What is the meaning of life? (So far the hugest question)
Life is a sandbox. There is no goal. There is no Ultimate Prize. Should a God exist, your heaven will not be perfect. To never work a day in your post-life, to be in a world without struggle, that would be inhuman. Should you somehow gain bliss from this world, this is inhuman. Heaven would strip your identity. Should you be placed in Heaven to find that your life is the perfect amount of struggle, the perfect sandbox, the one where man works for his earnings and nothing is ever wrong, this would deny you a reason to work. In a world with no future, you're once again in a sandbox. It doesn't matter if this one is better than the last, you're still purely building. If a Heaven exists, it will rather strip you of identity, or be a mirror, cleansed of those deemed unworthy. A world where everyone has conformed to your philosophy. A world where you have scraped out those who disagree with you on the basis of diet, or even these ideals. You may argue that you have earned this, by being good, following a certain set of rules, refraining from violence, treason, certain diets, etc. THE ABSENCE OF EVIL IS NOT GOOD. You may do charitable deeds, feeding the helpless, working for the community. I can't get to far into that without taking a strong(er) Objectivist view, but a person must work for their right to live. You are not born with true value, you must work to earn that.
What defines good and bad/What is good and bad?
There are absolutes. To initiate physical harm against another is bad. To maliciously deceive is bad. To steal is bad. There is no proper argument to justify any of these. But the absence of bad is not good. Good is living to your maximum potential. Good is striving for a better world. Good is a sense of Humanism, driving you and society forward.
Why is there something rather than nothing? (Referring to the universe)
I am here. I am alive. You cannot convince me otherwise. I feel. I breathe. I bleed. I think. I work. I thrive.
Is our universe real?
Rather than a simulation? Even if it were a simulation, that wouldn't make this a farce. Call this a dress rehearsal if you wish, the show is still being played. This is real.
Do we have free will?
Yes, a hundred times yes, The matter depends on if you choose to use it. Society teaches you not to, to be an altruist (role), working for the good of family. The good of the self is top priority. If you can work, you should work. Earn your keep. Excel. Succeed. Grow. This helps all around you. There is no greed, so long as you work for your wealth. Your free will is what defines you, you must be willing to destroy every thing you thought you new. Every life is sacred, but not every mind. The person who would rather take a handout then work for his life is a person who would deny his own worth, values, and existence.
What comes after death?
A Heaven/Hell/Purgatory, or a whole bunch of nothing. Death is not a good thing under any circumstance. Do not idolize it or what follows it.
Yes, I have read a good bit of Ayn Rand recently. Why do you ask?
