Why Ask Questions?
The question being asked, I see, has generated the conversation
of all conversations--namely, the meaning of the universe, and
of human participation here. I propose that the universe is neither
good nor evil, right or wrong, black or white. I propose that
the universe is not merely neutral, but rather utterly meaningless.
Humans are meaning making machines. The essence of our existence
is based upon making countless distinctions between things. As
we apply our individual and collective interpretations onto everything,
our incredibly complex ability to create meaning generates the
emotions, passions, and hyper-evolutionary drive distinct to the
human species. Yet, due to our extreme diversity of meaningful
interpretation, we also tend to apply such meaningful distinctions
as good, bad, right, and wrong onto each other--which then generates
social conflict, and perpetuates what we commonly know as the
human condition.
All the while, the universe goes on . . . meaningless and in peace.
Now, having placed the imagination into this context that the
universe is meaningless--none of this means anything. But, of
course, it is nearly impossible for any of us to accept this without
making some kind of judgment in the way I've said this--interpreting
what I mean, distinguishing the ideas presented--or reaching after
a possible solution. But, again, that is all meaningless--more
of the same human capacity to make distinctions and generate meaning.
So even to say that the universe is meaningless means nothing.
What is essentially magical about all of this is that the questions
continue to be asked again and again and again.