The Universe Seems No More Meaningful to me if We Survive Death

I've been thinking recently about a criticism I read often leveled at materialists..namely that if they believe that consciousness does not survive death, then somehow that implies that their lives are meaningless. And it got me thinking about how I don't see how meaning is somehow injected into my experience if it turns out that consciousness survives death. 

Why is there meaning simply because the experience continues after physical death? And if that afterlife ever does end, what's the difference between it ending at physical death or ending 5 billion years later? And if it's infinite, then it would seem to be the very definition of meaningless. How do experience meaning when you have an infinite set of experiences? Meaning in relation to what?

So I'm hoping that some of the members here who believe that real meaning only exists if consciousness survives death can explain to me how that implies real meaning, and frankly how that's any different from the meaning that exists in this life here on earth. 

Cheers!

I've been thinking recently about a criticism I read often leveled at materialists..namely that if they believe that consciousness does not survive death, then somehow that implies that their lives are meaningless. And it got me thinking about how I don't see how meaning is somehow injected into my experience if it turns out that consciousness survives death. 

Why is there meaning simply because the experience continues after physical death? And if that afterlife ever does end, what's the difference between it ending at physical death or ending 5 billion years later? And if it's infinite, then it would seem to be the very definition of meaningless. How do experience meaning when you have an infinite set of experiences? Meaning in relation to what?

So I'm hoping that some of the members here who believe that real meaning only exists if consciousness survives death can explain to me how that implies real meaning, and frankly how that's any different from the meaning that exists in this life here on earth. 

Cheers!

Allow me to be the fool to rush in. 
Like every metaphysical position I've encountered,  the continuation of consciousness is based on one or more assumptions. The one perhaps relevant, to your question, being the gift of new eyes. Or the life review, as its commonly referred to in NDE literature.
In otherwords some insight is gained to compensate, for the tribulations of this life.

Allow me to be the fool to rush in. 

Indeed, I feel somewhat wary too. I'm half expecting a blast of cynical scorn should I venture an opinion.

All I can say is that meaning is present whether we are here or in the afterlife. Contrary to many materialists, I believe the life I am leading right now to be meaningful both in the context of my own experience and in the larger context of our collective experience. Yes, I also imagine that meaning is a continuum; that those personal and collective experiences add to a comprehensive sum of all the parts: the One, if you like. Nevertheless, it seems likely, if not inevitable, that some sort of indestructible identity is allowed freedom to evolve based upon its experiences over many lifetimes, like an actor taking many roles and learning from each.

How does one even define a word like meaning?

How does one even define a word like meaning?

Funny you should ask ... https://psiencequest.net/forums/thread-n...2#pid25552

[Laird]

How does one even define a word like meaning?

A few years back I wrote an essay addressing exactly that question, titled "What is the meaning of the "meaning" of life?". I only shared it privately though because I ended up feeling it was too analytical and limited in scope/imagination. Having reread it, I think it needs a bit of work, but maybe I'll tidy it up and then share a link to it here in answer to your very... meaningful... question.

[Laird]

Having reread it, I think it needs a bit of work, but maybe I'll tidy it up and then share a link to it here in answer to your very... meaningful... question.

I've now done that. Here it is: https://creativeandcritical.net/essays/life-meaning

Am interested in what, if anything, you guys think I've missed, and in any ways you think this essay can be improved or broadened. Potentially, though, I will once again take it down on the basis that it's not meaningful enough to be left up for public viewing.

Edit: Yes, decided to take it down. It doesn't contribute much of value and that which it does contribute could have been said in a paragraph or two, as Kam gently pointed out a few posts on.

I've now done that. Here it is: https://creativeandcritical.net/essays/life-meaning

Am interested in what, if anything, you guys think I've missed, and in any ways you think this essay can be improved or broadened. Potentially, though, I will once again take it down on the basis that it's not meaningful enough to be left up for public viewing.

Thanks for sharing.  I enjoyed reading the essay.

 We might also ask: is meaning in this basic sense objective or subjective? My view is that this meaning is in and of itself objective, in the same sense in which any existent entity's fundamental existence is objective, but that it can only be apprehended by a (conscious) mind, which is a type of subjectivity, and that in its apprehension and/or communication it might also have been intended for a particular mind - again, a type of subjectivity.

I have been grinding away at a firm definition for "meaning" for nearly 20 years.  I may be further behind now, than ahead.

On the way to diving to the bottom of its ontological nature - I found that its primary action for agents - understanding - as a key concept.

So what we got is -- What is the meaning of meaning?  How do we understand, understanding?  For me personally, science will help with the untangling, much more than metaphysics.  The problem with answering the questions is somewhat confused by their tautological nature.

Leaving aside the highly unsatisfactory nature of "life", (in too many ways to list here) there is no guarantee any of us even have one more hour, or one more day, let alone some kind of satisfactory period of time (whatever that is ?).  If death brings an end to consciousness, then trying to invest meaning into what amounts cosmically to a literal 'blink of an eye', is just a waste of time and energy.  

Annihilation edges closer every day. Of course, one can behave 'like an ostrich' (many people do) but anyone who truly believes that is what awaits them, really ought to grab what they can now and 'to hell' with the needs of others.  No one can logically blame you...and even if they did...you won't care when you're sitting up in an urn on your partner's mantel piece as a pile of ashes.

You won't be reflecting back on a life you enjoyed, on what noble deeds you did or didn't perform for your fellow man or what things of beauty you were able to appreciate or create ! The memory of you may live on for a while, if you're lucky...but only until the people that knew you are also annihilated...and then it will be just as though you never existed.

And this is supposed to be satisfactory ? Some accidental process/force of nature (whatever nature is) has come together to play a gigantic hoax on us; make us self aware conscious beings (aware of our inevitable demise), who because of our inherent nature, desire a meaning and a purpose to our lives, yet ultimately we will only find extinction? The absurdity of this position seems to be lost on some members of this forum.

And then of course come the sniggers, the cynical sneers. Proponents are simply deluding themselves and all the massive amount of evidence to the contrary, is worthless. They are simply failing in their duty to face up to facts without a "crutch".  

Absurdly, stoicism is recommended instead (FF's sake !). As your aeroplane slowly falls out of the sky to crash, forget all about that and enjoy the meal that is sitting on the tray in front of you.  What a load of bollocks, Malf. Bollocks ! and that's telling you.