"Why keep living?"

(Note: this entry was originally written on 9/11/08)


Yesterday in Philosophy class the professor was talking about how religion and philosophy differ and he was really groping for the right buttons to push before someone spoke out against him. Though I haven't had good intellectual debate in a while, I gave it a go.

The professor had said all religion is bad because it relies on a foundation that may not and probably does not exist. I asked him, "If you don't find religion compelling enough to believe in, where do you find purpose in your life? Why keep living?"

"I find purpose in gaining knowledge, power, and sharing knowledge with others," he replied.

"If you're lucky you'll live 100 years. Then why will any of that matter when you are dead and have long become worm food?"

"It helps my kids and their kids and so on."

"So, you're just gone with your last hope before you die that your descendants will be better off with your instruction?"

"Yeah, and therefore improve the world."

We had several other exchanges on the problem of evil, energy, and the soul, and other topics. A guy later got confused in the lecture and remarked,"I'm lost."
The professor said, "Talk to him (meaning me.) He'll tell you about Jesus."

At the end of class I stayed behind to tell the professor that I deeply respected him and really looked forward to the remainder of the session. He gave me a look like he wasn't looking forward to the having the outspoken young squirt in standing front of him in his class.