What is the purpose of life?

What I am about to write is controversial, but I think it is important to talk about it, as some discussions floating around are totally contradictory and inconsistent. Most believe that the purpose of life is to do good to others so that we can all finally land up in the heaven. But even if we assume it to be true, the next thing to investigate is what we mean by "doing good to others"? Some might define it as being truthful, fair and helpful to all. While others will emphasize on "not causing harm to anyone". Strangely, for many, the broad classification of "anyone" extends to only "humans". Though some religions even try extending it to all living creatures. However, we have no choice but to consume them (killing them) to satisfy our hunger, as we cannot survive on "non-living" things. Also, our body's safety mechanism (white blood cells) is constantly at works killing harmful viruses and bacterias - a must for ensuring our survival.

So it appears that our definition of "doing good to others" is restricted to only humans. But why? What makes humans so important? Why must God focus only on us and leave all other life forms unattended? Ideally, God must not intervene to pick winners and leave us all to struggle individually. If this wasn't true, by now God would have forced all humans in the hell after us having systematically plundered this planet and all its life forms. So much so that a majority of the species have gone extinct due to our reckless interventions.

Hence, it might seem that the real purpose of our life it is to perpetuate our ability to survive. This is not unique to humans alone, but all other species (including animals and insects) are programmed like that. The instinct to survive starts first with the individual and then extends to the whole community. Our finite lifespan of a certain number of years is directly linked to that objective. Why? As it allows us sufficient time to raise our young with total selflessness without having to worry about competing with them for food and other opportunities perpetually. The length of life spans of other species is set at an optimal length to facilitate its ability to reproduce. For example, the fly is more vulnerable compared to an elephant and therefore has a much shorter lifespan. It has to reproduce fast in large numbers to ensure survivability of its offsprings. Hence, at the end of the day, it is all about the survivability of species which are vigorously competing with all others for space and resources. Though some are also in a symbiotic relationship - helping each other to survive.

So if the urge to survive is so fundamental and supreme then why should we worry? Should we not survive anyways? As in the case of a threat, we can fall back on "Nature", which will surely figure something to bail us out, isn't it? But unfortunately, as explained above, nature (God) does not show any preference. For it all species are equal. However, our ability to survive depends upon the sustenance of the ecosystem around us, which we are systematically destroying to meet our narrow goals. Hence, it is clear that our short-term goals are in direct conflict with our future generation's ability to survive in the long-term.

But why should we worry about the survival of our future generations whom we don't know and not even met? Isn't it foolish for us to do so? Animal species do not care about protecting the ecosystem around it. It thrives on it as long as it can unless it is restricted by nature (disease or predator). For example, an uncontrolled predator on an island can cause havoc on other species' ability to survive. Most species on that island will vanish unless they are able to buy sufficient time to reproduce and develop a natural defense mechanism against them (darwin's theory). This has been the story of evolution till date. But with humans, things have changed drastically. Through his intellect, he is trying to conquer nature, and in the process threatening the survivability of future generations.

Do the future generations have any hope, or it is going to be darkness all around? Fortunately, for humans, life is not just about survival alone. It is also about happiness and mitigating perpetual pain caused by reckless consumption. My earlier note on this subject titled "The Art of Living", dwells into this aspect in a little more detail. Luckily, unlike animals, humans have the intelligence to recognize this fact and therefore are open to sacrifice and add value. It is this strong urge of us to seek "Perpetual Happiness" and NOT "The Fear of God" that will save mankind from the path of total destruction. The sooner we control our animal instinct, the better it will be for us (including our future generations).