspring who carry on my purpose in life – the next generation of survival machine for my genes. When they have offspring (assuming they do) then those offspring too will need nurturing and protecting against the threats and dangers of the world they are born into.

In the modern world, despite humans generally doing all they can to kill each other and the planet, we still have it pretty good all in all. So survival in most parts of the world is a fairly easy task. To help that, rather than working against ourselves, we can do stuff to help our survival – not jump in front of speeding trains or hurl ourselves off cliffs, make sensible decisions, manage risks in our lives (find safe places to live, health insurance, support networks, etc) eat healthily and so on – but in general the survival is for lots of humans, not as perilous as say for a wild animal in the jungle who might get hunted by a predator at any moment or for an insect who may be trodden on by a nasty human.

So what about enjoying life? Well, it seems like this can be at best linked only indirectly to our purpose (for example if that enjoyment contributed to better health e.g. via leisure pursuits) and could easily be detrimental if that enjoyment were posing a risk to our survival (e.g. drug abuse, putting ourselves in danger for thrills etc) – but I say that life is short so it’s worth appreciating just how fragile and precious our lives actually are so take care and look after yourself but also enjoy every moment you can.

Many things constantly remind me that life is short and so a constant reminder to make the most of every moment.

Final Thought

So the answer to the question ‘Why Are We Here?’ could well be nothing more than: to help our genes survive and thrive – we are temporary hosts for our genes – survival machines.

But: I say let’s make the most of it (& enjoy it) whilst we’re here anyway. Let’s make the most of our amazing capacity to live, learn (and we are truly amazing at that) and love life.

The answer to the question ‘Why Are Genes Here?’ is another question altogether. Their purpose is obviously to survive, but why? beats me, but I’m not around for very long so I don’t really care.