Thursday, June 7, 2012

The Scientific Discovery of the origin and meaning of humanity

Where do we come from? What are we? Where are we going?

These are the central problems of religion and philosophy.

The Creation Myth is a Darwinian device for survival.

Mythmaking by itself could never discover the origin and meaning of humanity. But the reverse is possible: The discovery of the origin and meaning of humanity might explain the origin and meaning of myths, hence the core of organized religion.

Consciousness, having evolved over millions of years, was not designed for self-exermination. It was designed for survival and reproduction.

What science promises, and has already delivered in part, is the following: There is a real creation story of humanity, and one only, and it is not a myth. It is being worked out and tested, and enriched and strengthened, step by step.

(Edward O. Wilson, The Social Conquest of Earth)

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