The Biggest Questions In Metaphysics

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The Biggest Questions In Metaphysics

Does God exist?

Space and Time

If there was a God, how would this God exist? We take up space, and see time pass by. We witness things like thoughts exist, but not take any space. If this is all true, then where does God reside. How could this God exist if it doesn't take any space that is observable?

What is responsible for all this vast universe space that exists? This question is fundamental as Cosmology directly functions off the idea that because there is a large universe, God must exist. If so, then all these stars we are seeing, must be fake or something! It seems rather impossible that it does.

Your belief system impacts whether or not God exists. God exists if you believe that we came into this world through supernatural causes. However, I don't, so I don't believe God exists. That would be a one plausible way of proving God exists - through our existence.

What is our place in the universe?

Maybe we don't have a place after all. If we are just a sum of fleeting sensory experiences, then we are just an illusion, and our place in this universe is non-existent. But I don't think we are simply an illusion, so our place in this universe stretches larger and beyond what we expect.

Do you exist in more than one way? That is a question asked in this dilemma. Let's say you were to exist more than simply as a body, but with a mind that takes up space, but not in this physical world, alongside the multitude of thoughts, then it's clear that this universe is larger than it seems. It's like our place in this universe is smaller than it seems.

By understanding whether or not we are on this place by the will of a deity or through complex chemical and biological reactions is severely important for understanding. Intuitively, if you believe that a god placed you on this planet, your place in this universe is clear: a small one in a vast complex multidimensional universe.

Does any of this - even my act of questioning - actually matter?

Religion and Spirituality

Constantly emphasized, religion and spirituality can often make it clear for an individual that everything matters. Even if this is a fleeting physical world where you live onto a more spiritual world, your actions still matter. How you conduct yourself still matter.

Existence and Consciousness

Similar to what I discussed for Mind and Matter, things do matter because the axiomatic nature of consciousness means that you constantly have to ask, and bring meaning to things yourself. Things do matter because at the end of the day, it's important to figure things out and iron out the wrinkles in dilemmas like these.

Mind and Matter

We are little blips in a large universe with a massive timeline. My writing of this assignment probably won't actually matter in the grand scheme of things. But it does matter in the sense of my understanding of self. My beliefs in whether or not I am a mind inside a body, or a body with a mind matter because it affects other. It has ripple effects that can go on for generations. It helps me determine who I am obligated to, and what responsibilities I have. In short, even if nothing actually mattered, the one thing that would matter is how you perceive yourself and the world which thus impacts how you interact with it.

Do we have free will?

Cosmology

Cosmology, while connected to Spirituality provides a unique argument for free will. In the pursuit of understanding if there was a deity that created the universe, that means there was an inherent free will that existed when creating the universe. If so, then that means we must have free will, if we are even a sliver able to think to the levels of this deity. There must have been free will when they created this world because if there wasn't, then it's unlikely that we would be feeling this sense of autonomy and free will.

Religion can be an extremely important factor in determining free will. Let's say you are a christian, well then you are compelled to believe you have free will because you either have the decision to be good or evil. Even with this overarching fear of going to hell permanently, you continuously decide to do some sinful actions. These unpractical actions rather prove that you do have free will, because if not then you would feel hopeless in this quest and people wouldn't have the ability to change their lives around. There must be free will because even with the social conditioning that is important to determinism, we sometimes do the unexpected.

Determinism

Determinism makes a compelling argument we don't. It says that our actions, are a chain of reactions from the other, socially conditioned to do so. Determinism is very hard to refute, but I still don't buy it. This is because of the engrained way we believe there is some autonomy. Sure, the choice of whether or not to wash your hands might be caused by a chain of actions, but the decision of where to go for post-secondary feels like you. You made this decision, based on your consciousness and experiences you've had. You have the autonomy. So while determinism might make sense in some scenarios, in other I just don't see how determinism can be so influential to the point where the decision isn't yours anymore.

What is the meaning of life?

Identity and Change

Back when civilization wasn't as developed as it is today, survival was key. You identified people by their age, ranking in the tribe persay, and famously if they were hunter or gatherer (I'm not sure if this is true, it's a common stereotype). Changes to identities happen as the needs of a society changes. It's easy to get by, and so what should you do with your time? You have this freedom, and what should you do with it? I think the answer lies within the answer to these questions, and the meaning of life shifts as your identity changes and what you identify as necessities.

What happens after you make a mistake? You might impulsively try it again in a fit of rage, but you might come back later, remind yourself what went wrong and actively try to fix that. In short, you change. I think the whole foundation to life is that sometimes it feels meaningless - like you are getting nowhere. But everyone's individuals failures, successes and overall experiences shapes what makes them happy, and what is the purpose of moving forward. So even if it might not right now make you the most happy, it's about what satisfies and shapes your identity and what you believe in that makes you the happiest.

For those who might not have a clear higher metaphysical purpose on this planet, this question might not be easy. We often pose this question after hitting obstacle after obstacle, but I think that's the point.

Spirituality

Christians believe their job is to be God's messengers and servants. Buddhists want to transcend and break cycles of reincarnation. Indigenous people want to ensure their ancestors are recognized and to respect the land. In each religion/spirituality, it is very well ingrained and clearly stated what is expected of them on this planet. It is an action plan, that allows them to have a clear sense when it feels like they have to make choices. When the choice is clear, and you feel like you are fulfilling those goals, you become happy.

Sometimes finding meaning is easy - when it's told to you that you are on this planet to serve a higher, metaphysical and abstract purpose.

Determinism and Free Will

The meaning of life is to be happy! Let's say my life is predetermined, then nothing I do matters, and so I should do the things that is most morally good and happy for me! That is why, we pursue careers, have children, etc. because if nothing matters then why not do stuff that fulfills me the most! Let's say I have free will, then everything I do matters. My life is in my hands, and I have a responsibility to make the most out of this life, whether it's to do good, or ensure everyone else is happy. Whatever provides me with the most fulfillment! Either way, the recognizition of needing to be happy is important and leads us to be miserable when we aren't happy. It's why we want to 'seize the day!'

Do we choose to get out of bed? Or is it because we, as a society, conditioned you to do so? Does life even have meaning if I do not get to decide my actions, but rather am a product of society's norms, actions and power? In the quest to find whether or not humans have free will, often people get cynical of the world and question their purpose on this planet. Let's say you have free will - you are overburdened with this extreme responsibility to make an impact that is meaningful, which is harder than it sounds. Let's say everything is predetermined - then your life is meaningless and the lack of autonomy means that you are just another object in a vast universe.