Religion

One argument for a God is that one is necessary for the existence of the universe, however, is a universe necessary? What purpose does it serve? Why would anything need a purpose? Is purpose, like, value a human invention?

Causality-someone or something natural or supernatural must have caused the creation of the universe. 

 Reason and Religious Commitment (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)

Consciousness

 Global Workspace Theory

PHILOSOPHY

INTRODUCTION:

Science is excellent at answering what and how but why is left to philosophers. I am not a trained philosopher just a normally educated American citizen who sometimes think about things philosophical. Most Americans also think on these things now and again often arriving at a satisfying answer to why. This is my attempt to record my thinking on the various questions and my best common man solutions.

Within the discipline of Metaphysics, the biggest question (tongue in cheek) relates to the origin and nature of the universe. We should settle that before moving down to others. Some of the current theories are:

The Big Bang Theory (most widely accepted) states that the universe burst forth from a blank about 14 billion years ago, then proceeded to expand into a blank and continues to expand today into more blank. The cosmic microwave background provides some evidence for this expansion.

Steady State Theory. This one is difficult to grasp as it seems to present a contradiction in that the universe is said to have no beginning and no end, yet it is expanding and maintaining density.

Ontology (reality, existence and being)

Will Power

How short our lives are compared to the age of the universe.

If time is a thing and the Big Bang occurred, it occurred 13.8 billion years ago.

First life of any kind showed up about 4 billion years ago.

First humanins appeared about 6 million years ago.

Homosapiens evolved about 400,000 years ago.

, the mind (soul)-body question is one of the most intriguing. There are two basic theories, monism and dualism.

https://www.rankred.com/origin-of-the-universe-different-theories/?scrlybrkr=90878df0

Five main branches of philosophy: Metaphysics, Epistemology, Ethics, Aesthetics, Logic.

REALITY

The basic reasoning about what is real turns between illusion and materialism. Subjectivism, Intersubjectivism, Idealism, Phenomenalism, and Solipsism present material objects (matter) as creations of consciousness. In other words, all that appear to be objects are illusions, dependent on being only through the creations of our minds. Under Physicalism all phenomena, mental and otherwise, can be related to the physical; Objectivism defines reality as being composed of all matter separate from consciousness. Physicalism and Objectivism are the theories that are acceptable to most philosophers. Physicalism is a bridge too far. Could there be something more than the physical? In that I am aware that I am aware, I have some feeling of consciousness generated by the brain yet somehow separate. And therein is why Physicalism should be discarded in favor of Objectivism. It is what it is! No word, mental or psychological games. Bertrand Russell in The Problems of Philosophy makes clear that objects, no matter how we perceive them, are real. Our perceptions of matter are as real as the matter, however, bound by the senses. It is this limit to absolute knowledge of objects that opens up certain thinkers to consider matter as illusionary or constructed mentally.

EXISTENCE

Let us dispose of the God issue right off. To believe that some intelligence would create all that is living, an Earth, a galaxy, even a universe for the purpose of our beings is arrogant, selfish, and frankly, absurb. Why? Why would some omni-thing create anything except for its own gratification? And if so, is that how we would like to think of a God? No matter how we look at the existence of anything, we must agree that there had to be something that always was. Our experience of cause and effect and the inability of science to prove otherwise gives us no other options.

How? is not the relevant existence question that keeps one up at night. It's the famous why? question first posed by Guttried Wilhelm Leeibnez in 1697: "Why is there something rather than nothing?" Centuries-long thinking and debating by philosophers and scientists have produced a number of theories. Most of the theories do not appear to be much about the how and why of existence but more about the nature of life. Existentialism-life without meaning, we create meaning, no natural principles ; Ontological Pluralism-there are material objects in reality, there are non-material objects in reality and there could be other qualities of objects in reality; Meinongianism-seems to be very similar to Ontological Pluralism; Universalism-all exists whether physical or abstract; Essentialism-we are the meaning of life by definition; Nihilism-life is purposeless and meaningless; Materialism-all of reality consists of matter; Idealism-the opposite of Materialism, we construct all matter with our minds; Dualism-all is either mind or matter; Phenomenology-a lot like Idealism but with “experiences” added; Monism-defines everything as one thing, either matter, mind (consciousness), or some unspecified substance that combines matter and mind; Absurdism-the condition we find ourselves in, a meaningless, indifferent universe, is absurd, therefore, we make up meaning. Panpsychism-consciousness is universal and pertains to all matter and minds;

TIME AND THE UNIVERSE

A couple of the current theories suggest what is proposed within this writing: that the universe has always been and, if you will, in that sense is god. What comes closest to my thinking are the Block Universe Theory, Static State Theory, and the Cyclic Model of infinite universal expansion and contraction. My theory, to work, must be closely related to a theory of time that purports that all events are occurring simultaneously and forever. Our consciousnesses are mere visitors of a few of the events. Currently, science cannot demonstrate that something can be created from nothing. The scientific principles that champion the creation of something from nothing assume the nothing to be space, a vacuum. Such is not nothing as in some form it contains quantum fields. In the theory of Quantum Fluctuations, we must start with particle-antiparticle pairs. The Heisenberg Uncertainty principle depends on pair of physical properties like energy and time. The Casimir Effect phenomenon are quantum fluctuations. And the Schwinger Effect requires a strong electronic field. If one were to adopt the Block Universe Theory and simultaneity of events, time necessarily becomes null and causality must also be thrown aside simply because without a 'before' any event an 'after' could not have been caused.  An expanding universe implies that it is expanding into a space where the universe was not previously. That, of course, cannot be possible. After all, it is the universe and is all.

Existence

 Let us dispose of the God issue right off. To believe that some intelligence would create all that is living, an Earth, a galaxy, even a universe for the purpose of our beings is arrogant, selfish, and frankly, absurb. Why? Why would some omni-thing create anything except for its own gratification? And if so, is that how we would like to think of a God? No matter how we look at the existence of anything, we have to agree that there had to be somthing that always was. Our experience of cause and effect and the inability of science to prove otherwise gives us no other options. 

How? is not the relevant existence question that keeps one up at night. It's the famous why? question first posed by Guttried Wilhelm Leeibnez in 1697: "Why is there something rather than nothing?" Centuries-long thinkign and debating by philosophers and scientists haver produced a number of 

A couple of the current theories suggest what I propose, that the universe has always been and, if you will, is a god. 

What comes closest to my thinking is the Cyclic Model of infinite universal expansion and contraction. My theory, to work, must be closely related to a theory of time that purports that all events are occurring simultaneously and forever. Our consiousness are mere vistors of a few of the events. As of now science cannot demonstrate that something can be created from nothing. The scientific princples that champion the creation of something from nothing assume the nothing to be space, a vacuum. Such is not nothing as in some form it contains quantum fields. In the theory of Quantum Fluctuations we must start with particle-antiparticle pairs. The Heisenberg Uncertainty principle depends on pair of physical properties like energy and time. The Casimir Effect phenomenon are quantum fluctuations. And the Schwinger Effect requires a strong electronic field. 

Reality

The basic reasoning about what is real turns between illusion and materialism. Subjectivism, Intersubjectivism, Idealism, Phenomenalism, and Solipsism present material objects (matter) as creations of consciousness. In other words, all that appear to be objects are illusions, dependent on being only through the creations of our minds. Physicalism and Objectivism are the remaining theories that are acceptable to the majority of philosophers. Physicalism is a bridge too far to my thinking. Could there be something more than the physical? In that I am aware that I am aware, I have some feeling of consciousness generated by the brain yet somehow separate. And therein is why I discard Physicalism in favor of Objectivism. It is what it is! No word, mental or pshchological games. Bertrand Russell in The Problems of Philosophy makes clear that objects, no matter how we perceive them, are real. Our perceptions of matter are as real as the matter, however, bound by the senses. It is this limit to absolute knowledge of objects that opens up certain thinkers to consider matter as illusionary or constructed mentally.

Philosophy

Science is excellent at answering what and how but why is left to philosophers. I am not a trained philosopher just a normally educated American citizen who sometimes think about things philosophical. I believe that most Americans also think on these things now and again often arriving at a satisfying answer to why. This is my attempt to record my thinking on the various questions and my best solutions regarding why.

Within the discipline of Metaphysics, the mind (soul) -body question is one of the most intriguing. There are two basic theories, monism and dualism. 

Metaphysics: The study of the nature of reality, existence, and the universe. It's about seeking to understand the underlying principles and structures of everything that exists.

(Cosmology primarily falls under the umbrella of science, specifically astronomy and physics, as it involves studying the origin, evolution, and structure of the universe. However, cosmology does intersect with philosophy, especially in areas like metaphysics and epistemology, where it explores the fundamental nature and origins of the cosmos.)

• The mind-body question.
• The Universe: There are several fascinating theories about the types of universe, each offering a unique perspective on the nature of existence:

• Steady State Universe: This theory suggests that the universe has always existed in a constant state, with new matter continuously created as the universe expands
• Big Bang Theory: The most widely accepted theory, proposing that the universe began from an extremely hot and dense singularity about 13.8 billion years ago and has been expanding ever since
• Multiverse Theory: This theory posits the existence of multiple universes, each with its own set of physical laws and constants. It includes subtheories like the 
• Level I Multiverse (an extension of our universe), 
• Level II Multiverse (universes with different physical constants), 
• Level III Multiverse (many worlds interpretation of quantum mechanics), and 
• Level IV Multiverse (ultimate ensemble)
• Plasma Universe Theory: This theory suggests that the universe is filled with plasma and that electromagnetic forces play a crucial role in the universe's structure and evolution.
• Conformal Cyclic Cosmology: This theory proposes that the universe undergoes infinite cycles of big bangs and expansions, with each cycle being a "conformal" transformation of the previous one.
• Slow Freeze and Heat Death: These theories describe the universe's long-term fate, with the Slow Freeze suggesting a gradual cooling and the Heat Death suggesting a state of maximum entropy where no more useful energy is available.
• Black Hole Cosmology: This theory suggests that our observable universe might be inside a black hole existing in a larger universe.
• Quantum Fluctuation Theory: This theory proposes that the universe could have originated from quantum fluctuations in a vacuum.
• The nature of objects and their properties: Investigating how things are constituted and what properties they possess.
• Space and Time: Exploring the nature of these fundamental frameworks in which we exist.
• Cause and effect: Understanding how events are connected and what it means for one thing to cause another.
• Possibility and Necessity: Examining what could be and what must be.
• What is being?: The study of what it means for something to exist.

Epistemology: The investigation of knowledge, belief, and the nature of truth.

Ethics: The examination of moral values, principles, and the concept of right and wrong.

Logic: The analysis of reasoning and argumentation, focusing on the principles of valid inference.

Aesthetics: The exploration of beauty, art, and taste, and their impact on human experience.

Political Philosophy: The study of government, justice, rights, and the role of individuals within society.

Where does the mind-body question fit? Dualism

Its easier and more plausible that :
(a) The universe has ALWAYS existed and WILL always exist. And that :
(b) Is always subject to change dispite long periods of static in some regions.
(c) contains an amount of energy which is infinite and dispite chemical interactions, remains the same.
And (d) is composed of elements and particles, atoms and sub-atomic particles which can be known and are limited thou thier by-products may be unlimited. AND :
(e) Life and living beings almost d i dont happen at all and so is unlikely to exist elsewhere at least anywhere near where we are.
(f) 99.9 % of space is freezing cold and 0.001% is way hotter than any life form could ever tolerate. And percentages of infinite amounts are abstract.
(g) the human mind and brain is the most complex thing in the known universe.
(h) the universe is mainly harmless.

Theories of Reality

1. Objectivism: This view relies on natural science to determine what is real. It posits that reality exists independently of human perception and can be understood through empirical evidence and scientific methods1.

2. Subjectivism: This perspective emphasizes perceptual experience, suggesting that reality is shaped by individual perceptions and consciousness. It argues that what we perceive as reality is a construct of our minds1.

3. Intersubjectivism: This theory highlights the role of social constructs and shared beliefs in shaping reality. It suggests that reality is not just an individual experience but is also formed through collective human interactions and agreements1.

4. Idealism: This philosophical stance asserts that reality is fundamentally mental or immaterial. According to idealists, the material world is a manifestation of the mind or consciousness2.

5. Physicalism: In contrast to idealism, physicalism holds that everything that exists is physical in nature. This view is closely aligned with scientific materialism, which asserts that all phenomena can be explained by physical processes and laws2.

6. Phenomenalism: This theory proposes that physical objects do not exist independently of our perception of them. Instead, objects are merely collections of sensory experiences or phenomena3.

7. Solipsism: An extreme form of subjectivism, solipsism posits that only one’s own mind is sure to exist. Everything outside one’s own mind is uncertain and may not exist independently3.

THEORIES OF EXISTENCE:

Philosophical theories regarding existence, often explored within metaphysics, address the nature of being, reality, and the fundamental structure of the world. Here are some of the main theories and approaches:

1. Existentialism

• Existentialism emphasizes individual existence, freedom, and choice. It suggests that existence precedes essence, meaning that humans first exist and then create their own meaning or purpose through their actions. Key existentialist thinkers like Jean-Paul Sartre and Albert Camus argue that life has no inherent meaning, but individuals can find meaning through authentic living.
• Central themes include angst, absurdity, freedom, and the responsibility of choice. It often explores how people confront the "nothingness" or the seeming meaninglessness of existence.

2. Essentialism

• Essentialism posits that things have a set of attributes essential to their identity and function. It claims that every entity has a nature or essence that defines its existence. For example, a human being might be defined by rationality, while a triangle is defined by having three sides.
• This view contrasts with existentialism, as it suggests that essence (inherent nature) precedes existence, meaning that things are defined by what they fundamentally are.

3. Nihilism

• Nihilism is the belief that life lacks meaning, purpose, or value. It argues that traditional moral and existential values are baseless, and that nothing can be known or communicated.
• Often associated with Friedrich Nietzsche, who saw it as a crisis of meaning in the modern world, nihilism challenges the idea that there is an inherent order or purpose to life. Nietzsche proposed overcoming nihilism through the creation of new values.

4. Materialism

• Materialism asserts that only material or physical things truly exist. All phenomena, including consciousness and thought, are viewed as results of material interactions.
• There is no room for immaterial substances or spiritual existence in materialism; everything that exists is explainable in terms of matter and physical laws.

5. Idealism

• Idealism claims that reality is fundamentally mental or immaterial. The world is a construct of the mind or consciousness, and material objects exist only as ideas within the mind.
• Thinkers like George Berkeley argued for "immaterialism," where physical objects exist only insofar as they are perceived. For him, "to be is to be perceived" ("esse est percipi").

6. Dualism

• Dualism posits that there are two fundamental types of existence: material (physical) and immaterial (spiritual or mental). The classic example is Cartesian dualism, proposed by René Descartes, which divides reality into mind (res cogitans) and body (res extensa).
• This approach attempts to reconcile the existence of both mental experiences and physical objects, seeing them as distinct but potentially interacting substances.

7. Phenomenology

• Phenomenology, founded by Edmund Husserl, focuses on the study of conscious experiences as they are lived. It is concerned with how things appear to us through consciousness, rather than assuming an independent reality apart from our experiences.
• This approach aims to describe phenomena as they are perceived by individuals, recognizing the role of subjective experience in shaping reality.

8. Monism

• Monism asserts that all of existence is derived from a single substance or principle. There are different types of monism:
  • Material Monism: Claims that everything is composed of matter.
  • Idealistic Monism: Holds that everything is composed of mind or consciousness.
  • Neutral Monism: Suggests that both mental and physical phenomena arise from a single, more fundamental substance that is neither purely mental nor purely physical.

9. Absurdism

• Absurdism, a philosophy associated with Albert Camus, argues that humans naturally seek meaning in a universe that is indifferent and devoid of inherent meaning. This confrontation between the desire for significance and the silent universe creates an "absurd" condition.
• Absurdism doesn't conclude that life is meaningless, but rather that meaning must be created in the face of the absurd.

10. Panpsychism

• Panpsychism posits that consciousness is a fundamental and ubiquitous aspect of the universe. It suggests that all matter, even at a fundamental level, has some form of consciousness or experiential quality.
• This theory challenges the traditional view that consciousness arises only in complex brains, proposing instead that it is a basic feature of reality.

11. Solipsism

• Solipsism is the idea that only one's own mind is certain to exist. It suggests that everything outside one's own consciousness is uncertain, including the existence of other people and the external world.
• While often considered an extreme position, solipsism raises important questions about perception and the limits of knowledge regarding existence.

Abortion

The consensus among biologists is that life begins at fertilization.. This means that when a sperm cell fertilizes an egg cell, a new human organism is formed. This view is supported by a significant majority of biologists, with studies showing that around 96% of biologists affirm this perspective.

It is universally considered wrong to take a life without just cause.

Two problems:

1. Are the biologists correct or does life begin based on other ethical, cultural, and philosophical considerations?

Implantation: When the embryo implants into the uterine wall.

Viability: When a fetus can survive outside the womb, typically around 24 weeks of gestation.

Birth: The moment a baby is born and takes its first breath.

Sentience: When the fetus can feel pain or becomes aware, often suggested to be around the second trimester.

At what point in a pregnancy does the woman begin to share her physical (bodily) rights with the child?

What is "just cause"? Is the desire to not be burdened with childcare a just cause? Is the woman's concern for her physical and mental health just cause? Is gender inequality Just cause?