Grand Paradigms

How do you see your place in the world?

Classical Paradigm

• Humans are at the Centre of the Universe

• Humans were placed there by God(s)

• Human purpose is to worship God(s)

• Religion is the path to Truth

Classical Paradigm

When beggars die there are no comments seen, but the heavens themselves blaze forth the death of princes.

William Shakespeare(Julius Caesar, act II, scene ii)

Modern Paradigm

• Humans are rationally superior to all things• Reason is a gift of God• Human purpose is to investigate the Universe• Science is the path to Truth.

Modern Paradigm

What a piece of work is a man! how noble in reason! how infinite in faculty! in form and moving how express and admirable! in action how like an angel! in apprehension how like a god! the beauty of the world! the paragon of animals! And yet, to me, what is this quintessence of dust?

William Shakespeare(Hamlet, act II scene ii))

See the Known Universe video

Watch Toy Story

Post-modern Paradigm

• Humans are random evolutionary accidents; humankind is one of a billion biological species

• There is no God• There is no purpose to life• There is no path to Truth

A post post-modern paradigm?

A new different paradigm?

Or an older paradigm reborn?