The issue I found with Hermes' question, and how I interpreted what Emet told him is that he wasn't asking if there was a purpose or reason for living. He was asking why things have to suffer and die. Hermes though, in his grand mental gymnastics performance, still felt that he can find the answer to one by solving another. Hence, Emet pointing out that what Hermes essentially did was program a paradox directly into Meteion. Find the meaning in of life, in the endless cold black sea of outer space? It was the catalyst to bring about their doom. If this gives you a sense of fury towards Hermes, this is exactly what this is supposed to do to the viewer.

Ultimately what Hermes concluded was that if existence is meant to persist, then it will find a way to avert its own demise. He wasn't wrong.