Purpose of Existence 1

What is the Purpose of Existence?

• Implied Questions– What does one know is true?– What does it mean to exist?– Do humans have free will?– Does God exist?

Purpose of Existence 2

What Does One Know is True?

• No Eternal Truth• Four Ways to Determine Validity– Necessary Truth– Contingent Truth– A Priori Truth– A Posteriori Truth

Purpose of Existence 3

What Does it Mean to Exist?

• Matter and Form• Physical and Mental (Nonphysical)• Materialism (Only Physical Exists)• Contemporary Science – Atoms, molecules, and cells – Prove nonphysical exists

Purpose of Existence 4

Do Humans Have Free Will?

• Atomists– Atoms underlie reality– Atoms governed by physical law– Atoms compose human body

• Misconception– Absolute free will– Physical laws completely control atoms

Purpose of Existence 5

Does God Exist?

• A Priori Truth– Nonexistence always precedes existence

• Big Bang Theory (Universe Created)• A Priori Truth– Created requires creator

• Religions’ Biased Male Influence• Re-Conceptualizing God’s Will

Purpose of Existence 6

Examining Human History

• Unique Reasoning Ability• Superior Species• Oppression of Inferior• Develop Technology• Offset Past Oppression

Purpose of Existence 7

Unique Reasoning Ability

• Darwin’s Support• Primitive Reasoning Ability• Lust to Know More• Lust Became Greed• Greed Grew Selfishness

Purpose of Existence 8

Superior Species

• Creating Weapons, Fire, and Clothing• Increased Survival in Groups• Increased Fearlessness• Developed Arrogance• Superiority Spread Within Species– Ignorantly cause human suffering

Purpose of Existence 9

Oppression of Inferior

• Use of Religion• Women• Slaves• Indigenous People• Colonization– Bad karma from injustice

Purpose of Existence 10

Develop Technology

• Increase Communication• Increase Knowledge• Increase Productivity• Defy Law of Nature– Not only the strong survive– Disease, famine, and poverty

Purpose of Existence 11

Offset Oppression

• Reasoning Ability Evolved• Developed Morals and Values– Good/bad and wrong/right

• Feminist Movement• African American President– Symbol of justice and equality

Purpose of Existence 12

Philosophy of Human Destiny

• Be Endowed with Primitive Reasoning• Shape Human Superiority• Oppress the Other (Bad Karma)• Ignorantly Sire Human Suffering• Remedy Suffering with Technology

Purpose of Existence 13

Human Destiny (Cont’d.)

• Defy Law of Nature• Fulfill Reasoning Capabilities• Adapt Morals and Values• Offset Oppression of Other (Good Karma)• Unravel Virtuous Existence

Purpose of Existence 14

Reference

• Moore, B. N. & Bruder, K. (2008). Philosophy: The power of

ideas (7th ed.). Boston: McGraw-Hill.