Life’s Meaning is What You Make It Friday, January 27, 2017. This was the night I formulated the answer to the great question that humans have been contemplating since our existence, “Are We Significant in the Universe?” After visiting the planetarium show at the University of Central Arkansas, I felt like I had it all figured out. Seeing the vast universe, or just the small amount that we have actually discovered, puts things into perspective about just how small the Earth is and how far away everything outside of our solar system is. There are stars that astronomers have discovered that are 13.3 billion light-years away and 2,000 times larger than our Earth’s Sun. While this may show us how small and seemingly unimportant humans are, we …show more content…
My claim that as a species, the human race has no significance in the universe as a whole is reinforced by Arbesman’s argument of humans not being located favorably in space, size, or time (Arbesman). However, Arbesman and I share different viewpoints on humans’ overall significance in the universe. The Earth is a tiny speck of dust in a vast sea of rocks, boulders, and pebbles floating aimlessly in space. The actions of what humans do here on Earth will not impact the rock that is seven light years away. We as humans can study and learn as much information about the universe as possible, but we will never directly impact the universe as a whole. To show humans’ insignificance in the universe, let’s pretend humans go extinct. The impact here on earth short term could be unpredictable, yet, the long term impact should happen like this. The ruins of our major cities and landmarks will begin to succumb to Mother Nature. Dirt will cover the roads and seeds will sprout. After a few thousands of years, human’s footprint here on this earth will have been covered up with dirt and overthrown by the flourishing herbage. The earth will continue on, vegetation will overtake our crumbling cities and new animals and species will roam the lands we once walked. The earth will not only continue to revolve around the sun, but continue to be overflowing with life. This all appears to be a major change, but the
Life, it might be argued, is the distinguishing feature of all organisms and may most usefully be thought of as involving various kinds of complex systems of organization providing individual organisms with the ability to make use of those energy sources available to them for both self maintenance and reproduction. Underlying this deceptively persuasive definition, however, lie those persistent traditional problems inherent in the search for an essential, distinctive substance characteristic of all forms of life. Additionally, as evolution theory makes clear, there is the problem of borderline instances, organisms of which it is not easy to say whether or not they may be defined as being alive. One such case
Most people want to live a meaningful life. They feel that is important to live a life that is sufficient and worthwhile. The meaning of life has been debated among many people and philosophers throughout history. There have been several theories used to try to explain the true purpose of life in some subjective or objective perspective. Louis Pojman argued that religion gives every individual life meaning to it and those who choose not to believe have no morality or purpose in life. On the other hand, suppose someone would object Pojman theory and believed that life with or without God is not required for finding meaning in life. In the following paper, I will explain Pojman theories about religion giving meaning to life and what that life may consist of. Second, I wish to explain how an atheist would reject his premise and provide a response to how a person of faith would respond to and atheists argument.
The universe is home to hundreds of billions of galaxies and billions of solar systems, yet there is only one solar system capable of offering life on a planet such as Earth. The exploration of these universes takes many years of research to get a small amount of knowledge about the giant universe. Many scientists and astrologists have dared to go on this journey of space exploration and have made a huge impact on the world around them. A well-known astrologist named Carl Sagan wrote Cosmos to impact and teach lives around the world about the solar system and the planets inside of it.
Over the years, philosophers have been preoccupied with finding an answer to the meaning of life. I shall focus on three major philosophical views in my essay – Metaphysic, Ethics and Social justice. I will also discuss my personal opinions on the meaning of life. I believe the meaning of life is to give life an importance. All through recently in my life, I have pondered what the meaning is. Why am I and everyone else even on this planet?
As we attempt to learn more and more about the universe and the outer space beyond Earth, we
they are designed to do, then how can they understand the Purpose of their mate or their marriage when that time comes. I believe God connects a husband and wife together for His Purpose.
According to W. John Kress, planet Earth has never seen a larger change than it has since humans came along (Borenstein). Many
To me writing is as crucial as breathing; it is a necessity for living. It goes deeper than conveying thoughts and ideas on a page. It is a means to experience several realities in a single lifetime.
Astronomy has helped us find a lot about how we can survive at a whole new planet. Although we can’t deny the fact that humans wouldn’t be able to live on Mars until the abundant water and minerals are extracted from there and until all the basic commodities are available for example housing, food, clothes and other necessary technological advancements, however if all these requirements meet we surely will be able to develop a home at Mars. Perhaps it’s due to astronomy that the human curiosity for knowing about their origin can be fulfilled. Astronomy repeatedly reminds people of two seemingly paradoxical statements; firstly that the universe is absolute and we are of but the smallest portion of significance, and secondly that life is exceptional
Humans have had a large global impact on the Earth and “the effects of humans on the global environment have escalated" (Crutzen). This can be called the Anthropocene to some scientists. The Anthropocene is “a new geological epoch in which human activity, more than any other forces, steers change on the planet" (Mooallem 3). There is also “evidence of widespread human impact on the environment through predation and the modification of landscapes, often through use of fire" (Steffen et al 614). Thus, it considers all humans from the beginning to be responsible for the damages to the
Life. Such a simple word; so much meaning. Life. Falling, I am on the ground life attacks me with the power of ten thousand volts, stretching my skin and contorting my body, letting me breathe only to do it again. Again and again. Over and over again, life comes and grips me and twirls me around, like in a dance, and makes me believe that I can actually survive it. Then, death, darkness, and everything else rears its ugly head. I think about it because it seems that, for a second, it would not come back. But of course, it always does; the nightmare is always there, and does not care whether I am prepared to face it or not"¦
Thinking of one’s own life as having no meaning is a difficult prospect for many, however; in his book The Achievement Habit, author Bernard Roth considers it to be paramount to success. Bernard Roth is a highly regarded and decorated professor at the prestigious, Ivy League Stanford University. This declaration goes against the common beliefs of what many like-minded self-help books instruct their readers to do. In the initial line of the beginning paragraph in the first chapter of his book, Roth states: “Your life has no meaning” (Roth 15). While this may seem to be a harsh and insensitive statement, Roth’s intentions in stating this are to the contrary. By utilizing the idea that Aristotle championed in Aristotle’s Rhetorical Triangle
These thought filled there head as they both sat on their beds in silence in the kind of darkness your eyes don 't get used to.
Obtaining a life of meaning and purpose in life is something that every human being struggles with. Trying to find yourself and locate your value in society. Even today it’s one of the biggest struggles. That feeling of acceptance comes from everything, your back round, your race, your skin color, your religious belief, your political belief. God intended for us to be here in this world but he leaves your meaning and purpose for you to find and seek it through whatever lessons and teachings you find. Martin Luther King JR always preached about human injustice and inequality and this is what the Letter from a Birmingham Jail was about. Nostra Aetate Vatican II had the purpose of creating awareness to the differences we have in cultures and
Throughout the history of philosophical theories there have many shifts of thought, one of the most dramatic would certainly be the change from focusing on ideas of God and the proving of God’s existence to thoughts on the “death of God” and ways to find meaning in life despite his absence. This shift is demonstrated by the changing tone of the writings of Anselm and Descartes to the writings of Feuerbach and Nietzsche. This change happened for a variety of reasons including but not limited to the proving of scientific facts that did not coincide with religious beliefs (evolution, the sun is the center of our galaxy, etc.), the changing societal structure that reduced religious involvement in everyday life and the doors opened by past philosophers. This change is clearly seen through that differences between the writings of Descartes and the writings of Feuerbach.