“Purpose” as a Natural Feature of the Universe
Mon, 01/21/2008 - 20:43 — admin
MICHAEL: It is this: Purpose need not be considered as emanating from a separate entity outside of the universe, or any other system for that matter, but can be considered as an inherent part of it. Then there is no necessity of inferring an intelligent being behind this purpose. This is not changed by the fact that within the universe there exist purposeful beings who act for the sake of certain goals or ends.
Purpose is a natural feature of the universe and nothing more. Within the universe, events occur for the sake of given ends. However, this in no way implies that the universe as a whole is purposeful.
TEACHER: Can you give me an analogy of some such system with which the universe might be compared, so that I may get a better understanding of what you are saying? Is there some example you can point to of a system which as a whole has no purpose, but which contains within it purposeful events and activities which lead to specific ends?
MICHAEL: So far as I know, there is no such example. The universe itself is the only such system. Indeed, nobody could design or construct such a system, since the very attempt to do so would itself be purposive.
TEACHER: Unless, of course, we consider the universe to have been created or designed for no purpose whatsoever, as in the case I mentioned earlier where an artist might paint or create works of art as the end in themselves. If one were to argue from this angle, however, he would only defeat his greater purpose. By winning the battle, he would lose the war.
MICHAEL: I'm afraid I don't understand your point.
TEACHER: To use the analogy of an artist would be to admit the existence of an outside agent, and the whole purpose of the argument you've raised is ultimately to establish that it is possible for the universe to exist without any external agent or Supreme Being. Is that not correct?
If life is materially based, then why don't we see it springing from matter in the natural world? And why can't we create life from matter in our laboratories?“Purpose” as a Natural Feature of the Universe
Science of Identity Foundation – Siddhaswarupananda
MICHAEL: It is this: Purpose need not be considered as emanating from a separate entity outside of the universe, or any other system for that matter, but can be considered as an inherent part of it. Then there is no necessity of inferring an intelligent being behind this purpose. This is not changed by the fact that within the universe there exist purposeful beings who act for the sake of certain goals or ends.
Purpose is a natural feature of the universe and nothing more. Within the universe, events occur for the sake of given ends. However, this in no way implies that the universe as a whole is purposeful.
TEACHER: Can you give me an analogy of some such system with which the universe might be compared, so that I may get a better understanding of what you are saying? Is there some example you can point to of a system which as a whole has no purpose, but which contains within it purposeful events and activities which lead to specific ends?
MICHAEL: So far as I know, there is no such example. The universe itself is the only such system. Indeed, nobody could design or construct such a system, since the very attempt to do so would itself be purposive.
TEACHER: Unless, of course, we consider the universe to have been created or designed for no purpose whatsoever, as in the case I mentioned earlier where an artist might paint or create works of art as the end in themselves. If one were to argue from this angle, however, he would only defeat his greater purpose. By winning the battle, he would lose the war.
MICHAEL: I'm afraid I don't understand your point.
TEACHER: To use the analogy of an artist would be to admit the existence of an outside agent, and the whole purpose of the argument you've raised is ultimately to establish that it is possible for the universe to exist without any external agent or Supreme Being. Is that not correct?