Interpreting Our Existence:
,
Meaning of Existence, Personal Direction,
Values
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An Attempt at Unifying the Perspectives of
Science and Religion
tempered by
Practical Experience and Human Sensitivity
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(My Legacy)
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(See also the essay "Theology and Astrophysics"
and “Evolution: Understanding
Our Physical and Mental Existence”,
all to be found on the website “www.schwab-writings.com”)
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Download the entire essay in Microsoft Word format for ease of reading or printing
011911
Abstract and Conclusions
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A new perception of “existence” occurs when one perceives the miracle of one’s own status of “existing” – as a human – within this grandiose, beautiful, but also quite cruel, universe and nature – at this time in cosmic and human history – for the short period of one’s own life.
Such a view can lead to fundamental questions: How can I understand and interpret cosmic reality and the natural world I find myself in? Is there a transcendental origin and control of existence? Can one perceive a meaning or purpose of existence? Mainly, what shall I do with my own life, what direction shall I pursue during the years of my existence?
Before proceeding, we should first study the various sources of insight available to us in the sciences, theology, philosophy, and our own observation.
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Conclusions:
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A meaning or purpose of existence cannot be discerned – and a transcendental “Structure Providing Essence of Existence” cannot be described in human, anthropomorphic terms.
A “meaning” or purpose of existence cannot be discerned because science indicates that there will be an ultimate total end or dissolution of all cosmic structures in giant black holes or ever-dissipating radiation.
One can also not see a guiding or helping God in a world where each organism is subject to accidents and attacks by viral, bacterial, or fungal diseases, parasites, predators (including humans), or natural catastrophes Especially the innocent are often suffering from terrible calamities – natural or man-made ones.
The observation of human life does not indicate a God who judges fairly here on Earth.
A compensating, eternal life after death cannot be expected in a cosmic or natural structure that is meant to dissolve.
However, the end of personal life can be felt (as I once did) as a deeply peaceful, transcendental homecoming.
What remains is a limitless admiration for the most abstract and ultimate “Structure Providing Essence of Existence”, whatever name we give it, and for the unbelievably intricate functioning of the evolving world we participate in.
Nevertheless, one should not take away a deep-felt, comforting or uplifting faith from the suffering and striving in this world. – specifically not, if such faith offers an ethically constructive and benevolent direction in life – as best formulated by Jesus in parts of the “Sermon on the Mount”.
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For us humans remains to do the best we can on, or for, this Earth, our common home – to reduce suffering, to increase opportunity fairly for all, and to bring some joy and light to whatever small area over which we have any influence – while being good stewards of nature.
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What direction shall we take for our own lives?
Practicality indicates that we first should build and maintain an economic “support base”, to decently support ourselves and our family, while then, or in parallel, seeking fulfillment of life as described below – especially when striving for excellence in our occupation and somewhat succeeding.
The specific results of a fundamental inquiry may remain contradictory as to what one should do and what one wants to do.
An individual direction for us depends upon our starting conditions, or environment, and our natural capabilities, personality, or “character”. Furthermore, destiny or opportunities have a controlling impact.
Most importantly, prudent determination will make the difference.
In any event, one must keep a practical mind and human sensitivity.
One should accept overarching evolution, but along with faith in the individual human potential for impact or change.
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The development of our personal potential is the natural goal in life for us all.
Any direction in life can lead upwards in struggle through three levels – supported by corresponding “values”:
On a basic level, often in misery but also in basic human harmony, is the struggle for the satisfaction of the fundamental human needs for food, clothing, shelter, and medical care – all of which, for far too many on Earth, are still inadequate. There also is the basic desire for procreation and search for the warmth of some human company in the family and with friends, even for some joy about artistic embellishment or music.
Beyond this level, on a lighter level of life but also in the pursuit of false values, it is natural, and serves progress, to pursue some wealth for reserves – but this too often remaining a purpose in itself. Within social groups, there is the natural struggle for social rank and power, even empire building – for action potential, but this too often merely serving self-aggrandizement. Complementing these two directions, there is the pursuit of basic entertainment, in sports, TV, and lesser pleasures. All of this characterizes the wide middle level of society – more easily reached when the threshold of satisfaction is lowered, as by admirably modest people or by dropouts.
On the highest level of cultures, however, offering the most light in the fulfillment of life, one finds a striving for accomplishment in not one but three distinct dimensions of human existence:
(1) in personal mental growth (in exploring knowledge, in deeper understanding, in personality formation, and in the development of useful skills), combined with
(2) dedicated service to others (to reduce suffering and increase opportunities fairly for all), service to society, and care for the natural environment – and, added to these,
(3) participation in the artistic joy over the beauty in our culture and this world – a mysterious gift of existence (as is humor).
A balanced accomplishment – on all three levels and in each of the three dimensions – can lead to the positively felt fulfillment of the precious period of our very limited existence in life.
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Factual results count, but “value” is attributed by emotions.
Therefore, the definition and pursuit of our “values” is significant. These values are related to
the sensing of fulfillment in growth and exploring (with the values of freedom, truthfulness, openness, and striving),
the all-excelling warmth of love from close human contact and dedicated service (with the values of empathy, selfless help, responsibility, leadership, and trustworthiness), and
the light of artistic joy in culture and nature (with the values of aesthetic beauty, elegance, and positive affection).
In symbolic expression, the “value” of our lives results from our growth and how we bring some more clarity, light, and warmth into this world – wherever we can – accepting the positive in our own lives with gratitude – possibly with joy.
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Table of Contents:
1. Introduction: A New Awareness of Existence
2. The Fundamental Questions of Existence
3. Sources of Insight
4. Contradictions
and Decision-Making
5. More Comments on Observation and a Religious
Interpretation of Our Existence
6. About the Resulting Meaning, Purpose, and Direction in Existence
7. My Personal Position and Conclusions
A. Appendix
B. Corollary Thoughts and Comments
A Personal Footnote – THE HISTORY OF THIS ESSAY – can be found at the end.
© 2001 Helmut Schwab