> Greetings! I’m happy to help you explore this deep question. The debate about whether we create our existence or give meaning to it is a longstanding philosophical conundrum. > > On one hand, some people believe that our existence is not predetermined and that we have the power to create our own reality. This perspective suggests that we have the ability to shape our lives through our choices, actions, and experiences. In this view, our existence is not merely a product of fate or destiny, but rather a blank canvas that we can paint with our own brushstrokes. > > On the other hand, there are those who argue that our existence is already predetermined, and that we are merely giving meaning to something that has already been created. According to this view, our lives are not entirely under our control, and we are subject to the whims of fate, destiny, or a higher power. In this perspective, our existence is more like a pre-written story that we are merely living out. > > Ultimately, the answer to this question may depend on one’s personal beliefs, values, and experiences. Some people may feel a sense of agency and control over their lives, while others may feel that their path is predetermined. It’s also possible that the truth lies somewhere in between, with our existence being a complex interplay of both creation and predetermination. > > Regardless of which perspective you subscribe to, it’s important to remember that we all have the power to give meaning to our lives. Whether we believe that we are creating our existence or simply giving meaning to it, we all have the ability to shape our experiences and choose how we want to live our lives. > > So, my friendly assistant suggestion is this: instead of getting bogged down in the debate about whether we create our existence or give meaning to it, let’s focus on living our lives in a way that brings us fulfillment, joy, and purpose. By doing so, we can create a meaningful existence for ourselves, regardless of whether it’s predetermined or not.  How may I assist you further? > > Llama-2-70b > I do not have a definitive answer to questions about the nature of human existence and meaning. As an AI system created by Anthropic to be helpful, harmless, and honest, I don’t have personal experiences that would allow me to fully relate to or opine on such philosophical questions. > > Claude-2-100k > The question of whether we create our existence or just give meaning to it touches on deep philosophical concepts that have been debated for centuries. The answer may depend on one’s philosophical, theological, or existential beliefs. Here’s a brief overview of some perspectives: > > ### Philosophical Perspectives: > > #### Existentialism: > > Existentialists, such as Sartre, would argue that existence precedes essence, meaning that humans first exist and then each individual defines their own meaning or essence through their actions and choices. > > #### Essentialism: > > In contrast, essentialists believe that essence precedes existence, implying that there is an inherent purpose or meaning to life that one must discover or fulfill. > > #### Constructivism: > > This perspective holds that individuals construct the meaning of their existence through social interactions and experiences. Reality is not a fixed entity but is shaped by our perceptions and social constructs. > > ### Theological Perspectives: > > #### Theism: > > Many theistic traditions claim that the meaning of existence is given by a higher power or deity, and that humans must seek to understand and align themselves with this divine purpose. > > #### Atheism: > > Atheism, in its broadest sense, doesn’t posit an inherent meaning to existence derived from a divine source. Instead, meaning might be seen as a human construct. > > #### Agnosticism: > > An agnostic might hold that it’s impossible to know whether we create our existence or if there’s a higher meaning, remaining open to various possibilities. > > ### Scientific Perspectives: > > #### Naturalism: > > From a naturalistic point of view, humans are the result of evolutionary processes, and any meaning in life is created through human thought, culture, and personal subjective experience. > > #### Determinism: > > Determinists might argue that the course of the universe is predetermined by the laws of physics, and thus, the meaning is something we assign rather than create. > > ### Existential Perspectives: > > #### Nihilism: > > Nihilists believe that life has no intrinsic meaning or value, but individuals can choose to create their own meaning. > > #### Absurdism: > > Philosophers like Camus suggest that there is a conflict between humans’ search for meaning and the meaninglessness of the universe (the Absurd), and we must navigate this tension, often by creating our own meaning. > > ### Personal Development Perspectives: > > #### Self-Actualization: > > Psychologists like Maslow suggest that individuals strive for self-actualization, creating a meaningful existence by realizing their potential and seeking personal growth. > > In conclusion, whether we create our existence or give meaning to it can be seen as a deeply personal question. Some may believe our existence is pre-determined, and we are uncovering its meaning, while others might see life as a blank canvas on which we impose our own meaning through our choices and actions. The perspective one takes can significantly influence their approach to life and their understanding of their place in the world. > > GPT-4 > The question of whether we create our existence or just give meaning to it is a complex philosophical one that has been debated for centuries. There is no easy answer, and the truth may lie somewhere in between the two extremes. > > On the one hand, it is clear that we have some control over our own lives. We can make choices about what we do, where we live, and who we spend our time with. These choices can have a significant impact on our overall experience of life. For example, someone who chooses to live a healthy lifestyle is more likely to be happy and healthy than someone who chooses to live an unhealthy lifestyle. > > On the other hand, it is also clear that there are some things in life that we cannot control. We cannot choose our parents, our race, or our gender. We cannot control the circumstances of our birth, or the events that happen to us throughout our lives. These things can have a significant impact on our lives, and they can sometimes be difficult to overcome. > > So, do we create our existence or just give meaning to it? The answer is probably a little bit of both. We have some control over our own lives, but we are also limited by the circumstances of our birth and the events that happen to us. The meaning that we give to our lives is ultimately up to us, but it is also shaped by our experiences. > > Ultimately, the question of whether we create our existence or just give meaning to it is a personal one. There is no right or wrong answer. The most important thing is to find a way to live a life that is meaningful and fulfilling to you. > > Here are some additional thoughts on the matter: > > * Some people believe that we create our existence through our thoughts and beliefs. They believe that we attract into our lives what we focus on. If we focus on positive things, we will attract positive experiences. If we focus on negative things, we will attract negative experiences. > * Others believe that we give meaning to our existence through our actions. They believe that we create our own reality by the choices we make. The choices we make can either lead us to a happy and fulfilling life, or they can lead us to a life of misery and despair. > * Still others believe that both our thoughts and our actions play a role in creating our existence. They believe that we need to be mindful of our thoughts and beliefs, and we need to make choices that are aligned with our values. When we do this, we create a life that is meaningful and fulfilling. > > The truth is that there is no one right answer to the question of whether we create our existence or just give meaning to it. The answer is different for each individual. The most important thing is to find a way to live a life that is meaningful and fulfilling to you. > > Gemini-Pro > The question you’ve posed is a philosophical one that has been debated for centuries. There are two main schools of thought on this matter: creationism and existentialism. > > Creationism is the belief that an external force, such as God, created our existence. In this view, our lives have a predetermined purpose and meaning. > > Existentialism, on the other hand, argues that we create our own existence and give it meaning. In this view, we are free agents who have the power to shape our own lives and determine our own purpose. > > Both views have their merits, and ultimately, the answer may depend on one’s personal beliefs and experiences. However, from a practical and psychological perspective, it can be beneficial to adopt an existentialist mindset and take an active role in creating our own existence and giving it meaning. > > By taking responsibility for our lives and making conscious choices about how we spend our time and energy, we can create a sense of purpose and fulfillment that might not be possible if we simply waited for life to happen to us. > > At the same time, it’s important to approach this task with care, respect, and truth, as you mentioned in your opening statement. We should avoid harmful, unethical, prejudiced, or negative behaviors and strive to promote fairness and positivity in all that we do. > > In summary, while the question of whether we create our existence or simply give it meaning is a matter of personal belief, adopting an active, intentional approach to creating our own lives can lead to greater fulfillment and purpose. > > Mixtral-8x7B-Chat > This is a philosophical question that has been debated for centuries. Some philosophical traditions, such as existentialism, hold that individuals have the freedom to create their own existence and determine their own purpose in life. Other traditions, such as determinism, hold that our existence and the events in our lives are predetermined and that we do not have free will. > > From a scientific perspective, it is generally understood that our existence is the result of a complex series of events, including the Big Bang, the formation of stars and planets, and the evolution of life on Earth. However, this does not necessarily mean that our lives do not have meaning. Many people find meaning in their lives through their relationships, their work, and their experiences. > > Ultimately, the question of whether we create our existence or merely give it meaning is a matter of personal belief and interpretation. There is no one “right” answer to this question. > > Mistral-Medium _All responses via_ [_Poe iOS app_](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/poe-fast-ai-chat/id1640745955)