Could you forgive someone who shot you?

[Alex]

Honestly? I'm perplexed as to why the nature of the universe need make me happy, or appeal to me. Why do I believe that gravity is a result of distortion in spacetime caused by matter rather than that matter was once a single throbbing mass of passion and that it yearns to be together again? Is which one makes me happiest supposed to play a role in which one I think is correct? It seems strangely egotistical to assume that universe is structured around my desires. Especially since different people have different desires.

Does a lack of free will absolve me (and everybody else) of responsibility? Technically, yes. But then we're wired to perceive responsibility into everything and I have no problem with putting someone in prison because they molested a child or considering someone distasteful for sitting around all day doing nothing and complaining about being fat. Again, in our universe as it stands there is no experimental way to differentiate free will from simple mechanics. Did the guy molest and I condemn because we both chose to do so or because mechanics produced both? Either way the result is the same.

But having this view of the universe doesn't make me any happier than does the idea that at standard temperature and pressure a mole of gas will occupy a volume of 22.4 liters. Factual content is removed from personal satisfaction.

I'm generally a very happy, content person. I suspect that ultimately this is just an accident of brain chemistry but I have no problem going along with it.