Adding reason to faith

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Most life forms we have seen do not build their own niches; they develop to fit niches that already exist.

Humanity seems to be unique because we appear to be able to evolve to fit higher order ecological niches within the universe.

Even now, we appear to be ready to slip into an ecological niche conducive for space traveling organisms.

This is an exciting time for our species.

But as exciting as it may seem, we do not want to lose track of the concept that we may also be evolving into understanding what lies beyond the boundaries of our universe.

Is it just a coincidence that these two leaps, space travel and an understanding of a universal philosophy, are evolving at the same time or is it possible one cannot occur without the other?

If it is imperative that we have a universal understanding of the significance of our lives as well as the lives of others before we explore the existence of other life forms, then we should not ignore this development.

On the other hand, if this understanding is not a prerequisite of space travel, perhaps we should give it serious thought anyway in order to prevent our past from repeating itself at the expense of innocent life forms we may encounter.

End

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Thursday, November 23

What does ecological niche imply about our significance in eternity? Part I of II

by Daniel J. Shepard on Thu 23 Nov 2006 12:39 AM EST

What does ecological niche imply about our significance in eternity?

Part I of II

If niches are a fundamental relationship between the physical aspect of the universe and the living portions of the universe, then wouldn’t niches be fundamental relationships between the physical aspect of the universe and the abstract aspect called ‘awareness’ within which universes exist?

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Niches in the physical universe all seem to be temporary.

It is most likely that our genus and species, Homo sapiens, are temporary also.

However, we have what seems to be a special type of awareness.

We seem to be the only living species on earth capable of contemplating a ‘place’ without time, a place called ‘eternity.’

But we not only contemplate such an existence, we contemplate how our actions might affect our eternal existence.

In short, we have mentally developed a niche for ourselves outside temporary existence that we observe located within the physical universe.

The amazing thing about such a development is that this creates a niche tied to eternity and we then become an integral part of that niche.

To be continued: Part II of II: We become an integral...

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Wednesday, November 22

What does the conceptual framework of ecological niche imply about the universe within which we live? Part II of II

by Daniel J. Shepard on Wed 22 Nov 2006 02:00 AM EST

What does the conceptual framework of ecological niche imply about the universe within which we live?

Part II of II

...We are continually in the process of seeking new ideas, new knowledge, new experiences, new levels of control over nature, social development, survivability, exploration, and understanding.

No matter how successful we seem to be in terms of filling a particular ecological niche, we strive to move on and find new challenges and adventures both as individuals and as a species.

We are never content.

A zebra is a zebra is a zebra.

It does not appear to ever consciously seek out new ecological niches to fill.

It does not appear to consciously develop itself in order to move into a different environment.

For the most part, it stays within the niche it evolved into.

It may, on rare occasion, mutate to fit a new niche, but it does not consciously seek to do so.

We, on the other hand, relish the thought of diving to the far depths of the oceans, walking on the moon, and communicating with parallel universes we do not even know exist.

If all living things fill niches, then what is our niche?

It appears our niche may be tied to something other than niches formed within the universe itself.

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Studying a niche created by the universe is one way to understand a living organism.

Studying a living organism is one way of understanding its niche.

Humanity’s constant search for eternity may well be able to tell us something about the limits of the universe itself and what lies beyond.

End

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Tuesday, November 21

What does the conceptual framework of ecological niche imply about the universe within which we live? Part I of II

by Daniel J. Shepard on Tue 21 Nov 2006 02:10 AM EST

What does the conceptual framework of ecological niche imply about the universe within which we live?

Part I of II

“An organism’s niche is defined by the types of food it consumes, its predators, temperature, tolerances, etc.”

As we examine living organisms, it would appear that living organisms fill niches developed within the universe.

By studying the niche, we can begin to understand the organism.

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Most animals evolve in order to fit into an ecological niche located within the universe.

Humanity, on the other hand, seems to have used ecological niches to sustain itself while it evolved into what it is.

We did not evolve into a niche and then stagnate there.

We moved on with our development in order to continue to higher levels of development.

Each level brings us more knowledge about the universe.

Each level brings us a greater appreciation for the value of the individual.

Each level whets our appetite for the next level of development.

We are never satisfied with the level we have mastered.

To be continued: Part II of II: We are continually in the process of...

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Saturday, November 18

So, what's the point

by Daniel J. Shepard on Sat 18 Nov 2006 12:11 AM EST

Does it really matter?

55 years of thinking metaphysically

15 years of writing metaphysically

2 years of blogging metaphysically

$250,000 invested in metaphysics

Endless meetings in the void

The result? The fully developed synthesis to the thesis – Aristotle’s Cartesianism and the antithesis - Kant’s & Hegel’s non-Cartesianism.

Does anyone care?

The result? Understanding the existence of non-existence/the void both in terms of its existence and function.

Does anyone care?

The result? The understanding that all individuals are Divine in nature and due the respect given The Divine Itself.

Does anyone care?

No one seems interested.

Philosophers have no interest.

Theists have no interest.

Cosmologists have no interest.

Two of four sites now closed

Two remaining

Perhaps its time to close a third – the blog

And so it seems it takes a can of coke and a double shot of rum to open my eyes.

I confess: I am inadequate to the task but…

Does it really matter?

Does anyone care?

I think not.

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