What is it about the human species that makes us feel so damned important? Why do we think we represent the top rung on the earthly ladder? What is it that we think we possess that no other entity in this realm possesses?
The answer is myriad. For one thing, we've convinced ourselves that we're the only being with this elusive thing called a soul. This spirit-ness has led many of our species to postulate that we can live forever. But the big problem with this questionable formulation is that we can't pinpoint what this soul entails.
Is it part of our biology or does it exist independent of our bodies? Is it part of our brains or does it reside in some other area of what we call ourselves? Does it precede our lives and also succeed our time on earth? Is it made of energy? Nobody knows the answer, so, if we don't truly know what a soul is, how can we be so certain that no other entity has one?
Another explanation that could be proffered is that humans alone possess consciousness. Unfortunately, this explanation suffers from the exact same problem noted above. We really don't know what consciousness entails, so how can we know whether or not consciousness exists for other entities?
Many will exclaim that what differentiates us from other life forms is language. We alone have mastered the capability of complex, abstract communication and this innate ability has allowed us to develop science, art, religion and philosophy.
Yet again, this explanation is rather weak. Science has taught us that all sorts of beings engage in complex communications and this ONLY includes those methods that we can perceive. There's an even chance that other organisms have developed communication pathways that we can't even fathom.
At the end of the day, the only thing that adequately can account for our visions of self-grandeur is our own egotism. We think we occupy the top spot because it makes us feel good about ourselves. As we know from the world of sports, no group of supporters likes to run around screaming, "We're number 341! We're number 341!"
In essence, our supreme self-importance springs from one and only one place -- ourselves.
The answer is myriad. For one thing, we've convinced ourselves that we're the only being with this elusive thing called a soul. This spirit-ness has led many of our species to postulate that we can live forever. But the big problem with this questionable formulation is that we can't pinpoint what this soul entails.
Is it part of our biology or does it exist independent of our bodies? Is it part of our brains or does it reside in some other area of what we call ourselves? Does it precede our lives and also succeed our time on earth? Is it made of energy? Nobody knows the answer, so, if we don't truly know what a soul is, how can we be so certain that no other entity has one?
Another explanation that could be proffered is that humans alone possess consciousness. Unfortunately, this explanation suffers from the exact same problem noted above. We really don't know what consciousness entails, so how can we know whether or not consciousness exists for other entities?
Many will exclaim that what differentiates us from other life forms is language. We alone have mastered the capability of complex, abstract communication and this innate ability has allowed us to develop science, art, religion and philosophy.
Yet again, this explanation is rather weak. Science has taught us that all sorts of beings engage in complex communications and this ONLY includes those methods that we can perceive. There's an even chance that other organisms have developed communication pathways that we can't even fathom.
At the end of the day, the only thing that adequately can account for our visions of self-grandeur is our own egotism. We think we occupy the top spot because it makes us feel good about ourselves. As we know from the world of sports, no group of supporters likes to run around screaming, "We're number 341! We're number 341!"
In essence, our supreme self-importance springs from one and only one place -- ourselves.
Hi R T
ReplyDeleteOur dog, who passed a few months ago definitely had a soul, spirit, insight and love. He also could communicate his "feelings-needs" quite well. And since 96% of all communication is non-verbal, well, he was easily understood. I see myself as part of things, equal in importance to all other parts of the earth.
Love to you
Gail
peace.....
Gail,
ReplyDeleteI agree with the spirit of what you're saying, but, in all actuality, our communication with our pets is more one-sided than we often care to admit. A lot of what we say we understand is nothing more than a projection of our own feelings, thoughts and needs.