Does The Universe Need Me?. Raphael Dorsainvil
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to the universe⎯then what? If people have to merely exist, seemingly, human existence is reduced to occupying space,but why would the universe need humans to occupy space? If one views the universe mechanistically, then being needed by the universe as a mere physical occupant, may not induce disconsolation. On the other hand, if one views the universe as imbued with meaning, then being needed by the universe as a physical occupant may indeed induce disconsolation. A universe imbued with meaning, suggests that life is significant, and that there is a purpose for existence. Individuals in a meaningful universe, may feel their lives have purpose, and things happen for a reason. Furthermore, these individuals would prefer being needed by the universe based on a quality about them that they feel is commendable. The universe may need them for being praiseworthy mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, and bankers.
For example, those who feel their purpose is to be a good banker, may feel this way⎯on account of achieving a laudable skill level in this vocation. The appreciation they feel by others may then be projected onto the universe. Simply, others appreciate them, therefore the universe also appreciates them. Although appreciation by others may not be an indicator of universal need, emotionally, when people are appreciated they tend to feel needed. If one is appreciated, it is unlikely that one does not feel needed. As for those who harbor a mechanistic perception of the universe, meaning is not a property of the universe. Laws govern the universe, and if these laws deem that human beings are a mere collection of molecules subject to a multitude of complex laws⎯then so be it.
The universe is lawful in its relationship with humans. Human beings are a system of molecules, interacting with other molecules, and universal need may not be factor. Humans may or may not be indispensable in the functions of the universe, if function is an aspect of the universe at all.
Function implies the universe has purpose. Purpose implies the universe may be imbued with meaning. Meaning is not a factor in the workings of the universe, according to the mechanistic perception. Presumably, most humans do not perceive themselves as a causal system of molecules, thus rendering the mechanistic perspective strange and unpopular. Universal need solely on the basis of existence may also be strange and unpopular, because human beings are needed to simply exist as physical occupants.
Chapter 2
Self-assessment and Universal Need
One might argue, it is clearly obvious that mere existence does not require a human being’s moral disposition to bear in the plans of the universe. One might argue further, such a description of human use by the universe is cheap and unsophisticated. By answering, “Yes the universe needs me because I exist,“ the person means that, “The universe needs me because I feel that I have some measure of importance or goodness; I exist for a reason, not simply to occupy space.”
Seemingly, most people do not subscribe to the notion of being mere physical instruments subject to the volition of the universe. It seems people believe there is a measure of purpose to their life either grand or mundane.
Stating, “The universe needs me because I feel that I have some measure of importance or goodness,” implies the universe only needs those who feel that they are good people. If this is the case, then those who are categorically immoral may claim that the universe needs them because they also feel that have some measure of importance or goodness. Suppose there is a political leader(Leader-y) who aims to vanquish corruption in the world. With the definition of corruption encompassing those who do not abstain from the use of technology, purifying the adulterated human from technological contamination becomes the core belief driving legislation. People are required to abandon a relatively comfortable life of electricity and automobiles in lieu of sun and horses. In seeking to vigorously purify human beings, puritanical obedience is required with torture and death as the consequence for minor infractions. Leader-y genuinely believes human beings will live happier lives without technology, so toleration of minor infractions is impermissible. Human happiness is too important, and without draconian enforcement human happiness may not be obtained.
Under this draconian system, medical technology has been banned, resulting in the death of thousands, but Leader-y is not deterred. Ultimately he believes human beings will be happy, and deaths are transient inconveniences to withstand on route to agrarian happiness. As the mortality rate increases exponentially, Leader-y fortifies his belief further by asserting, “No great deed is ever achieved without great sacrifice.” Although Leader-y may be described as oppressive, his self-perception is one of importance, because he feels he became a political leader specifically for the purpose of liberating human beings from technology. Leader-y firmly believes his intentions are good regardless of how many people die. The death of many is justified as long as technology is eradicated in the realization of happiness. So if Leader-y feels he is of some importance and of some good, then the universe needs him albeit of mass death. So how can the universe need such a person? If the prerequisite for universal need were for people to feel they are of some good or importance, then the universe would need Leader-y.
The pronounced point is the feeling of goodness and or importance indicating universal need. Merely existing will not suffice, but existing and feeling a measure of importance or goodness will suffice in meeting the requirements for universal need. Universal need from the standpoint of goodness or importance indicates, a tyrant such has Hitler who labored to establish a pure race to rule the world would be needed by the universe because he felt some measure of goodness and importance. If universal need is to be based on feelings of goodness or importance, then the moral mind may have to tolerate⎯there are plenty of immoral people who may feel a measure of goodness or importance.
If someone were to indeed answer the question of universal need in such a manner, what level of goodness and or importance would one have to feel to suffice the prerequisites of universal need? If someone feels only a minor level of goodness or importance, what would be the nature of universal need? If someone feels a “little” goodness or importance, then the universe would only need that person a “little.” In contrast, if someone feels very good or important, then the universe would need that person very much. Furthermore, if someone feels a moderate level of goodness or importance, then the universe would need that person moderately. Human emotion is rather complex. People may not feel a steady level of goodness or importance during their day. Human emotion changes throughout the course of a day. Thoughts and incidents alter mood and self-perception. A person who feels very good and important in the morning may not feel very good and important in the afternoon.
Proportionately, this indicates the universe may need someone in the morning and may not need someone in the afternoon. Universal need would not be static, but relative. Universal need would seemingly behave in accordance to the various degrees of emotional intensity.
So If universal need were based on anger, then one would be needed based the intensity of one’s anger. Low intensity anger would signify the universe only needs this person minutely. High intensity anger would signify the universe needs this person intensely, but if the universe needed anger alone, the intensity of anger would not be pertinent.
If universal need is potentially understood in terms of proportion in relation to importance and goodness, then defining universal need in this context is in order. How is universal need understood in terms of low, moderate, or high degrees of goodness and or importance? Ascertaining the levels of importance and or goodness from a human perspective is obtainable, but understanding universal need in relation to feelings of importance and goodness is rather arduous.
Subjectively, humans are capacitated to measure feelings such as goodness and importance. One can describe feelings of importance and goodness in degrees trough inner senses. People sense when feelings are intense, subtle, or mild, and they can inform you by saying, “ I feel great” or “ I feel ok” or “ I’m not doing so good.” Empathy allows other humans a relational understanding of such terms on the basis of experiencing similar feelings. We can have an approximate understanding how others are feeling, and thus measure to an extent, if other people’s feelings are intense, subtle, or mild.
While witnessing someone committing an act of kindness, we can have an empathic understand of how good the person must feel, because we ourselves may have committed acts of kindness, which resulted in feelings of goodness. Also, people