The Universe and the Meaning of Life

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  1. A.Villarasa profile image60
    A.Villarasaposted 13 years ago

    If, as is suggested by  astro-physicist,  the universe had its beginning after the Big Bang,( with  the exact nature of what initiated it  still up for a lot of conjecture), the question needs to be asked: Did the  the cascading events that emanated  from the Big Bang  that then ultimately led  to  life ( on earth, ---in the case of humans) have any  direction, meaning or purpose beyond the happenstance and haphazard  formation of "matter"?

    If true,  does  man's existence on earth have any meaning or purpose beyond the material? Is  man's  formation (via  the evolutionary process)  no more than a "happy"(?) /"freakish"(?) ending  to  the unintentional mixing of atoms, that became molecules, that then spontaneously grouped together to become cells, then individual organs, then organ systems that make up the human body?

    I'f man's existence does not go beyond the material and physical, then  why even develop  a multifaceted, multilayered organ ( the   brain )of such complexity that  it has made him a  sentient, volitional, and creative being.

    If the universe  exist just for the sake of existing, why did its creation led to the formation of an entity(humans) that is capable of  being aware that  he and a universe that sorrounds him exist?

    1. munirahmadmughal profile image47
      munirahmadmughalposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      "The Universe and the Meaning of Life" have been created by Allah Almighty.He has not created all that as futile.It is with purpose.
      According to the Holy  Qur'an:
      "Blessed be He in Whose hands is the kingdom of the universe and has power over all things. The One who created death and life, so that He may put you to test, to find out which of you is best in deeds. He is the All-Mighty, the All-Forgiving. The One who created the seven heavens, one above another, you will not see anyflaw in the creation of the Compassionate. Look once again, do you see any flaw?Then look still another time, yet again your sight will come backbewildered, and feel exhausted. We have decorated the heavens of this world with lamps and We made them as missiles for pelting the Evils and thus prepared for them  the scourge of flames."

      1. A.Villarasa profile image60
        A.Villarasaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

        My post was not meant to  ask  these questions  to the choir..i.e believers in a Supernatural Being, what in the Quran is called Allah. Rather, these questions were meant for those whose idea of the Universe and everything in it  is lmited to what would neatly fit  a purely astro-physical equation and formulation.

        One of the most brilliant minds  of our generation,  the noted astro=physicist, Stephen Hawkings, in an interview on Time magazine stated quite stunningly that he is not one of those who believe that God does not exist; but then qualified his statement that there is no personal God, but an impersonal one. The impersonal God to his mind being the "laws of physics"

    2. profile image0
      shazwellynposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      It is not enough to love life and ponder on its meaning - but to LIVE it!  Life is for living!! 

      Get this concept and everything else falls into place - love, joy and abundance.

      1. A.Villarasa profile image60
        A.Villarasaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

        Love life... live life...and you'll find joy and abundance. Simple, safe, secure.

        But... is that ALL there IS?

    3. pennyofheaven profile image79
      pennyofheavenposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Is thinking, dreaming, or imagining part of the material/physical existence you are referring to? The brain it is said .....is the conduit by which these processes come into being but where do they originate? In a non physical part of existence.

      1. A.Villarasa profile image60
        A.Villarasaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

        Pennyof heaven:

        It is the non physical part of existence that some  people have a lot of  difficulty conceptualizing. As earthbound are their thinking of what is real and unreal, the idea that there is more to material entities than their mere physicsl shape and form, totally escapes their  spatial  perception.

        1. pennyofheaven profile image79
          pennyofheavenposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Agree

        2. qwark profile image60
          qwarkposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Villa:
          I must be bluntly honest.
          I hate to read your comments!
          Your use of English is awful!
          I've forgotten, did you say English is not your native language?
          if it isn't I'll give ya a break.
          If it is, you should be embarrassed.
          The "devil" made me type that!"
          Qwark

          1. profile image0
            china manposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            The "devil" made me type that!"

            You may not be so far from the truth here - I write a bit about reality and one thing that is becoming clear is that when you think into someone else's reality everything reverses, not as in 'opposite' but as in mirror image, or like the controls of the first aeroplanes that went through the sound barrier - everything is the same but you have to steer up to go down.  Our friend V appears to be in the mirror looking out and I guess 'normal' reality looks kinda turned around and requires convoluted words to try to describe what he sees.  If you work it through, then whole paragraphs can normally be reduced to a few simple words, and they still mean very little.

            1. qwark profile image60
              qwarkposted 13 years agoin reply to this

              China:
              I don't get that far thru a reading to be able to make sense of it.
              Qwark

            2. A.Villarasa profile image60
              A.Villarasaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

              Chinaman:

              You've been in China for how long? and you still don't have any clue as to how the oriental mind works. A pity.

              1. profile image0
                china manposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                I have a very good idea of how the oriental mind works, it has one foot frimly in some kind of 'Romantic era' thinking that makes it impossible for it to see many modern concepts that require balancing two views at the same time, it likes to impose what it sees on the reality around it and is not as creative as the western mind.

                Phillipino however is not really Asian, although it may have derived from the same ancient stock.  With a history of only a few hundred years, and that steeped in the horrors, racism and domination of Spanish Catholicism, the Phillipino is still emerging from the thinking that came with its second class citizen status under the Spanish rule.  But don't worry, I am sure they will catch up one day; however, I don't think that mimicking the convoluted mind bending twaddle of your previous Christian masters is helpful at all.

                1. A.Villarasa profile image60
                  A.Villarasaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  Chinaman:

                  I'm impressed!!!!. Not really. So do me a big favor and stop twaddling whatever miniscule twaddle you have about  how the oriental mind works. You know nothing... nada.. zilts, zero.

                  1. profile image0
                    china manposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                    Sorry I'm late but just found this -

                    I note you blabber instead of making any comment or offering your self impressed wisdom on the 'oriental mind' - ?

                    Trying to slide the outdated concepts of religion into threads and disguising them with long words is not very 'oriental', I find most of my oriental friends to be straight forward and honest.

          2. A.Villarasa profile image60
            A.Villarasaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Qwark:

            Thanks for the vote of confidence... coming as it does from you, it must not meaning anything much.

            1. qwark profile image60
              qwarkposted 13 years agoin reply to this

              Villa:
              You see what I mean?
              Your comment:

              "...coming as it does from you, it must not meaning anything much."

              I can guess what "...it must not meaning anything much." means but don't you see these mistakes?
              You attack me for pointing them out to you! Why?
              Dubya was told many times that nuclear should be pronounced noo-clee-er, not nook-ya-ler. He was so ignorantly arrogant that he refused to pronounce the word correctly.
              I'm trying to offer constructive criticism and you pull a dubya attitude on me.
              Whew!
              Qwark

              1. A.Villarasa profile image60
                A.Villarasaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                Qwark:

                Just thought I might give you more fodder for your careful consideration and constructive criticism. Well the bait wasn't that much but you took it  hook, line and sinker.

                1. qwark profile image60
                  qwarkposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                  Villa:
                  Time and reading more of your writings will tell me whether or not you were guilty of a "ploy."
                  I'm watching you smile
                  Qwark

                  1. A.Villarasa profile image60
                    A.Villarasaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

                    Qwark:

                    You're very funny.  Thank God  your  humour has not taken leave of all your senses.

        3. profile image0
          sandra rinckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          I could say that it's the real part of existence that some people have a lot of difficulty accepting.  As heaven bound, reality escapes their perception.

          Would you feel a bit put off by that?  If so, then imagine for a moment how put off others might feel by what you wrote.

          1. A.Villarasa profile image60
            A.Villarasaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            Sandra:

            I'm as earthbound as you are, but I give myself the luxury once in a while of  soaring out of my earthly shackles, to find wonders, of all wonders.

    4. profile image0
      Baileybearposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I'm reading a library book that answers this question really well:  "The Atheist's Way - Living Well Without Gods" by Eric Maisel.  Don't be put off the title if a believer - it is not a hate book.  Very very interesting.  Talks about making your own meaning and explains why believers have higher rates of depression than atheists.

    5. Beelzedad profile image59
      Beelzedadposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Nope, and there is no need for direction, meaning or purpose behind our existence, unless one is inclined to philosophize them for their own personal satisfaction.



      Nope, and there is no reason to to consider such things beyond ones own fragile ego.




      You ask a "why" question where no "why" answer is required beyond the philosophical self-indulgence of the fragile ego.



      See above, re: philosophy and fragile ego. smile

    6. OpinionDuck profile image60
      OpinionDuckposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      What is the purpose of having the brain that you mention and then not use it. Faith in something unkown, unseen, and not present in the world that we live in, also defeats the purpose of having intelligence.

      It would be different if there was no mystery about what we are here for, and where we go from here.

      There are enough mysteries on Earth that if solved could be beneficial to all mankind, but to sit about and wonder what we are here for is just a waste of the brain.

      Mankind hasn't changed for the better since the beginning of recorder history, so having faith in the unkown, and waiting to find out where we go is a waste of time to be living.

      The world and the universe don't appear to be designed, as we use the concept when we design products. It is more like how we invent a lot of things. Scientists trying to invent synthetic rubber during WWII, instead invented Formica.

      Formica was a good product but it didn't work well to making tires.

      The point is that it doesn't take intelligence to blindly follow the unknown. Domestic dogs are very faithful but not that intelligent, Cats are not very faithful and they use us to their benefit.

      I believe in the phrase, "NO Good Deed Goes Unpunished".
      Religion is not an answer to your question, and as you pointed out science doesn't answer the question.

      Would it really make a difference if the entire universe was just our Solar System?

      I don't think it would make any difference.

      1. A.Villarasa profile image60
        A.Villarasaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

        @ opinion duck:
        I have always argued that man's existence on earth must have a higher purpose other than just what is so obvious to a lot of hubbers  i.e. purely to fulfill the biologic need to eat, sleep, breath, urinate, defecate, procreate.
        and to write gibberish posts on hubpages. If that is our only lot in life, then man's existence is no different from the rats that goes scampering in the garbage dump.

        Man's higher purpose is to unravel the mysteries of his own existence and that of the universe around him. If that should sound too  phantasmogorical to some of you.. then who am I to disabuse you from such a nihilistic impression.

  2. Cagsil profile image71
    Cagsilposted 13 years ago

    The Universe and the Meaning of Life are two separate subjects.

    One does not need to understand the Universe, it's origins or anything else about it, to create meaning in their life or for their life.

    1. A.Villarasa profile image60
      A.Villarasaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Cagsil:

      You are absolutely right is saying one does not need to understand the nature of the universe to be able to perceive and or formulate meaning to one's life.

      But  wouldn't  it be  so incomprehensively satisfying  to  be able to capture and understand  a grain or two of the truth of the universe, while in the process of formulating the meaning of one's life? The elucidation, illumination, and levitation one would get by  weaving  those two  processes would be exhilirating, beyond words.

      1. A.Villarasa profile image60
        A.Villarasaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

        I meant to say incomprehensibly satisfying...

    2. psycheskinner profile image83
      psycheskinnerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Exactly.

  3. profile image0
    zampanoposted 13 years ago

    Carpe diem
    That's the purpose of existence

  4. profile image0
    china manposted 13 years ago

    The question just illustrates the limits of thinking.  There is far more that we do not know than we are even aware of.

    Whatever thinking we use to deal with the unknown we are forced to look inward at our own place and everything relative to that.  If we think of the Universe is a single entity then the evolution of life leading to conciousness could be thought of as the universe becoming aware of itself.  This might partly explain the psychotic and childish nature of human society, the evolution of awareness looking for its absent father/mother as the inward looking view of our subjective coming into being.

    1. A.Villarasa profile image60
      A.Villarasaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      An interesting thought: The universe becoming aware of itself.... in effect giving the same sentience, and volition that humans possess to what astro-physcists  consider are but a conglomeration of atomic and sub-atomic particles.

      1. profile image0
        china manposted 13 years agoin reply to this

        sentience and volition ?  I suppose in plain english you mean 'life' - then there is nothing  more special about life than the mess of stars - it is only our awareness of ouselves that encourages us think so.

  5. rebekahELLE profile image85
    rebekahELLEposted 13 years ago

    I think the two are inextricably intertwined. man needs to connect with the universe in order to understand his own life, which is like a microcosm of the entire universe. I believe we begin to understand the meaning of life when we make this connection.

    1. A.Villarasa profile image60
      A.Villarasaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      The connection being, not merely physical, but metaphysical as well.

    2. Kimberly Bunch profile image60
      Kimberly Bunchposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I agree. Humans have been looking up at the stars and calculating the heavens since ancient times.

  6. TooEasy profile image60
    TooEasyposted 13 years ago

    I'm not trying to sound all "The Secretey" or anything, but the Universe (to me) really is a self-fulfilling prophecy; an ever-expanding incomprehensibly large congregation of matter that may have no purpose outside of the realm of random events. Yes, that would suck if it were so, which is why I stress the importance of living forever. It just seems like it's better to be safe than sorry.

    I believe the potential of human beings is truly amazing, and with the advancements in modern medicine it's actually possible for our lifespans to be extended by 50-100 years in our lifetime, and in that elongated lifetime who knows what could happen. What I'm trying to say is that we could potentially become so advanced/intelligent that virtually ANYTHING is possible. Anything in the realm of Physics, that is.

    Amazing Things in the Realm of Physics:
    1. Time Travel
    2. Exploring the Universe
    3. Higher Level of Consciousness
    4. Traveling between Parallel Universes
    5. DVRing 5 shows at the same time
    6. Not having to shower.

    Or maybe the Universe was created in 6 days about 6000 years ago. Either way, I'm very comfortable with my sexuality and I'm not ashamed to say that I really enjoy some good ol' Kanye West.

    1. A.Villarasa profile image60
      A.Villarasaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      HHmmm not having to shower?

      I don't know if ever I would take advantage of that one. Showering is one of the more pleasurable things that  some of us still love doing, what with warm  soapy water cascading down our back, tingling, and genly  massaging  our spines  at the same time. Now if you tell me that water may not be available as a commodity to be used for that purpose in the not too distant future, then that doesn't augur well for man's continued  presence on earth.

      1. profile image0
        Baileybearposted 13 years agoin reply to this

        my son with Asperger's hates showers - he hates the physical sensation of getting in, and once he's in, he hates feeling cold when he gets out.  Tantrums most night about showers.  Same with brushing teeth

  7. profile image0
    Toby Hansenposted 13 years ago

    I thought that everyone knew that the answer to the meaning of life, the universe and everything was 42.

  8. Cagsil profile image71
    Cagsilposted 13 years ago

    Incomprehensively satisfying? To satisfy oneself is always comprehensible. So, you using those together is actually quite irrelevant. In truth, it may seem like you've said something profound and full of meaning, but in fact- you haven't.

    There is no need to comprehend the universe, because it makes no real difference on the outcome of one's meaning of life or even purpose of life.

    But, you're welcome to belief what you want. My life rewards me as I expect it to, because there is nothing hidden within my life that I do not know of. My meaning is in place and my purpose is in place. Hence, there is no need for understanding the Universe or it's origins or anything else about it.

    1. A.Villarasa profile image60
      A.Villarasaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Well if you are quite satisfied with what you have formulated  as tthe meaning and purpose of your life, who am I to disabuse you from it?

      Go for it. Meanwhile, we, starstruck fools will go our merry way believing that being made of stardust ( Carl Sagan's contribution to human thought)ourselves, we can go forever reaching for the stars.

      1. kess profile image61
        kessposted 13 years agoin reply to this

        Since the Universe is Life itself,
        whosoever understand Life will also
        understand the universe.

        When you come to such a knowledge you
        are then One with the universe and
        nothing  will be impossible to you.

        1. Mikeydoes profile image43
          Mikeydoesposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          Very good. I feel like this on a daily basis.

          Very well said.

  9. melpor profile image90
    melporposted 13 years ago

    Pennyofheaven, you do not need to understand the universe to understand life. The vast majority of people do not think of the universe that way. Basically, we and other organisms on this planet happen to be here by chance because of the random events that took place after the birth of the universe. We were on the verge of extinction about 160,000 years ago. It was estimated the human population dropped to a low 10,000 because the climate became extremely cold and dry and people began to stay in clusters. Global warming saved us the first time back then. Again man faced extinction again during the last ice age about 23,500 years ago. The mammoths saved us that time, but the Neanderthals did not survived the 1,000 year ice age. Also, 98% of documented species are now extinct today because there have been several major extinction events since life first evolved on earth. We are simply here by chance because this planet is in what is called the "Goldilock Zone", it happens to be in the right place for life to exist.

    1. qwark profile image60
      qwarkposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Melpor:

      I'm giving you a standing ovation!...and I'm screaming YESSS! and whistling!
      You are an EDUCATED man!
      There are so few of US!!!!

      Qwark

      1. A.Villarasa profile image60
        A.Villarasaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

        Qwark:

        Please control yourself.....your enthusiasm for Melpor's prosaic  prose  is not as contagious as you would like it to be. At least from my perspective.

    2. pennyofheaven profile image79
      pennyofheavenposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I agree one does not need to understand the universe to understand life. Understanding life is on ongoing process and is highly subjective to each of us. Going back  to our origins seems like a pointless exercise  when now is all we have to live in. Unless the knowledge of our origins is able to give more insight into this very moment then the exercise may be worth while. Whether life exists because we are in the right place for life to exist or not we still only have this moment.

    3. A.Villarasa profile image60
      A.Villarasaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Melpor:

      Did you say that there were 2 or 3 near extinction episodes for Homo Sapiens?  and  with nearly 90% of all "known" specie having gone the extinction route?  Was it luck or Divine intervention?

  10. Rochelle Frank profile image90
    Rochelle Frankposted 13 years ago

    "There is no solution; seek it lovingly "
    — Socrates

    1. profile image0
      Sophia Angeliqueposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      How on earth is it possible to answer a question like that?

      All that can come forth are a multitude of opinions, all of which are different depending on the particular religion of the person.

      It's not even remotely possible to present any form of evidence, and if it doesn't have evidence that is scientifically verifiable, then it's not an answer.

      Science, incidentally, only seeks to explain what is possible to explain. It cannot deal with things that it cannot explain.

  11. qwark profile image60
    qwarkposted 13 years ago

    I don't get it.
    Meaning of life?
    Do you mean a "sense of significance?"
    To the "universe" we exist as a "happening." Nothing more.
    Meaning takes a "conscious" mind to comprehend.
    Meaning, then, can only be a "personal" concept.
    Significance of life? Absolutely none.
    Here for a moment, gone for eternity.
    Qwark

    1. A.Villarasa profile image60
      A.Villarasaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Quark:

      So you are still at it... plying your nihisltic view of man and his place in the universe, to unsuspecting  hitchhikers(humans) on a planet(earth) that just was at the right place("goldilock zone) , and at the right time (oh a few million years ago, give or take) towards what... NOTHING?

      So  you posting all  your  silly notions on HubPages about the non-meaning of life is one supreme act of futility on your part?

      Interesting concept... if I may say so.

  12. psycheskinner profile image83
    psycheskinnerposted 13 years ago

    I would say life has the signifance you attribute to it and therefore bring to it.  But that is subjective.

    1. qwark profile image60
      qwarkposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      psyche:
      "Subjective" and personal.
      Qwark  smile:

  13. profile image0
    EnglishMposted 13 years ago

    Our universe is within a mass of 'universes'. This is the only thing that can be construed as infinity, because a universe has an outer limit. After the birth of a new universe there comes the subsequent birth of a 'first life-form'. The first of all beings in our universe (the beginning of cells, chromosomes, genes and DNA) is that which we know as God. The first being to come from God (known as the firstborn son [seed] of God) is known as Archangel Michael. This is where (if you are inclined) it all begins.

    1. A.Villarasa profile image60
      A.Villarasaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Interesting concept... one, which I have never heard before, being  discussed in any forum. Please kindly give me some reference material on the idea you just proposed. Thanks

      1. profile image0
        EnglishMposted 13 years agoin reply to this

        EnglishM is your reference, A Villarasa. If you are so inclined?

        1. A.Villarasa profile image60
          A.Villarasaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

          So kindly educate me on these interesting idea you have.

          1. profile image0
            EnglishMposted 13 years agoin reply to this

            I'm glad you find my proposals interesting, A. Villarasa. I was trying to be subtle. My hubs are my explanations. I hope you like them.

  14. psycheskinner profile image83
    psycheskinnerposted 13 years ago

    Not feeling the universe needs an excuse just to exist is not "nihilistic".  In fact it is stating that simplying being has intrinsic value and we are under no implict obligations because we exist.  I find it kind of optimistic and liberating.

    1. profile image0
      china manposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      I can agree with this - it is the other side of the issue facing the old ways of thinking - being over the chasm and unafraid.  Religion is turning back and refusing to step out into the new era by dogmatically insisting that what we know to be untrue is true. By contriving and constructing any kind of mess as long as it looks like the past.

      1. A.Villarasa profile image60
        A.Villarasaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

        We are not even talking about religion here... and why do you always look at these things through the prism of a religious belief?

    2. A.Villarasa profile image60
      A.Villarasaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Psycheskinner:

      Sorry but my not having any connection to the universe and my place in it having no existential meaning just is not my definition of being non-nihilistic.

      1. psycheskinner profile image83
        psycheskinnerposted 13 years agoin reply to this

        Perhaps you need to think more about how people can see the world differently to you that is still positive, fulfilling and holsitic? Not finding meaning where you find it is not the same is not finding meaning full stop.

  15. OpinionDuck profile image60
    OpinionDuckposted 13 years ago

    I exist therefore I am.

    1. Milla Mahno profile image60
      Milla Mahnoposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      That's a big question. To me you look as a string of letters and a pic on a computer screen. I can easily write a program that does the same. Does this mean it will exist in the same sense you think you exist?

      1. A.Villarasa profile image60
        A.Villarasaposted 13 years agoin reply to this

        Hello Milla: Thanks for telling these too physically oriented hubbers that human existence should and must not be cocooned into a very strict, materialist construct. .. that man's life is not purely physical but spiritual as well.

  16. Evan G Rogers profile image61
    Evan G Rogersposted 13 years ago

    The meaning of life is the same as the meaning of getting hungry:

    "It's there, the energy worked itself into that frame, and it just happens"

    Does this mean that life is pointless?

    Nah, of course not! I LOVE eating steaks! I LOVE thinking about the finer things in life! I LOVE studying about how best to help my fellow man.

    I just know that, one day, I'm going to die, and that'll be that.

    "what's it like to die?" a man was asked. "I don't know, but I figure it'd be a lot similar to what it was like before I was born!" The man responded.

    1. profile image0
      Sophia Angeliqueposted 13 years agoin reply to this

      The dolphins said it was the mice. Ask Douglas Adams,

 
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