Samwise Gamgee

1

How did the Universe begin?

Purely a question for physicists.

May 11, 2020
2

What is the Universe made of?

Purely a question for physicists.

May 11, 2020
3

What is the origin of good?

Goodness on it's own is probably just Aristotelian fulfilment of specific needs. Things are good when they work as intended. Charity and self-lessness and love are more loaded.

May 11, 2020
4

What is the origin of evil?

Evil is conscious harm caused by a sentient being on any creature that can feel pain. Indirectly also (if for example one were to destroy something that another being cherishes).

May 11, 2020
5

Is there free will?

Not really, although the illusion of it may be essential. We don't think our thoughts before we think them. They simply spring into being.

May 11, 2020
6

What is the nature of the mind?

Mostly a question for neuroscientists. From a subjective experience point of view, we have to do a lot of work to be able to look at our minds. It's very hard.

May 11, 2020
7

How do you find happiness?

Happiness is at least partly being in the present moment and not weighed down by unnecessary worry. Contentment must be with the past and that's tougher.

May 11, 2020
8

How do you find truth?

There may be no universal societal/ethical truths. There may be physical truth, but whether that can inform the sensibilities of sentient beings is hard to tell.

May 11, 2020
9

What is the meaning of life?

An examined life in the pursuit of happiness. Connecting with every experience in the present moment.

May 11, 2020
10

What is the role of evolution?

Evolution adapts species to their environment. There may be moral/societal evolution also.

May 11, 2020
11

What happens after death?

I see no reason to imagine that our biology allows for a life after death. It's maddening, but until we discover some magical disconnect of our conscience from our biology, it is what it is.

May 11, 2020
12

Who or what is God?

I see no reason to suspect there is a watchful God or even a creator God of any kind. It may be impossible to disprove it, but so is the possibility of a teapot orbiting Saturn.

May 11, 2020
13

What is going to happen to humankind?

We must hope that we will learn to hop from planet to planet and from one star system to another, or our history will be wiped out from the universe in the destruction of our sun.

May 11, 2020
14

What question is missing?

Why have children? What is love? Could we travel through time? Would you use a teleportation machine?

May 11, 2020