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Message: <blockquote data-quote="the Jester" data-source="post: 1553056" data-attributes="member: 1210">I think there are several interrelated questions here: what is the meaning of life, and what is the meaning of sentience?I do not know what the meaning of life is, but I can deduce some things.  In essence, it seems that the biological purpose of a life form is to pass on its genes (reproduce).  But as to the meaning of it- well.  That's a good one.  And life is such a broad thing- I mean, even single-celled amoebae are life.I think that the meaning of life is to demonstrate that from the primordeal clay and fire of our universe, amazingly complex things arise.  Self-organizing chaos, demonstrated by the elder slime that grew up into man.Sentience is a whole nother bread basket.  I think the purpose of sentience is to realize one's connection to the rest of the universe as a whole.  Add the two together (purpose of life + purpose of sentience) and you have what I guess is my equivalent of 'god or nature's plan' (which is neither a plan, nor instituted externally, but rather the natural progression and growth of the universe as a single divine self-aware entity).  The purpose of it all it the transcendent moment when one realizes his or her connection to everything.All this does tread dangerously close to religion, though.  I'd like to thank everyone that has contributed so far for keeping it cool.</blockquote>