The human species is a very self-centered animate being. At times in history, the common belief in many cultures was that the world was flat and that the solar system and stars rotated around us. Curiosity overcame custom, and today, we increasingly know that we are but insignificant on a cosmic scale. Here are five major arguments or perspectives proposed to answer why we exist.
Question 1: Why does the Human Race Exist?
Here are five major arguments or perspectives proposed to answer this question.
1. The Scientific Argument: Evolution and Natural Selection
- Explanation: From a scientific standpoint, human existence results from evolutionary processes. Life developed through natural selection, where species adapted to their environment, leading to increasingly complex organisms, eventually resulting in Homo sapiens. In this view, human existence is a consequence of survival-driven adaptation, and our purpose, if any, is to continue the species.
- Key Thought: The universe has no intrinsic purpose for humanity; life is a natural result of physics and biology unfolding over billions of years.
2. The Philosophical Argument: Existentialism and Meaning-Making
- Explanation: Existentialism posits that existence precedes essence, meaning humans are born without a predetermined purpose. We are "thrown" into existence, and it is up to each individual to create their meaning and purpose. This perspective emphasizes personal responsibility, freedom, and the creative act of self-definition.
- Key Thought: Human existence has no inherent purpose; individuals find purpose by making conscious choices and creating meaning in their lives.
3. The Theological Argument: Divine Creation and Purpose
- Explanation: Many religions propose that humans exist because a divine being or beings created them for a specific purpose. In this view, humanity is part of a larger divine plan, and human purpose is often defined as fulfilling the will or laws of the divine, seeking enlightenment, or preparing for an afterlife.
- Key Thought: Human existence is a purposeful act of divine creation, with meaning defined by a higher power or spiritual goal.
4. The Cosmic Argument: Consciousness as the Universe Experiencing Itself
- Explanation: Some philosophical and scientific perspectives suggest that Consciousness—and, by extension, humanity—exists as a means for the universe to observe, understand, or experience itself. This view proposes that humans (and potentially other conscious beings) provide the universe with self-awareness and that human experiences and insights contribute to universal Consciousness or self-knowledge.
- Key Thought: Humanity exists as a conscious reflection of the universe, helping it to "wake up" and perceive itself.
5. The Teleological Argument: Progress and Fulfillment of a Greater Goal
- Explanation: Teleology is the idea that a purpose or end goal is inherent in nature or the cosmos. In this view, humanity’s existence may serve a role in the gradual unfolding of the universe toward a more complex, harmonious, or enlightened state. This perspective often aligns with moral or spiritual progression ideas, seeing humanity as part of a more extensive journey toward ultimate fulfillment or unity.
- Key Thought: Humanity exists as part of a directed process or evolution toward a more significant, possibly unknown, ultimate purpose.
DFT's Building Blocks: Trading Earth Centralism for a Universal Viewpoint
Instead of asking, “Why does the human race exist?” perhaps we should ask, “Why do conscious beings exist?" Phrasing the question this way removes the human-centric point of view and opens the door to considering that conscious beings may also exist in places other than Earth. By taking this small step, we no longer exclude the possibility that life exists in realms and entities other than here on Earth.
This leads us to the question of what DFT usage of Consciousness means, which I will address in my next article, "What is Consciousness?"