[Ford Prefect]

Yes, but science doesn't include "why", either. It only includes "how". The entire concept of "why" is an emotional question. The pieces we are missing about the way the universe works are questions of cause and effect, not of intent.

[Omniscaper]

"Why" is a valid question to ask because we have the mental capacity to. I doubt science wouldn't be where it is if it was for the "why" factor of our curiosity.

Its becomes an important philosophical issue to tackle the causality behind the universal beginnings of existance.

I'm an artist. I see things a certain way that keeps me questioning reality. The more questions I ask, the more it  leads me to conclude that there is a universal artist at work. Why am I deeply moved by the sight of a colorfull sunset? What is it about our perception of beauty that moves our soul. In the end, it is the abstract thoughts that are the driving forces behind my technical skills when I paint. Abstract thought and emotions is an important part of human existance, but I also acknowledge that its not the only important piece of our psyche.

I believe "Q" put best when he said, "Its not about mapping stars and charting nebulae. Its about charting the unknown possibilities of existence."

[Grey Wolf]

"Why" is a question for philosophers. "How" is a question for scientists. Do not confuse the two.

[Omniscaper]

As a vocation, I absolutely agree with you. But why ignore an imporant part of our operating system? I believe humanity in general should always have these questions balanced in our minds before we go to bed each night.

[Ford Prefect]

I'm a writer and a musician. I know exactly what you're talking about when you refer to the artistic impulse. I am not debating the effect that our emotions have on us. I am saying that the only thing upon which our emotions have any bearing is us. I am asserting that just because we experience beauty does not mean beauty actually exists in an absolute sense. Our emotions will never stop influencing us but they have no effect on the way the universe as a whole operates. I wouldn't trade my poetic muse for anything but I don't think for a second that the cosmos produces things for me to write about.

[Omniscaper]

Why seperate ourselves from the universe? We are made of the same particles that make up the universe. That makes that part of our preceptions important to very essence of our being. We're no Vulcans

[Grey Wolf]

At the same time, we must recognize that even though we're part of the universe, the universe is far too vast for us to comprehend. All we can do is hope to slowly learn the mechanics, and wonder at the cause for these mechanics.

[Ford Prefect]

Why seperate ourselves from the universe? We are made of the same particles that make up the universe. That makes that part of our preceptions important to very essence of our being.

Only in an emotional way. All the emotions we experience, including the ones applicable to artistic reverence, are no more than chemical reactions. The very essence of our being is just what you said: particles. Because we experience emotions we can't help but want them to be significant, but they are only significant to us, because we are the only ones experiencing them. We are simply lumps of matter with the ability to process information.

[Taristin]

Originally posted by Ford Prefect


The very essence of our being is just what you said: particles. Because we experience emotions we can't help but want them to be significant, but they are only significant to us,

In fact, to make this more relevant; Your emotions are insignificant to me. So why would they be significant in a larger scale?

[Omniscaper]

Originally posted by Ford Prefect


Only in an emotional way. All the emotions we experience, including the ones applicable to artistic reverence, are no more than chemical reactions. The very essence of our being is just what you said: particles. Because we experience emotions we can't help but want them to be significant, but they are only significant to us, because we are the only ones experiencing them. We are simply lumps of matter with the ability to process information.

Keep in mind, though we are made of "star stuff" we have the capacity to process information in unique way. Information is being processed through the human experience. If an archeologists a hundred years from now finds our remains, will studying our molecular remains tell him/her the whole story of us? They will find my paintings, or your music and something abstract  is emotionally communicated which will "paint" a better picture of the life that was ours. But of course that is still not the whole story.

Its like a data disc. Its made of plastics and metals , or etc. But its the information its carrying thats important. My perception of the universe focuses on that "information" and how it gets translated.

[Mongoose]

Jeez; this is getting way too nihilistic for me.  The fact that emotional states are caused by chemicals in the human body doesn't necessarily equate to the conclusion that that's all they really are.  I, for one, believe that there is something more to humans, something beyond a simple group of particles chemically bonded and acting as a biological CPU.  I certainly consider myself to be much greater than a sum of simple carbon compounds.  Call it a soul, call it an essence, call it whatever, but I think it's there.  It's not something anyone can ever prove, so it's decidedly outside the realm of science, but I think that considering it is every bit as important as scientific experimentation.  Even though I consider myself to be a scientist, I don't close myself off to ideas that can't be proven.  I think that's the general message that Omniscaper was trying to convey.

[Omniscaper]

Finally!!! Thank you Mongoose. NOW I can sleep.

[Kamikaze]

Omni: Dude, the laws of physics don't have feelings. You're mixing up scientists and anthropologists.

[Ford Prefect]

I understand what you're getting at; I just don't buy it. (Yes, that means that we're all just beating a dead horse, but isn't that what makes art and philosophy wonderful?)

Personally, I find existential emptiness to be a beautiful thing. I maintain a sort of sadomasochistic relationship with the universe; the totally absurd meaninglessness of all things is, to me, frightening, bittersweet, beautiful, hilarious, and altogether intoxicating. I want to run and hide but I can't look away. That's where much of my writing comes from-- not from the belief in order or intent, but the insanity of being a slave to my own irrational need for meaning that does not exist.

[YodaSean]

That's so totally emo

[Anaz]

Originally posted by YodaSean
That's so totally emo

Nah, there wasn't enough black makeup or "you don't understand me, no one understands me, except my imaginary friends" bit.

[Ford Prefect]

It's probably more along the lines of so totally deconstructionist or so totally naturalistic.

[Mongoose]

It's funny; I find that same sort of beauty in the feeling that we're all here for a purpose, and that there is something greater than ourselves.  I guess that qualifies as more dead horse beating, but as they say, different strokes for different folks.

[Ace]

Originally posted by Kamikaze
Omni: Dude, the laws of physics don't have feelings. You're mixing up scientists and anthropologists.

Hey, us anthropologists are scientists too!

Originally posted by Ford Prefect
Personally, I find existential emptiness to be a beautiful thing. I maintain a sort of sadomasochistic relationship with the universe; the totally absurd meaninglessness of all things is, to me, frightening, bittersweet, beautiful, hilarious, and altogether intoxicating. I want to run and hide but I can't look away. That's where much of my writing comes from-- not from the belief in order or intent, but the insanity of being a slave to my own irrational need for meaning that does not exist.

You know, it would be a terrible thing if the universe actually did have meaning and all of the bad things that happen to people happened becaused they actually deserved it.

So, looking at it that way, I'm glad about the randomness, senselessness, and brutality of the universe. It'd just be too nasty of a place to live in otherwise.

[EtherShock]

We may be all here for a purpose, but do we all realize what our purpose is?