Published on 12, July, 2020
I question things all too much, which is a blessing and a curse. It allows me to see through things that others take at face value and not inquire more about. However, it leaves me struggling a lot to find purpose in life. I went through a period of investigating different religions to see which ones aligned with my own beliefs. All of them are beautiful in their own way and offer a humble and purposeful approach to life, however I struggled to really 'get into' any of them, if that makes sense.
Hinduism and Buddhism were highly intriguing since atheism is also mentioned (Buddhism more so, only a small number of Hindus are atheist). Although I'm open that I may be biased towards these due to many of my ancestors likely being Hindu or Buddhist.
The atheistic worldview makes the most sense for my brain ,scientific findings (age of Earth and universe etc) and the theory of evolution seem highly likely in my opinion.
However, I'm not narrow-minded, and I understand that transcendental beliefs can be extremely powerful for other people, and make them better as a whole. Many of the people I get on with are religious, and they know I'm an atheist. They open up to me about their worldview and principles, which is nice.
I can also see how nihilism can come to easy to some atheists, myself included. In my opinion this can be an unhealthy way to live life.
Ultimately for me, the purpose of life is to find purpose and to try to make it a better place for others. Regardless of belief, human decency, respect for others and open-mindedness can be easily achieved. I think this is a philosophy in it's own right, it might be existentialism?
here is an approach that has worked for me:
https://web.archive.org/web/20090501113258/http:/home.pages.at/onkellotus/TTK/English_Wu2_TTK.html
this is the best translation out there IMO.
Lestat said:(Matter in the ) Universe is distributed in same ratio as human neurons.
How does dark matter fit into this distrubution? I'd be curious as this category makes up the bulk of the matter in the universe.
(Matter in the ) Universe is distributed in same ratio as human neurons.
Jay4472 said:The atheistic worldview makes the most sense for my brain
I found that answering one simple question to my own satisfaction opened a lot of doors for me and seemingly provides an answer to your question.
Are we living in a creation OR a series of semi-random events arising spontaneously and without purpose? PIck an answer to that quetion and your life choices tend to snap into focus.(At least that's how it worked for me. YMMV!)
I'm on "moderation" and t's the weekend, so this will appear probably long after you've moved on, but thanks for the interesting philosohical post and sharng your journey..
In the post-Covid era, one of the most important lessons that Covid has taught us is to never accept anything at face value and to always question everything, finding the most accurate and truthful sources of information, pushing past resistance mechanisms like censorship to find truthful sources of information in order to find truthful answers - the degree to which we encounter resistance tells us that we are touching a nerve and are right above target, that is the truth - there is not a truth, someone else’s truth (or reality) the “perceived truth” or perceived wisdom, there is only THE truth
Desmond79 said:Some things are beyond scientific explanation. And science is NEVER settled.
Ah but that is the beauty of science. It does not claim to know everything which is often the approach of the church.
Science says "from what we can prove now, this explanation fits the fact the best. If we get a better solution in the face of new facts then we will change our explanation"
In essence facts drive science unlike religion which creates bizarre stories to make the facts fit its teachings (eg the dinosaurs were faked by god to make man question gods existance).
When science covers this is says "new uncovered fact mean we need to reconsider how we think the dinosaurs were - what can we prove and build a theory to fit it?"
Religion = facts must be made to fit the stories
Science = stories are made to fit the facts.
Camus and Wilson are easier to read than Satre.
Jay4472 said:Ultimately for me, the purpose of life is to find purpose and to try to make it a better place for others. Regardless of belief, human decency, respect for others and open-mindedness can be easily achieved.
That sounds like a good way to live a life although I must say that I'm not sure that those things are that 'easily achieved' as they are far from universally demonstrated by humankind.
I enjoyed reading a few of the Existentialists in my twenties
Did you understand them though?
That is the question
I enjoyed reading a few of the Existentialists in my twenties. Camus, Satre and Colin Wilson are all worth your time.
Usually, there's an answer in scripture. But, then, that's just me.
For example, the surface at the top of Mount Everest has the same minerals and surface as found underwater. While there was boat-shaped wood found on Mount Ararat. That seems like compelling evidence to suggest the existence of both Noah's Ark, and the flood associated with it.
Some things are beyond scientific explanation. And science is NEVER settled. That's the take, moreso, after the past half-decade.
The whole argument against religion, a decade and a half ago, was that believers based facts on their opinions. Now, since more is revealed, that it's the nonbelievers who base facts on their opinions.