Discussion Why do we matter?

[baller]

Say we don't have personal reasons to live like family or pets, why do we matter? I hear people go on about how 'our life is valuable' but why? I genuinely cant think of a reason

 

[EvisceratedJester]

The thing is, life isn't inherently valuable. It's value can only be define by you as an individual. We only matter about as much as we think we matter. People's opinions on life can be shaped by culture, religion, upbringing, and experiences. Along with that, the whole "our life is valuable" crowd is usually very hypocritical. To them, life is only valuable to those who fit their specific set if views and expectations. A lot of them stop caring when it comes to certain demographics, like the prison population, lgbtq+ people, racialized communities, the homeless, etc. This only helps to further how subjective this view and how it needs to stop being treated as a fact.

 

[damyon]

I hear people go on about how 'our life is valuable' but why? I genuinely cant think of a reason

The thing is, life isn't inherently valuable. It's value can only be define by you as an individual. [...] To them, life is only valuable to those who fit their specific set if views and expectations.

I would add to EvisceratedJester's message:
OP, people usually do not understand that they are projecting. They are telling that "life is valuable" from their perspective. While you do not get to experience their perspective, you can make out how "life is valuable" from their point of view and why it makes sense for them.

Take care.

 

[derpyderpins]

Say we don't have personal reasons to live like family or pets, why do we matter? I hear people go on about how 'our life is valuable' but why? I genuinely cant think of a reason

Focusing on value to the world around you rather than inner value:

"Life has inherent value" is at minimum an overstatement, and possibly just a complete misstatement. I'd accept an argument that human life, by default, has some nominal value because of its potential, but when I have sat in court and listened as it was explained that a person has raped and murdered multiple random strangers, I refuse to accept that said person's life has value.

The value you have to the world around you can spread beyond just your family and the people living in your home. As long as you aren't harming people, you are at that nominal value or 0 net value. Now say you go out about your day and you get something at the store, and you smile at the person checking you out and say "thank you", and they were having a shitty day but your manners made them forget about it for just a second, you just provided non-zero value to someone else. Beyond that, if you go home and post on here and someone who is struggling relates or you at least make them think about something in a way they hadn't, you've provided some non-zero value. Right now, typing this out has helped me clarify my thoughts on this subject, so you've provided non-zero value to me through this interaction.

It's not as glamorous as telling you your life is inherently special and important because you are a unique person and we just couldn't make it without you, but those are real examples that can't be argued with.

 

[sserafim]

We don't matter. No one does. Life is not inherently valuable. You are only valuable for your productivity and what you can produce and contribute. You are valued for your labor and as human capital. Society expects us to become slaves to the system; that's how our lives are valuable

 

[derpyderpins]

We don't matter. No one does. Life is not inherently valuable. You are only valuable for your productivity and what you can produce and contribute. You are valued for your labor and as human capital. Society expects us to become slaves to the system; that's how our lives are valuable

Friendly neighborhood negative Nancy here: you matter and provide value. Arguably you have negative value in relation to your parents because they have to support you but fuck 'em.

Here, you provide value to a bunch of people who are struggling. Even though you aren't really supportive or considerate of others, you spark conversation and get people thinking about things. I've been struggling a good bit recently, and have definitely benefited from the distractions. So, too bad, you matter because of the connections you've unwittingly stumbled into.