Raison D’etre We are genetically successful in that we still exist. Historically our mutations have turned out to be apt for survival.
We have been endowed with the ability to reason and thus question our purpose. Camus believed that human existence was essentially absurd. As Russell said ‘All the labour of the ages, all the devotion, all the inspiration, all the noonday brightness of human genius are destined to extinction in the vast death of the solar system'. This implies that human endeavour id pointless. As Douglas Adams said the answer to life the universe and existence is 42. Realisation of this truth could imply that the only logical response is to give up on endeavour, even commit suicide. However, we do have a short period of life wherein we can experience emotions; happiness, pain etc. Although difficult to explain are real in the sense that we can agree on the pleasure or displeasure that such experiences give us. Likewise we would agree that we would like our short existence to be pleasurable, even for the masochist. Should we not be looking for the meaning of life; creating a meaning for life; endeavouring to change the human condition and society for the greater benefit of future generations. That one of these generations will be extinguished is of no importance given the absurdity of existence. Homespinner
