Something beyond apathy

[vaneramos]

One of the difficulties with atheism is it draws one to the conclusion life is essentially meaningless. To suggest we're a cosmic accident is too extreme; in infinite time universes as complex as ours will likely arise based on natural laws. But those laws offer little moral guidance, besides how hard to hit the ground when we fall.

Evolutionary psychology provides some insight. If I understand why my thinking is programmed a certain way, I'll have better ideas what to do about it. But this still assumes our minds evolved for some higher purpose, and that there's intrinsic value to our existence. It would be just as reasonable to argue humans are a malignant cancer in Earth's natural order, and evolution is selfishness gone wild. Actually our presence is neither good nor bad, it just is, and what will be will be.

But I'm bothered that I don't get more excited about things like the article leafshimmer referenced yesterday: "Everything must go", an interview with apocalyptic author Derrick Jensen, who argues civilization needs to end now. I agree in part, because environmental integrity seems worthy of protection. But the atheist chimes in, "Does it really matter?" I have a hard time justifying action against human nature. I mistrust world views that include concepts of sin or moral corruption.

Still, I want to care—to find some inner fibre to motivate me in causes that interest me. Something beyond apathy. We need a measuring rod to discern human progress from stupidity.

An early 20th Century psychologist, whose name and writings escape me, argued religion was a beneficial delusion. It gave people a structure for surviving the hardships of life. Many disagree, and I know too well from experience how delusion leads a man into well-intentioned, destructive behaviour. Beneficial delusion? Why don't we all just get high?

Still I find myself looking for something: a symbol perhaps, a metaphor. Many of the wisest teachers (Jesus, for starters) understood their teachings were only fables and parables. It's not the plot that matters, but the lesson that lifts us from utter self-interest.

I'm not about to start attending church, but would like my life to be more active and directed. I'm naturally drawn to environmental issues, but can't even say where I stand on Derek Jensen's arguments. I don't know whether I'm a liberal or an anarchist, a humanist or an existentialist. When meaninglessness seems the most reasonable conclusion, the challenge is deciding what meaning to adopt. If there's one thing I want in this godless, hopeless world, it's to help make it a better place. But honestly, what is better? Maybe all this is needless worry, or an effort to make myself feel important by struggling, when the only outcome we can expect is a vast cosmic shrug.

Common whitetails, Libellula lydia, male and female:

Comments

[that-dang-otter.livejournal.com]

Maybe you need to "find your life metaphor". I read somewhere that people differ greatly in their metaphor for life. I'm a "life is a party" guy myself. I don't recall the other standard metaphors, but there are quite a few of them.

[ubermunkey.livejournal.com]

such great deep fodder for the munkey mind

Maybe we are a bit of a cosmic shrug, but to me what matters is my loved ones.

My answers change from day to day sometimes from moment to moment.

Be well
love
connor

[missprune.livejournal.com]

Well, you know me, Van, I've more or less chosen to believe my "soul" experiences and work backwards from there...

[nanocub.livejournal.com]

I'd caution that it is really religion and/or nationalism that is blowing up the Middle East right now. Spirituality is very different from religion. Peace.

[nanocub.livejournal.com]

To you, what does it mean to mean something?

You make the world a better place just by being. Perhaps you can also make the world a better place by loving someone. I know that loving Cameron made me a better person.

[hankdmoose.livejournal.com]

I've wrestled these thoughts quite a bit myself. That's one of the big reasons it took me so long to be able to call myself an atheist rather than an agnostic.

I knew there was a point to all this living we do, but I couldn't figure out what it would be without something bigger than ourselves out there. I've since come to a conclusion that I can live with. Although it's still something I'm trying to figure out, it's enough to allow me to put my 'religious' beliefs as I feel they really should be.

I tend to think of our existence as a happy accident of chemistry and physics. But that doesn't mean our lives have no meaning.

We've evolved to the point that we can look beyond the basic point of life (i.e. replicating DNA) to more "worthy" ambitions. While we may have come to being without specific purpose, we have taken to giving purpose unto ourselves.

Regardless of whether we see these purposes as coming from a creator or coming from within, they still lend direction to life. We are no longer here with the sole intention of spreading our genes. Now we are here to also spread thoughts, ideas, art, happiness, experience, knowledge... and in the spread of these abstracts, I like to think we are getting to the point where we can also stop ourselves being a cancer on the world (a metaphor I've heard in many incarnations, and which has to this point in our existence fit to a 'T'), and move ourselves into more of a symbiotic relationship with our world. Unfortunately, we've not all come to this realization yet, but I think (hope) that, in time, we'll get there.

If we don't obliterate ourselves first...

[capitalcor.livejournal.com]

One should not have to choose which "box" they fit into nor should they adopt the views and beliefs of that "box". I would suggest living. Make who YOU are your own box. Your own choice. Then live it the best way you can.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I agree with your friend, but for a slightly different reason: all species become extinct sooner or later, and new species evolve to replace them. Nature is never static. Evolution is constantly designing and redesigning. Nostalgia is the only reason for trying to restore things to the way they were, and it serves little benefit. No matter what we do now, we have changed the global climate irrevocably. Our best path is to determine what new steady state nature might establish, and try to co-operate with it.

But I sort of doubt we're that intelligent as a species.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I'm not even sure whether I'm an existentialist or a rationalist, but probably fall closer to the former (I'm just saying that to be sexy). I don't know whether or not there is a soul or afterlife, but it strikes me as a dangerous thing to believe in, distracting us from the Here and Now. If more people stopped focusing on the afterlife, and instead considered our legacy to the future, perhaps we would stop burning up the earth.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

That's an interesting question. Off the top of my head, a couple of metaphors I've considered in the past have been a pilgrimage, or a garden. Another one that occurs to me at the moment is a poem. It's something to meditate upon.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

It sounds a little trite, but you matter to me, bud. Cheers. You and a few people. That much I know.
Love,
Van

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Part of my problem is that I've come to disbelieve several mystical experiences I had as a Christian, and I'm all too aware of my potential for self-delusion. Which is why I fall back on science to explain things. But truthfully, those former experiences gave me what I needed at the time to survive. I try to accept them as metaphors I gave myself for making sense, and that the experience will change as I gain more insight. But it all seems very confusing when there's no steady reference point.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Loving Danny has made me a better person, too. That much I know!

I think we must also play a role in the community, and by extension all humanity. What I'm grappling with here, I suppose, is what I want to contribute.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Perhaps I'm less optimistic about our potential to get it together, and more cynical about our capacity to transcend our biological mandate. Apart from that, my thinking has followed a similar path and arrived at similar conclusions. The best we can do is try, and have courage to not give up when faced with doubt and uncertainty.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

I'm not looking for a box, but maybe for a reference point. What I mean is, I don't need to follow anyone else's system of beliefs, but would like to believe something that makes sense and also inspires useful contribution to the community. I know I do contribute, but my endeavours are somewhat unfocused these days. I'm guided somewhat by a belief that what I do doesn't matter, and I don't like believing that.

[vavaverity.livejournal.com]

Those pictures are SO cool!

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

[capitalcor.livejournal.com]

If it matters to you, it matters. Although validation is nice, it is not necessary. You, more than likley, inspire more people than you think. That is power.

[clairenolen.livejournal.com]

i do believe that people are looking for something that gives meaning to their lives and usually they idealize this concept, whether they call it " religion" or "science" or " nature" or " evolution" or " party"...*g*
In my understanding every soul needs " food" and with soul i don't mean a Christian concept, but everything that we are beyond body and mind. Food for the soul is something that opens our heart and makes us try to give and to share and to love more.
Whatever tool or object or belief system or goal is able to do this for a person is fine with me.

[hankdmoose.livejournal.com]

Oh, I wouldn't go so far as to say I'm optimistic about our ability to straighten up. Hopeful, yes, but far from optimistic. I'm a realist, and can certainly see the resistance to alternative fuels and other means of sustainability from the government (the one here, at least...), corporations, and far too many in the general population.

And I guess I shouldn't say we have moved beyond our biological purpose of reproduction, but more that we've expanded ourselves to do more than just make more humans. We've got science, art, philosophy, charity, and so much more. So it's not so much transcendence as it is diversification. We know there's more to life than the basic point of life. We've made it so.

And as far as yourself, believe me (and the others here) that you do more than your fair share of contribution to the aesthetics and thoughtfulness of this world. Unfortunately, it seems that the most talented contributors are the ones who fail to see their contributions as having any significance. It reminds me of a quote I once read. Thanks to Google, I've been able to find it:

The greater the artist, the greater the doubt; perfect confidence is granted to the less talented as a consolation prize.
- Robert Hughes, Time Magazine

[bearfinch.livejournal.com]

Here's a link to a wonderful essay-speech by a biologist on the topic of raising her children as atheists. She argues that atheism is compatable with morality, having a sense of wonder, and meaning in life, and I find myself in complete agreement.

http://www.cfinyc.org/transcripts_html/natalie_angier.html

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

What is the difference between mind and soul? From my long experience with religion, mental health and various kinds of therapy, it seems to me what really needs looking after is the mind. Thoughts, feelings, consciousness, the subconscious, dreams, etc. relate to processes that go on in our brains. And the mind is how we experience what goes on in our brains.

The words can get confusing. For example we often talk about feelings coming from our hearts. But actually all the nervous and hormonal processes that affect our emotions go on in our brains. My heart might beat faster when it receives a shot of adrenalin, but its only job is to pump blood, not discern fear or excitement.

I have learned to nurture my mind through meditation, creative endeavour, staying close to nature, improving my sleeping habits, cognitive therapy, balancing my needs for social interaction with solitude, and so on. I find my mind becoming healthier and life more liveable. Do you think I'm missing anything important by lumping mind and soul together?

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

That is excellent.