Why do we want to pass on our genes?

Question:A common answer to "What is the purpose of life?" is "to procreate and pass on one's genes". But what drives us to want future generations to possess our genes? What benefit do we get from this?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: A common answer to "What is the purpose of life?" is "to procreate and pass on one's genes". But what drives us to want future generations to possess our genes? What benefit do we get from this?

It has been suggested that we ought to look at this the other way round. We do not possess genes: our genes possess us, and use us as a total life-support system.

Hence we reproduce because it is in the genes' interest, not ours. Males are disposable, and must hunt, fight and die for the benefit of the tribe or kin group while females, with their slower reproductive rate, are more valuable to the gene. As long as the gene survives, it does not matter what happens to the animal afterwards.

Be humble. Learn to think of yourself as nothing but a life-support and incubator system for scraps of biochemical.

Survival of the species.

God knows and I don't think even he would admit to knowing, which would actually mean God does not know, but what he does not know is not then worth knowing unless you are not God but aspiring to be and then it is best to be informed...

We don't it's our genes which are trying to replicate themselves.

The purpose of life is not just for pro-creation. The purpose of life is God realisation. Do not anticipate any benefit out of your work. If it could be for future generation? please think about the present. In reality there is no past and future. there always exists the present.

We get to share what's in us that makes us want to pass our genes.. Plus, who wouldn't love seeing something that moves, looks, talks, and acts like them? It would be cute.

Richard Dawkins wrote a couple of books on this. Try "The Selfish Gene". While not totally accepted by all evolutionists (?), it does make logical sense although I had to read some of the paragraphs through a few times to get my head round it and I'm stuffed if I can summarise/explain it in 1,000 characters.

Me, I've decided not to have kids. Sucks to be my genes! They thought they were using me as a vehicle to replicate themselves, but I get the last laugh thanks to free will.

The philosophical question "What is the meaning of life?" means different things to different people. The vagueness of the query is inherent in the word "meaning", which opens the question to many interpretations, such as: "What is the origin of life?", "What is the nature of life (and of the universe in which we live)?", "What is the significance of life?", "What is valuable in life?", and "What is the purpose of, or in, (one's) life?". These questions have resulted in a wide range of competing answers and arguments, from scientific theories, to philosophical, theological, and spiritual explanations.

These questions are separate from the scientific issue of the boundary between things with life and inanimate objects.
Popular beliefs
"What is the meaning of life?" is a question many people ask themselves at some point during their lives, most in the context "What is the purpose of life?" Here are some of the many potential answers to this perplexing question. The responses are shown to overlap in many ways but may be grouped into the following categories:

Survival and temporal success
...to live every day like it is your last and to do your best at everything that comes before you
...to be always satisfied
...to live, go to school, work, and die
...to participate in natural human evolution, or to contribute to the gene pool of the human race
...to advance technological evolution, or to actively develop the future of intelligent life
...to compete or co-operate with others
...to destroy others who harm you, or to practice nonviolence and nonresistance
...to gain and exercise power
...to leave a legacy, such as a work of art or a book
...to eat
...to prepare for death
...to spend life in the pursuit of happiness, maybe not to obtain it, but to pursue it relentlessly.
...to produce offspring through sexual reproduction (alike to participating in evolution)
...to protect and preserve one's kin, clan, or tribe (akin to participating in evolution)
...to seek freedom, either physically, mentally or financially
...to observe the ultimate fate of humanity to the furthest possible extent
...to seek happiness and flourish, experience pleasure or celebrate
...to survive, including the pursuit of immortality through scientific means
...to attempt to have many sexual conquests (as in Arthur Schopenhauer's will to procreate)
...to find and take over all free space in this "game" called life
...to seek and find beauty
...to kill or be killed
...No point. Since having a point is a condition of living human consciousness. Animals do not need a point to live or exist. It is more of an affliction of consciousness that there are such things as points, a negative side to evolutionary development for lack of better words.

Wisdom and knowledge
...to master and know everything
...to be without questions, or to keep asking questions
...to expand one's perception of the world
...to explore, to expand beyond our frontiers
...to learn from one's own and others' mistakes
...to seek truth, knowledge, understanding, or wisdom
...to understand and be mindful of creation or the cosmos
...to lead the world towards a desired situation
...to satisfy the natural curiosity felt by humans about life

Ethical
...to express compassion
...to follow the "Golden Rule"
...to give and receive love
...to work for justice and freedom
...to live in peace with yourself and each other, and in harmony with our natural environment
...to protect humanity, or more generally the environment
...to serve others, or do good deeds

Religious and spiritual
...to find perfect love and a complete expression of one's humanness in a relationship with God
...to achieve a supernatural connection within the natural context
...to achieve enlightenment and inner peace
...to become like God, or divine
...to glorify God
...to experience personal justice (i.e. to be rewarded for goodness)
...to experience existence from an infinite number of perspectives in order to expand the consciousness of all there is (i.e. to seek objectivity)
...to be a filter of creation between heaven and hell
...to produce useful structure in the universe over and above consumption (see net creativity)
...to reach Heaven in the afterlife
...to seek and acquire virtue, to live a virtuous life
...to turn fear into joy at a constant rate achieving on literal and metaphorical levels: immortality, enlightenment, and atonement
...to understand and follow the "Word of God"
...to discover who you are
...to resolve all problems that one faces, or to ignore them and attempt to fully continue life without them, or to detach oneself from all problems faced

Philosophical
...to give life meaning
...to participate in the chain of events which has led from the creation of the universe until its possible end (either freely chosen or determined, this is a subject widely debated amongst philosophers)
...to know the meaning of life
...to achieve self-actualisation
...all possible meanings have some validity
...life in itself has no meaning, for its purpose is an opportunity to create that meaning, therefore:
...to die
...to simply live until one dies (there is no universal or celestial purpose)
...nature taking its course (the wheel of time keeps on turning)
...whatever you see you see, as in "projection makes perception"
...there is no purpose or meaning whatsoever
...life may actually not exist, or may be illusory )
...to contemplate "the meaning of the end of life"

Other
...to contribute to collective meaning ("we" or "us") without having individual meaning ("I" or "me")
...to find a purpose, a "reason" for living that hopefully raises the quality of one's experience of life, or even life in general
...to participate in the inevitable increase in entropy of the universe
...to make conformists' lives miserable
...to make life as difficult as possible for others (i.e. to compete)

Who want, I don't.

I think that in all species of animals that they believe that genes are the strongest and/or unique and want to pass and spread their genes as much as possible.

its just great re-cycling sense!!

Mankind has an intrinsic desire to live, and continue to live, forever.

Mankind has an intrinsic desire to make a positive difference within our society.

Humans are also social creatures, living in family units and expanded family units.

All of these human needs are expressed in procreation. However, that is not to suggestion that the answer to life's purpose is procreation. It only means that procreation provides an individual with a sense of personal fulfillment.

To suggestion that the answer to the purpose of life is procreation, then why do so many people not want the "burden of raising children"? Would a person who cannot procreate have no purpose in life? No, every life has meaning and purpose. The ability to procreate does not change the answer to this question.

Sex drive is the motive force of the wheel of creation in this world and inspires the desire for offspring.
The greatness of parents should be depicted in their responsibilies to make the future of the child as bright and successful as possible.
It is a self-less action which should be performed with love.
The benefit should be without any motive.
Deriving only pleasure from the privilege of parenthood.

Because that's natural of all living beings, human or animals: The sense of immortality
innate in the essence of the animal. That's an instinct common to both: Men and animals.

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From the moment of creation, every man is endowed with the faculty of conceiving the existence of God through the use of his conscience and wisdom.
It is a clear fact that everything in the universe, down to the slightest detail, is the creation of God. Everything surrounding us is solid evidence of the existence of God. God created birds flying in the sky; fish in the depths of the ocean; camels in the desert or penguins at the south pole; the bacteria in our body, invisible to the naked eye, fruits, plants, clouds, planets, and glorious galaxies in the most complete state, and equipped them all with delicate systems and superior characteristics.
Similarly, all systems supporting life on earth are based on very delicate balances. Very slight, even millimetric variations or deviations in these balances would render life on earth impossible. A brief examination of these balances reveals the extraordinary calculation and design inherent in them. For instance, if the earth revolved at a slower speed around the sun, it would result in huge temperature differences between day and night. A faster speed, on the other hand, would mean the occurrence of hurricanes and floods, a serious challenge to existence on earth.
Likewise, there are many other delicate balances making the earth a life-supporting planet and it is unlikely that they could have come into existence by chance. Accordingly, it is impossible that a wise man would attribute such exquisite balances and calculations to blind chance. A car or a camera reminds man of the existence of a conscious designer. Similarly, one should conclude that the universe, with its glorious interrelated web of systems, is not a self-governing entity which came into existence all by itself. God frequently draws our attention to the evidence of creation:

It is He Who sends down water from the sky. From it you drink and from it come the shrubs among which you graze your herds. And by it He makes crops grow for you and olives and dates and grapes and fruit of every kind. There is certainly a Sign in that for people who reflect. He has made night and day subservient to you, and the sun and moon and stars, all subject to His command. There are certainly Signs in that for people who use their intellect. And also in the things of varying colours He has created for you on the earth, there is certainly a Sign for people who pay heed. (Surat an-Nahl: 10-13)

Is He, then, Who creates like him who does not create? So will you not pay heed? (Surat an-Nahl: 17)

Pondering over the issues mentioned in the above verses surely suffices to make one, albeit, totally deprived of religious knowledge, conceive of the existence of God and appreciate His power and might. Just considering one's body, a composition of interrelated complex systems, makes one conscious of the superior creation of God.
Consequently, one, who is even unaware of the book revealed by God, can reach God through observation and contemplation of his surroundings. For people of understanding, the world overflows with evidence:
In the creation of the heavens and the earth, and in the alternation of night and day, there are Signs for people with intelligence: those who remember God, standing, sitting and lying on their sides, and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth, saying: "Our Lord! You have not created this for nothing. Glory be to you! So safeguard us from the punishment of the Fire." (Surah Al 'Imran: 190-191)

At this point, the need for religion becomes more apparent. This is simply because one who perceives the existence of his Creator would surely like to feel closer to Him, know Him better and find ways to attain His love and mercy; and the only way to do this is to have a good understanding of the values of the Quran, the unchanged word of God and the divine book of Islam, the religion of truth.

(The Quran Provides Knowledge for the Most Fundamental Issues One Needs to Know )

In every age, God sent down messengers and books to man, thereby introducing Himself to man, instructing him about the attitudes, behaviour, moral values and life style He has designed us for. They informed man about the true meanings of the concepts of good and bad, right and wrong, making us aware of the life after death, the rewards for those who obey God and the punishment awaiting the rebellious ones.
In this way, God explained every issue man needs to know throughout his life by means of divine religions. All information pertaining to a fulfilling and rewarding life both in this world and beyond is provided to man. This basic purpose of righteous religions conveyed to man through messengers and books is given in many verses in the Quran:

…We have sent down the Book to you making all things clear and as guidance and mercy and good news for the Muslims. (Surat an-Nahl: 89)

We have sent it down with truth and with truth it has come down. We only sent you to bring good news and to give warning. (Surat al-Isra': 105)

(The Quran Explains the Real Purpose of Life)

Throughout world history, billions of people came into being, lived and then died. Only a minority of these people endeavoured to grasp the real purpose of life. The rest simply drifted with the daily flow of events and spent their lives in vain pursuits. Basically, fulfilling their own desires became their main purpose in life. An unconscious and irresponsible attitude underlay this dominant mode of behaviour in almost all societies throughout ages. Every generation, with a few exceptions, repeated the errors of the preceding ones and simply adopted the purposes and values of their forefathers. This is a vicious cycle still repeated today.
The majority of people are enslaved by "unvarying" philosophies and principles, which are mostly based on the following line of reasoning: Man comes into existence, becomes adult, grows old and dies. One is born only once, and death puts an end to everything. This is why people have to "make the most of life" and strive to satisfy their whims and desires throughout their lives.
Thus, people come to spend their lives which they think to be their one and only chance by adhering to the life style and mode of behaviour they inherit from past generations. In a spirit totally deprived of the awareness of death, they make pursuing pleasures and planning for the future the ultimate aims of their lives. Regardless of cultural and social differences, this fact holds true for all people. A prestigious education, an admirable position in business life, high standards of living, a happy family and countless similar goals become the unchanging pursuits of life.
These goals can be further extended and would fill many pages if enumerated. However, the truth is, all these people turn a blind eye to the one and only reason for their existence. Meanwhile, they spend a whole life, which is a unique opportunity offered to them to accomplish their ultimate purpose, in vain. This ultimate purpose is to be a servant of God. This is explained in the Quran as follows:

I only created jinn and man to worship Me. (Surat adh-Dhariyat: 56)

The way to be a good servant of God is also communicated in the Quran. Being a servant of God means accepting the unity and existence of God; knowing His attributes and appreciating His majesty, serving no other deity except Him and devoting one's life to earning His approval. In the Quran, the moral values and lifestyle favoured by God are described in detail and people are summoned to this way of living.
A person living within the boundaries set by these values is given the good tidings of a perfect life both in this world and beyond. Otherwise, a bitter end awaits man.
The lifestyle one adheres to in this world shapes his eternal life. After death, there is no opportunity whatsoever to compensate for one's reprehensible deeds. Therefore, behaving as if man owes his existence in this world to coincidences, as if he is not bounded by any limits, and as if he has come to this world to spend his life in the pursuit of vain desires would ultimately lead to his own ruination. Those behaving irresponsibly towards their Creator, ignoring the real purpose of their existence, and remaining unconcerned about its consequences in the life beyond will be chided thus in the Hereafter:

Did you suppose that We created you for amusement and that you would not return to Us? (Surat al-Mu'minun: 115)

In reality, such people are not unaware of their purpose in life: God proclaimed it through His messengers and books and provided guidance to the true path. Furthermore, man is granted a lifetime to take warning. A show of regret by those who, having turned a deaf ear to all these opportunities, have deviated from their real purpose in life and pursued their own desires will not save them from torment:
They will shout out in it: "Our Lord! Take us out! We will act rightly, differently from the way we used to act!" But He will answer: "Did We not let you live long enough for anyone who was going to pay heed to pay heed? And did not the warner come to you? Have a taste of it then! There is no helper for the wrongdoers." (Surah Fatir: 37)

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