Fate and Destiny: a philosophy thread

[Alex]

I'd venture to guess that those that are perfectly happy with an Atheistic view are also happy with a world that simply is, with only the observable laws of nature as we understand them to govern it.

I wouldn't say that I'm happy with the way the universe is, just accepting of the fact that wishing the universe and life have purpose doesn't give it one. But a lot of people say that to me, don't I find it depressing to think that the universe just is what it is. That we are incapable of making things better. That things will get worse or better (as we perceive worse and better) due to essentially random interactions of physical laws? I don't know how to respond, because it really doesn't bother me. It doesn't make me happy but it doesn't depress me either.


I am also accepting of the fact that not everything is knowable. It may be that one day we'll understand all the physical laws and properties of the universe. It may be that the human brain is physically incapable of comprehending certain things that would be necessary for such understanding. I just don't deify that which isn't or can't be known.

I see a lot of "I believe this because I would prefer it be true" in people's faiths and I must admit it confuses me. I'm not saying you have to justify it (at least not in this thread; when people insist on real world results from of their faith and worship then I do tend to request supporting evidence), just that I can't fathom it. Lani is this way. She believes in an afterlife. Ask her why and she'll say something along the lines of "because I like the idea of it" or "because I don't like the thought that we just stop." She's not religious, just hopeful.