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Silversoul
Rhizome


Registered: 01/01/05
Posts: 23,576
Loc: The Barricades
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On our insiginificance
#7773649 - 12/18/07 12:33 PM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
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Lately I've been seeing a lot of arguments to the effect that because we are but one species on a large planet in a universe too big to comprehend, that therefore nothing we do matters. Matters to whom? Nothing "matters" in an objective sense. Things only matter in relation to other things. Our sun matters little to the Andromeda Galaxy, but it is absolutely essential to life on earth. Considering that earth is our frame of reference, it seems to me that anything that affects events here on earth should "matter" to us. Go to a cancer ward in a hospital and tell the people there that their illness doesn't matter because they're just specks in the vast expanses of space. I'm sure they'll be comforted by your reasoning.
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WScott
´ ɑ `▽ ᑲᓇᑕ


Registered: 07/31/05
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Re: On our insiginificance [Re: Silversoul]
#7773697 - 12/18/07 12:47 PM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
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That is the difference between objective and subjective definitions of the word, I think. Objectively, we are insignificant because there are potentially trillions and trillions of other planets rotating around billions of other suns in billions of other galaxies. Subjectively, because this is the only planet we know about that supports life (and to what extent!) and everything that comes along with it, we hold in it a different regard than the other planets we know nothing about.
This is our experience. Insignificant in comparison (debatable) but significant to us.
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Silversoul
Rhizome


Registered: 01/01/05
Posts: 23,576
Loc: The Barricades
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Re: On our insiginificance [Re: WScott]
#7773701 - 12/18/07 12:48 PM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
WScottsdale said: Objectively, we are insignificant because there are potentially trillions and trillions of other planets rotating around billions of other suns in billions of other galaxies.
Objectively, significance does not exist, because it is a relationship, not an inherent quality.
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BlueCoyote
Beyond



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Re: On our insiginificance [Re: Silversoul]
#7773819 - 12/18/07 01:27 PM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
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"Born to be kings. Princes of the universe." - Queen We can't look so far into the future to consider if we really have an impact on our universe sometimes, but chances are there...for every (consciously) evolved species on every habituated planet
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Ginseng1
Elegant Universe



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Re: On our insiginificance [Re: Silversoul]
#7773965 - 12/18/07 02:10 PM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
Silversoul said: Objectively, significance does not exist, because it is a relationship, not an inherent quality.
Significance does not exist, but we do. Therefore we must create things in this reality, such as the idea of significance, because this only leads to more creation. We must make it real. Such is the meaning of the universe IMO.
To think we are insignificant is wrong I think. That is to say that we are not divine, but are we not a vast creation capable of amazing things? Are we not created with the same energy that everything else that exists is made of?
We have been painted with the same properties that exist all throughout the universe. All is one. One is significant, everything is significant. Even a worm in the soil, a tree, or a rock in the ground. They all represent something... we have yet to figure out exactly what. But the fact that these things exist, including you and I, is of great significance.
-------------------- Flowing through beginningless time since time without beginning...
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Icelander
The Minstrel in the Gallery



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Re: On our insignificance [Re: Silversoul]
#7773980 - 12/18/07 02:15 PM (16 years, 1 month ago) |
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I'm sure they'll be comforted by your reasoning.
It's not about comfort, it's about the fact that we are insignificant along with all material manifestation. (cancer or not)
But of course we are here having an experience and we are significant to ourselves. The problem is we don't usually see beyond our self-importance and insecurities about death and so we think everything we consider is very important.
So go for it. Think it's all significant and I will think it isn't and we can see how much what we choose to think effects the structure of things.
-------------------- "Don't believe everything you think". -Anom. " All that lives was born to die"-Anom. With much wisdom comes much sorrow, The more knowledge, the more grief. Ecclesiastes circa 350 BC
Edited by Icelander (12/18/07 02:19 PM)
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