Reality is evil

[Hume]

The truth is that reality is not nearly so benevolent. Like everything else that exists – stars, microbes, oil, dolphins, shadows, dust and cities – we are nothing more than cups destined to shatter endlessly through time until there is nothing left to break. This, according to the conclusions of scientists over the past two centuries, is the quiet horror that structures existence itself.

Philosophers must reckon with the meaning of thermodynamics | Aeon Essays

Everything eats and is eaten. Everything destroys and is destroyed. It is our moral duty to strike back at the Universe

aeon.co

 

[Knuckles]

I thought we were living in paradise. This is a real let down.

 

[Yakuda]

The truth is that reality is not nearly so benevolent. Like everything else that exists – stars, microbes, oil, dolphins, shadows, dust and cities – we are nothing more than cups destined to shatter endlessly through time until there is nothing left to break. This, according to the conclusions of scientists over the past two centuries, is the quiet horror that structures existence itself.

Philosophers must reckon with the meaning of thermodynamics | Aeon Essays

Everything eats and is eaten. Everything destroys and is destroyed. It is our moral duty to strike back at the Universe

aeon.co

I'm always amused at the asinine suggestion that we're supposed to be happy about reality and that unless we are we can't be happy. That's childish drivel. Reality is neither good nor bad it just is. We may be able to impact realty but only in small ways and only temporarily. Happiness is just a response to what happens around us. Make different choices and you might have better response but reality will always be reality. Nothing more nothing less.

 

[Cypress]

Like everything else that exists – stars, microbes, oil, dolphins, shadows, dust and cities – we are nothing more than cups destined to shatter endlessly through time until there is nothing left to break. This, according to the conclusions of scientists over the past two centuries, is the quiet horror that structures existence itself.

I don't think an English and Philosophy professor is in a position to make sweeping statements about what two centuries of science ultimately tells us.

Horror? For a supposedly logical thinking philosopher he is quick to make value judgements about what it all means.

 

[Hume]

Like everything else that exists – stars, microbes, oil, dolphins, shadows, dust and cities – we are nothing more than cups destined to shatter endlessly through time until there is nothing left to break. This, according to the conclusions of scientists over the past two centuries, is the quiet horror that structures existence itself.

I don't think an English and Philosophy professor is in a position to make sweeping statements about what two centuries of science ultimately tells us.

Horror? For a supposedly logical thinking philosopher he is quick to make value judgements about what it all means.

He is talking about entropy.

 

[Phyllis Diller]

The truth is that reality is not nearly so benevolent. Like everything else that exists – stars, microbes, oil, dolphins, shadows, dust and cities – we are nothing more than cups destined to shatter endlessly through time until there is nothing left to break. This, according to the conclusions of scientists over the past two centuries, is the quiet horror that structures existence itself.

Philosophers must reckon with the meaning of thermodynamics | Aeon Essays

Everything eats and is eaten. Everything destroys and is destroyed. It is our moral duty to strike back at the Universe

aeon.co

But humans are cooperative and have morality as a survival mechanism.

 

[gmark77]

The truth is that reality is not nearly so benevolent. Like everything else that exists – stars, microbes, oil, dolphins, shadows, dust and cities – we are nothing more than cups destined to shatter endlessly through time until there is nothing left to break. This, according to the conclusions of scientists over the past two centuries, is the quiet horror that structures existence itself.

Philosophers must reckon with the meaning of thermodynamics | Aeon Essays

Everything eats and is eaten. Everything destroys and is destroyed. It is our moral duty to strike back at the Universe

aeon.co

Reality isn't EVIL so much as INDIFFERENT. And that's the hardest part for the religous-minded who think of humanity as the "crown of creation" to accept.

 

[Hume]

Reality isn't EVIL so much as INDIFFERENT. And that's the hardest part for the religous-minded who think of humanity as the "crown of creation" to accept.

I do not think nature is indifferent. Humans are part of nature.

 

[Hume]

But humans are cooperative and have morality as a survival mechanism.

Yes, morality is mostly practical.

 

[Phyllis Diller]

He is talking about entropy.

Living organisms reverse entropy....for periods of time and thats what life is.

 

[martin]

The truth is that reality is not nearly so benevolent. Like everything else that exists – stars, microbes, oil, dolphins, shadows, dust and cities – we are nothing more than cups destined to shatter endlessly through time until there is nothing left to break. This, according to the conclusions of scientists over the past two centuries, is the quiet horror that structures existence itself.

Philosophers must reckon with the meaning of thermodynamics | Aeon Essays

Everything eats and is eaten. Everything destroys and is destroyed. It is our moral duty to strike back at the Universe

aeon.co

Whoever said reality is benevolent? (Not that it's "evil".)

 

[gmark77]

Whoever said reality is benevolent? (Not that it's "evil".)

I agree. As I noted earlier I think the really hard part for humans to understand is that reality is indifferent. To many a mind that is often indistinguishable from "evil".

 

[martin]

I agree. As I noted earlier I think the really hard part for humans to understand is that reality is indifferent. To many a mind that is often indistinguishable from "evil".

As if winds and oceans have a conscience.

 

[Cypress]

He is talking about entropy.

I don't think science, philosophy, religion have ever concluded that a human life, the universe, and everything is 'nothing more' than entropy destined for a final 'horror' of oblivion.

That entire statement is loaded with emotive value judgments which are not supported by either scientific or religious consensus.

 

[gmark77]

I don't think science, philosophy, religion have ever concluded that a human life, the universe, and everything is 'nothing more' than entropy destined for a final 'horror' of oblivion.

That entire statement is loaded with emotive value judgments that are not supported by either scientific or religious consensus.

Man you are TERRIFIED of the void.

 

[Cypress]

Man you are TERRIFIED of the void.

You're free to believe the meaning and purpose of your life is "nothing more" than an evolution towards thermodynamic equilibrium and high entropy.

 

[gmark77]

You're free to believe the meaning and purpose of your life is "nothing more" than an evolution to thermodynamic equilibrium and high entropy.

And you're free to hope it's something else.

Such is your faith.

 

[Cypress]

And you're free to hope it's something else.

Such is your faith.

Nothing to do with hope. I find meaning and purpose in life irrespective of religion, and I have never adopted your nihilistic doctrine that "nothing matters" except the slow decay towards thermodynamic equilibrium and high entropy.

 

[gmark77]

Nothing to do with hope. I find meaning and purpose in life irrespective of religion, and I have never adopted your nihilistic doctrine that "nothing matters" except the slow decay towards thermodynamic equilibrium and high entropy.

Why?

 

[Cypress]

Why?

Why am I not a nihilist?
You must be the life of the party.