Your life repeated forever

Discuss morality and ethics in this message board.
Featured Article: Philosophical Analysis of Abortion, The Right to Life, and Murder
User avatar
Burning ghost
Posts: 3065
Joined: February 27th, 2016, 3:10 am

Your life repeated forever

Post by Burning ghost »

I would like to hear about the advantages and disadvantages of taking on this attitude ...

We should live our lives as if we will have to live them over and over again for "eternity".

How would this view of life help you live a good life and how may it lead to you living a bad life - please, no dancing around the concepts of "good" and "bad" you all get the gist of what is meant here. Also, note this is not a case of believing this will be so only a means of comporting yourself in life and living it to the full.

For me I really do like this thought. For example it works in one way because it makes me want to make my life interesting and full of diverse experiences that I would be more than willing to live over and over again. It also seems to counteract the pull of hedonism, because generally any hedonistic act suffering consequences, so the wisdom must be applied in life rather than seeking out mere ephemeral pleasures that will likely lead to deep distresses later on in life. So here there is both a reason to expand my field of interest and yet do so with moderation; which then speaks to me that life is essentially about exploration and expansion, both physically and mentally.
AKA badgerjelly
Judaka
Posts: 251
Joined: May 2nd, 2017, 10:10 am

Re: Your life repeated forever

Post by Judaka »

So in your view, if someone wakes up happy and goes to sleep happy, their concern should be "If I had to do this for all eternity, would I still be happy?" If not then isn't your philosophy redundant and if so then isn't that just you prioritising paying homage to values over practicality? Seems to me your way of thinking is solely about self-satisfaction derived from eschewing types of pleasures that you find unsightly and creating a world view that promotes the practice of values you appreciate.

The proof of this comes from the general theme of "hedonism bad, wisdom good" which I find a little ironic because I actually think a life of hedonism would be better suited for this. Why would I want to experience new things and spend my time contemplating things - knowing full well these new experiences won't be new every other time I live through them, why spend time seeking knowledge and wisdom - just to have to relive the process of thinking through the same stuff over and over again. Hedonism on the other hand, often feels good no matter how many times you do it. There was no reason for me to dissect that but I figured you'd want a direct appraisal of your idea since you've expressed dissatisfaction at people sidestepping your moral questions.
User avatar
LuckyR
Moderator
Posts: 7914
Joined: January 18th, 2015, 1:16 am

Re: Your life repeated forever

Post by LuckyR »

I guess the benefit of the "do over" attitude is that you would take more chances. Which is great if you are overly boring but for someone who is kind of adventurous, it could push you over into reckless and perhaps cut your time quite short.
"As usual... it depends."
User avatar
Burning ghost
Posts: 3065
Joined: February 27th, 2016, 3:10 am

Re: Your life repeated forever

Post by Burning ghost »

I expressed an example Judaka. If you wish to oppose me at every opportunity so be it. Either way I think it would be more genuine of you if you responded to the OP as it is presented. Putting words into my mouth will not likely get you a direct response. My philosophy? What are you talking about? I have posed a question and offered an example of how I have looked at it from one position. I am not possessed by this idea as one to which I shall rigidly define my life, but I am asking you (and others) what is useful to take away from such a thought experiment.

I was looking at this more along the lines of "If you had only one book to read for the rest of your life which book would you choose?" kind of idea. Get it? So in this respect if you had ot live out your life again and again, what is it do you think you'd find yourself wanting to fill your life with to make it worthy of repetition?

What do you thin kare the benefits and limits of this idea?

In regards to "hedonism" I thinks it is generally a naïve approach. It assumes we know what will be the most pleasureable thing for us to do, whereas what I would suggest (through exploration and strife) would certainly lead to a "better" life. I don't really equate "pleasure" with "a good life", or I'd simply become a heroin addict and find myself dead within a few weeks no doubt. Hedonism is framed as the greatest "net pleasure" and this net pleasure may be great in a short lived life, but by consequence it may cause untold damage and distress to those living around you ... so I don't see how hedonism, as a long term plan, makes the slightest bit of sense if you care about other people, or ironically, yourself.

I have an impression of you now. I've upset you someone with something I said and offended your sensibilities. If you ever calm down please feel free to address the OP rather than create a strawman to burn (and now I hate you for using the overly used term! haha!)

In the vain hope you are not what you present, I was referring to "wisdom" as the greatest good for all rather than the greatest good for the individual. I should have made that more explicit. I occasionally miss things out though when I assume they are obvious.

note: this is not a psychological test. I have asked for your opinion on the negatives and positives of the posed idea rather than your views about my quick example of how to respond to the OP.

Here, have some negatives too ...

The bad points of this view may lead to being to free-wheeling and taking too many risks. To live your life ina kind of free-fall and never really attaching any meaning to life in regards to establishing a stable life. On one hand it may suit some people more than others depending on their personality. As an over all view of life it may make you look at life as inherently meaningless and spiral you into depression by taking the perspective as life as a continual and essentially repeating pattern.

To sum up, I am looking to see what uses you see in this idea that can be put to either positive or negative use. For me it seems the message of the idea is generally looking at a means to balance life as if it were an objective item of investigation. Don't get stuck in a rut and don't run where angels fear to tread. Like any view is possesses contradictory arguments.
AKA badgerjelly
User avatar
Burning ghost
Posts: 3065
Joined: February 27th, 2016, 3:10 am

Re: Your life repeated forever

Post by Burning ghost »

LuckyR wrote: December 28th, 2017, 4:04 am I guess the benefit of the "do over" attitude is that you would take more chances. Which is great if you are overly boring but for someone who is kind of adventurous, it could push you over into reckless and perhaps cut your time quite short.
Certainly a good negative example! It really boils down to where the person sees the middle ground to be. In this circumstance I could only hope that such an adventurous person would explore enough ground quickly enough to establish that what is best for them to do is slow down. At the extreme ends of the spectrum such people will likely die quickly from hysteria or catatonia (as is naturally the case.)

Do you think this idea is more or less beneficial to the more or the less adventurous person? Of course that is a bit of a loaded question and primarily what this idea makes me think about - "Where is the 'middle ground' ?", and how we establish such subjective opinions and adjust them.
AKA badgerjelly
Judaka
Posts: 251
Joined: May 2nd, 2017, 10:10 am

Re: Your life repeated forever

Post by Judaka »

I expressed an example Judaka. If you wish to oppose me at every opportunity so be it
I have an impression of you now. I've upset you someone with something I said and offended your sensibilities. If you ever calm down please feel free to address the OP rather than create a strawman to burn (and now I hate you for using the overly used term! haha!)
If I recall my only other comment to you was constructive criticism, said only for your benefit, where do I oppose you at every turn?
Either way I think it would be more genuine of you if you responded to the OP as it is presented. Putting words into my mouth will not likely get you a direct response. My philosophy? What are you talking about?
I use the term "your philosophy" as in "the philosophy you came up with" which is living your life as though it were to be repeated forever. You stated your preference for the idea as it would devalue hedonism and promote an adventurous attitude and the pursuit of wisdom. My retort is aimed against those preferences. If all that matters is that the individual is happy then this kind of thinking is redundant, if that doesn't matter then it must be because something is prioritized above happiness which makes the idea "good only for promoting certain values".

I also already dealt with the actual thought experiment by saying it would lead people towards hedonism because having a nice massage or dancing to music 100000 times is substantially better than reading the same book 100000 times. Whereas reading a book once versus having a nice massage, a real argument can be made here for the book. Heroine addiction is hedonistic but it's also an addiction and mental health issue, I don't think heroine should be treated like the "ultimate hedonist's experience" because it is very niche and not for everyone.
In the vain hope you are not what you present, I was referring to "wisdom" as the greatest good for all rather than the greatest good for the individual. I should have made that more explicit. I occasionally miss things out though when I assume they are obvious.

In the vain hope... You're funny. So you feel it's obvious that "wisdom" means "wisdom for all"? How can "wisdom be applied in life" without individuals applying wisdom to their own lives? I don't even agree that "wisdom for all" as an idea is coherent, since I think wisdom is subjective.
note: this is not a psychological test. I have asked for your opinion on the negatives and positives of the posed idea rather than your views about my quick example of how to respond to the OP.
You posted your thoughts on a forum and I replied to them, I don't think I derailed your thread and we're talking about exactly what you wanted to talk about so I don't understand the issue here.
User avatar
Present awareness
Posts: 1389
Joined: February 3rd, 2014, 7:02 pm

Re: Your life repeated forever

Post by Present awareness »

The main flaw with the idea of reincarnation, is that most people don’t remember having lived a previous life. Doesn’t mean we didn’t, but without memory of it, we may as well say that this current life is new.

The idea that the consciousness that is contained within a human body is unique and individual, may also be false. Consciousness may be like water, identical in its composition. The only difference between a molecule of water and an ocean of water is quantity.
Even though you can see me, I might not be here.
User avatar
Burning ghost
Posts: 3065
Joined: February 27th, 2016, 3:10 am

Re: Your life repeated forever

Post by Burning ghost »

Present awareness wrote: December 28th, 2017, 9:31 am The main flaw with the idea of reincarnation, is that most people don’t remember having lived a previous life. Doesn’t mean we didn’t, but without memory of it, we may as well say that this current life is new.

The idea that the consciousness that is contained within a human body is unique and individual, may also be false. Consciousness may be like water, identical in its composition. The only difference between a molecule of water and an ocean of water is quantity.
This has nothing to do with reincarnation.
AKA badgerjelly
User avatar
Burning ghost
Posts: 3065
Joined: February 27th, 2016, 3:10 am

Re: Your life repeated forever

Post by Burning ghost »

Judaka -

You obviously misunderstood me and I'll assume my misunderstanding of you was equivalent for now. It happens.
AKA badgerjelly
User avatar
Present awareness
Posts: 1389
Joined: February 3rd, 2014, 7:02 pm

Re: Your life repeated forever

Post by Present awareness »

To repeat your life, is to reincarnate if you live, die and then relive a new life. Only difference here that I precieve is that you are coming back as yourself, instead of someone different.
Even though you can see me, I might not be here.
Judaka
Posts: 251
Joined: May 2nd, 2017, 10:10 am

Re: Your life repeated forever

Post by Judaka »

Burning ghost wrote: December 28th, 2017, 10:16 am Judaka -

You obviously misunderstood me and I'll assume my misunderstanding of you was equivalent for now. It happens.
What did I misunderstand?
User avatar
Burning ghost
Posts: 3065
Joined: February 27th, 2016, 3:10 am

Re: Your life repeated forever

Post by Burning ghost »

It's basically Nietzsche's Eternal Recurrence.
AKA badgerjelly
User avatar
SimpleGuy
Posts: 338
Joined: September 11th, 2017, 12:28 pm

Re: Your life repeated forever

Post by SimpleGuy »

If this is just a deja vu, or as like in dinner for one : "The same procedure as every year." This would be quite boring. New themes like learning and improvement of intellectual skills should occur.
User avatar
LuckyR
Moderator
Posts: 7914
Joined: January 18th, 2015, 1:16 am

Re: Your life repeated forever

Post by LuckyR »

Burning ghost wrote: December 28th, 2017, 4:35 am
LuckyR wrote: December 28th, 2017, 4:04 am I guess the benefit of the "do over" attitude is that you would take more chances. Which is great if you are overly boring but for someone who is kind of adventurous, it could push you over into reckless and perhaps cut your time quite short.
Certainly a good negative example! It really boils down to where the person sees the middle ground to be. In this circumstance I could only hope that such an adventurous person would explore enough ground quickly enough to establish that what is best for them to do is slow down. At the extreme ends of the spectrum such people will likely die quickly from hysteria or catatonia (as is naturally the case.)

Do you think this idea is more or less beneficial to the more or the less adventurous person? Of course that is a bit of a loaded question and primarily what this idea makes me think about - "Where is the 'middle ground' ?", and how we establish such subjective opinions and adjust them.
Well, most folks think they are "normal" which statistically means "average". Thus if someone drinks more than you they are an out of control partier and if they drink less than you they are no fun.

OTOH if some people are told they will get a "do over" they will experiment, others will try to hone their game, ie to optimize their outcome at the same task.

There is no universal rule.
"As usual... it depends."
User avatar
Burning ghost
Posts: 3065
Joined: February 27th, 2016, 3:10 am

Re: Your life repeated forever

Post by Burning ghost »

LuckyR -

There is no "do over". You simply have to live again and again the same experiences so you cannot "optimize", and neither are you meant to take this thought literally.
AKA badgerjelly
Post Reply

Return to “Ethics and Morality”

2023/2024 Philosophy Books of the Month

Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise

Entanglement - Quantum and Otherwise
by John K Danenbarger
January 2023

Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul

Mark Victor Hansen, Relentless: Wisdom Behind the Incomparable Chicken Soup for the Soul
by Mitzi Perdue
February 2023

Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness

Rediscovering the Wisdom of Human Nature: How Civilization Destroys Happiness
by Chet Shupe
March 2023

The Unfakeable Code®

The Unfakeable Code®
by Tony Jeton Selimi
April 2023

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are

The Book: On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are
by Alan Watts
May 2023

Killing Abel

Killing Abel
by Michael Tieman
June 2023

Reconfigurement: Reconfiguring Your Life at Any Stage and Planning Ahead

Reconfigurement: Reconfiguring Your Life at Any Stage and Planning Ahead
by E. Alan Fleischauer
July 2023

First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough

First Survivor: The Impossible Childhood Cancer Breakthrough
by Mark Unger
August 2023

Predictably Irrational

Predictably Irrational
by Dan Ariely
September 2023

Artwords

Artwords
by Beatriz M. Robles
November 2023

Fireproof Happiness: Extinguishing Anxiety & Igniting Hope

Fireproof Happiness: Extinguishing Anxiety & Igniting Hope
by Dr. Randy Ross
December 2023

Beyond the Golden Door: Seeing the American Dream Through an Immigrant's Eyes

Beyond the Golden Door: Seeing the American Dream Through an Immigrant's Eyes
by Ali Master
February 2024

2022 Philosophy Books of the Month

Emotional Intelligence At Work

Emotional Intelligence At Work
by Richard M Contino & Penelope J Holt
January 2022

Free Will, Do You Have It?

Free Will, Do You Have It?
by Albertus Kral
February 2022

My Enemy in Vietnam

My Enemy in Vietnam
by Billy Springer
March 2022

2X2 on the Ark

2X2 on the Ark
by Mary J Giuffra, PhD
April 2022

The Maestro Monologue

The Maestro Monologue
by Rob White
May 2022

What Makes America Great

What Makes America Great
by Bob Dowell
June 2022

The Truth Is Beyond Belief!

The Truth Is Beyond Belief!
by Jerry Durr
July 2022

Living in Color

Living in Color
by Mike Murphy
August 2022 (tentative)

The Not So Great American Novel

The Not So Great American Novel
by James E Doucette
September 2022

Mary Jane Whiteley Coggeshall, Hicksite Quaker, Iowa/National Suffragette And Her Speeches

Mary Jane Whiteley Coggeshall, Hicksite Quaker, Iowa/National Suffragette And Her Speeches
by John N. (Jake) Ferris
October 2022

In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All

In It Together: The Beautiful Struggle Uniting Us All
by Eckhart Aurelius Hughes
November 2022

The Smartest Person in the Room: The Root Cause and New Solution for Cybersecurity

The Smartest Person in the Room
by Christian Espinosa
December 2022

2021 Philosophy Books of the Month

The Biblical Clock: The Untold Secrets Linking the Universe and Humanity with God's Plan

The Biblical Clock
by Daniel Friedmann
March 2021

Wilderness Cry: A Scientific and Philosophical Approach to Understanding God and the Universe

Wilderness Cry
by Dr. Hilary L Hunt M.D.
April 2021

Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute: Tools To Spark Your Dream And Ignite Your Follow-Through

Fear Not, Dream Big, & Execute
by Jeff Meyer
May 2021

Surviving the Business of Healthcare: Knowledge is Power

Surviving the Business of Healthcare
by Barbara Galutia Regis M.S. PA-C
June 2021

Winning the War on Cancer: The Epic Journey Towards a Natural Cure

Winning the War on Cancer
by Sylvie Beljanski
July 2021

Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream

Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream
by Dr Frank L Douglas
August 2021

If Life Stinks, Get Your Head Outta Your Buts

If Life Stinks, Get Your Head Outta Your Buts
by Mark L. Wdowiak
September 2021

The Preppers Medical Handbook

The Preppers Medical Handbook
by Dr. William W Forgey M.D.
October 2021

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress: A Practical Guide

Natural Relief for Anxiety and Stress
by Dr. Gustavo Kinrys, MD
November 2021

Dream For Peace: An Ambassador Memoir

Dream For Peace
by Dr. Ghoulem Berrah
December 2021