I've searched for reasons to live and can't find satisfactory answers. A lot of them are just reasons not to die in disguise. I'll list some below and my own thoughts, and am interested in your opinions. Of course, I'm not against people who live because of these reasons, it's just that they don't make life worth living for me.
1. Material possessions
What differentiates humans from other animals is our self-awareness, that we care about spirituality beyond simply being able to eat, sleep or live. There are only such much one can own, and they get less stimulating over time. To live for wealth or whatever is no different than being 'a pig, in a cage, on antibiotics'. Not to mention how easy it is to lose possessions, or that many are poverty-stricken.
2. Religions
I seriously don't get being against suicide because it is a sin to do so. If I never asked to be born into this world in the first place, why do I need permission from a higher being, if it even exists, to stop living anymore? Believing in the notion that everything has a meaning simply because a god presumably created everything doesn't make sense to me. I guess people just want something to have faith in to give them meaning and going to heaven eventually is a reason to live for them.
3. "Life will get better"
No one can predict the future and anyone's lives objectively. Even if suffering was caused by the inability to sustain daily needs, and that life objectively became better, who is to say with certainty that one can start to enjoy life? I personally have a great life objectively but can't find anything that keeps me content. This is nothing more than blind optimism, which happens to be true for some.
4. Relationships
This somewhat makes sense for me. The unique bonding between humans can improve lives by a lot, and I genuinely enjoy company with my friends. However, I'm not sold on the idea to live because of others. This extends to refraining from CTB simply because there are people who would be distraught. People invariably have to spend time alone, and have to find reasons to live within themselves. Also, being overly dependent on someone and overbearing create an imbalance and scare people away. A relationship which the other party is not as enthusiastic in maintaining eventually fades away, and it can be painful if one depends on it.
5. All the little moments
This is also somewhat true. I agree that life is not a process to achieve some granular goals, but rather a collection of all the little moments. It's true that being grateful for small things is a way for some to be happy. Things don't need to carry an inherent meaning to be enjoyable. Good music, food, quality time and affection from others can be great. Still, I would still prefer not to experience anything. Occasional happiness doesn't make life worth it for me.
6. Experiencing life to its fullest
There is a lot to explore and a full life consists of a diverse range of experiences, including all the ups and downs. Happiness pales into insignificance and doesn't feel rewarding if there is no sadness. Again, although this is true, the underlying persistent unhappiness overpowers occasional happiness for me.
1. Material possessions
What differentiates humans from other animals is our self-awareness, that we care about spirituality beyond simply being able to eat, sleep or live. There are only such much one can own, and they get less stimulating over time. To live for wealth or whatever is no different than being 'a pig, in a cage, on antibiotics'. Not to mention how easy it is to lose possessions, or that many are poverty-stricken.
2. Religions
I seriously don't get being against suicide because it is a sin to do so. If I never asked to be born into this world in the first place, why do I need permission from a higher being, if it even exists, to stop living anymore? Believing in the notion that everything has a meaning simply because a god presumably created everything doesn't make sense to me. I guess people just want something to have faith in to give them meaning and going to heaven eventually is a reason to live for them.
3. "Life will get better"
No one can predict the future and anyone's lives objectively. Even if suffering was caused by the inability to sustain daily needs, and that life objectively became better, who is to say with certainty that one can start to enjoy life? I personally have a great life objectively but can't find anything that keeps me content. This is nothing more than blind optimism, which happens to be true for some.
4. Relationships
This somewhat makes sense for me. The unique bonding between humans can improve lives by a lot, and I genuinely enjoy company with my friends. However, I'm not sold on the idea to live because of others. This extends to refraining from CTB simply because there are people who would be distraught. People invariably have to spend time alone, and have to find reasons to live within themselves. Also, being overly dependent on someone and overbearing create an imbalance and scare people away. A relationship which the other party is not as enthusiastic in maintaining eventually fades away, and it can be painful if one depends on it.
5. All the little moments
This is also somewhat true. I agree that life is not a process to achieve some granular goals, but rather a collection of all the little moments. It's true that being grateful for small things is a way for some to be happy. Things don't need to carry an inherent meaning to be enjoyable. Good music, food, quality time and affection from others can be great. Still, I would still prefer not to experience anything. Occasional happiness doesn't make life worth it for me.
6. Experiencing life to its fullest
There is a lot to explore and a full life consists of a diverse range of experiences, including all the ups and downs. Happiness pales into insignificance and doesn't feel rewarding if there is no sadness. Again, although this is true, the underlying persistent unhappiness overpowers occasional happiness for me.
