Finding meaning in the modern world without faith
Before continuing I want to assert I simply want to share my experiences as a growing person who has lived on opposing spectrum of theism. I’m exhausted from angry debates with opposing sides seeing each other as the enemy. I hope more of us simply approach this conversation with curiosity and love, sharing our experiences to live a more rich life.
What is this world?
As a child I grew up Catholic, simply taking after my parents. During my early childhood, I framed life in the context of this particular theism, as it was the only frame I had. It provided me some early principles on how to live and understand the nature of the world. I likely would have continued down this path, but I began to take a deep interest in science and learning. After being immersed in the collective knowledge of the human race on the internet for a few years, I unsurprisingly started to develop new ideas of the world.
How does this world work?
After learning about science and especially when I began to enjoy physics, I started to frame things in the context of what was scientifically explainable. The earth exists because of galactic accretion billions of years after the big bang. We can think because of electric signals being sent between neurons. We hear music because the frequency of vibration transmitted to our ear drums is perceived as a certain pitch. We love because our neurological circuits pattern match a person’s identity to their ability to assist us in procreation and overall advancement of our species, and releases a proportional level of oxytocin.
I intentionally ordered those examples in order of “coldness”. Science is now regarded by many as a source of meaning and truth, and would consider these examples as the harsh reality of human existence. This is where I existed for a while, but it surely seems like a dull existence to boil down music and love to such a trivial equation. I’ll propose an alternative line of thinking in a moment, but there’s a question that science (currently) doesn’t have the capability to answer: why am I here?
Why does this world exist?
Spoilers, I sadly do not have this answer for you. Using scientific reasoning to explain why I exist in this room typing on this computer tracing back from all evidence that humans can perceive either biologically or through our created devices, we ask:
What existed before the big bang?
No one knows. The theory is that ~14B years ago all the matter in our observable universe existed in some sort of singularity which destroyed all information of what might have existed prior. Not only that, but the concept of time as general relativity asserts says that time is linked with the fabric of space. When the universe was created by the big bang, it wasn’t just chunks of matter flying around, the fabric of space itself expanded with it. Therefore the question of before the big bang might be the entirely wrong question to ask.
Some scientists argue that if we continue our research, we will find these answers. Maybe someday we will find a Theory of Everything that will explain all the strange nuances between general relativity and quantum mechanics, and that will pave the way to divine peace and understanding. And if you fall in that category, I applaud your strength and will be looking at your research findings very closely. However, I hope you are happy and not plagued with existentialism in the interim, because with our current toolbox, that’s where the path leads (in my opinion).
How do I become content with this world?
From this point on I’ll go with the assumption that the question “why do we exist” has no definite answer. So what next? Sink into nihilistic descent until we cannot bear the mere thought of existing? At the end of the day, we are here, alive, living in a universe we don’t quite understand.
There’s no “right way” to deal with this, I’ll share mine with the best of intentions but pick and choose protocols as they suit your own life and goals.
Take Care of Your Body and Mind
I’m not suggesting becoming an athlete, but a baseline level of nutritious foods and healthy habits create a sense of happiness and motivation to pursue progress. At minimum, be bathed in the sun on a refreshing morning walk, and eat more healthy natural foods that would be accessible to humans more than 50 years ago. Find your own journey in this, but this is overlooked and goes a long way. As Descartes said, “I think therefore I am”. Our foundational truth in this universe is that we can say we exist through our mind’s ability to think. This thinking, along with the unavoidable emotions we feel, exist through the physical medium of our brain and body. Once you exert the power you have to optimize this medium, the advantages will become apparent.
Pursue Your Purpose
I think everyone has a voice deep inside them that begs to be heard. A voice to pursue something in this earthly world. I’ve heard a man say that his purpose is carnitas and continuing his family heritage. Some love to produce artistic content in the form of vlogs. Some just love to share quality time with their partner and lead a simple life. It is easier than ever to be consumed by technological over-stimulation and readily accessible substances. I promise that once you listen to the deep voice inside of you, get up, and do something about it, the dread once staved away will feel like meaningful accomplishment.
Understand Your Place in the Universe
I feel that a big struggle in this domain originates from our scientific inclination to put ourselves outside of a particular problem. Quantum mechanics has made this difficult by introducing the idea that an observer can influence reality itself just by the act of observing. I won’t get into this, but it forces us to arrive at the same idea. We are part of the universe, we can’t place ourselves external to this problem because there exists no external place to be.
We could live a life of contempt, stubbornly trying to force the deepest existential questions into our inflexible concept of understanding. Or, we could understand that we don’t currently have the tools to do so. Perhaps we will one day, but don’t contingently base meaning on such a discovery. We have found science to be such a useful tool that solves so many issues, that we hastily believe it can solve everything with enough effort and research. Perhaps our existence is one of the rare questions in which our science toolbox isn’t equipped to answer? I can’t say this definitively, food for thought.
There’s a beautiful world of science to discover, art to create, challenges to conquer, love to spread, and meaning to find. I hope you join me on the journey of seeking this meaning, and enjoy every single present moment along the way.
