/sci/ - Science & Math

[Anonymous No.10957656]

Are we objectively speaking the equivalent of just slightly larger bacteria? I don't mean that to indicate a level of disgust for the human condition, but just how I guess small and unaware of the greater universe we actually are, yet our instincts tell us to keep moving forward like germs.

Is consciousness real or just an illusion and we're really as pathetic and mindless as the bacteria we watch? Are there greater beings observing us from a microscope right now?

[Anonymous No.10957663]

>>10957656
All pointless nonsense. Bacteria are cute.

[Anonymous No.10957682]

>>10957656
I've been thinking about something similar. And I came to the conclusion that all this isn't pointless ONLY IF in the distant, distant future we are somehow able to control the universe and thus our fate in it. Since this seems like such a remote possibility, most of the time I feel pretty pessimistic, even fatalistic about our species. We are indeed slightly more aware bacteria in this scenario. We'll live for a time, as they do, and will inevitably perish, as they will, and there is nothing we can really do about. (And also, why not just kill yourself now, if this is the case. Nothing anyone does will make any difference.) But I also harbor a faint glimmer of hope. Maybe just maybe we have just enough intelligence for this to go somewhere many millennia from now. If we survive that long and dodge all the other bullets in the mean time. I guess you could say this is a kind of faith. In the face of an almost complete lack of information about what the future may hold, all you can really do to keep going is to have faith that your efforts will not be for naught.

[Anonymous No.10957709]

>>10957656
>>10957682

You're both gigantic retards.

Stop worrying about having a purpose and just enjoy life.

[Anonymous No.10957738]

>>10957709
That ship has sailed a long time ago...

[Anonymous No.10957743]

>>10957709
I had a bad weed trip a few weeks ago where I thought up this thread topic. It really disturbed me and I sometimes slip into viewing other people and myself as mindless bacteria. I guess I just wanted to see if anyone here could provide some sort of reassurance that might prevent my slip into psychosis.

[Anonymous No.10957756]

>>10957743
Sometimes being more in touch with what you really are is not a good thing.

[Anonymous No.10957759]

>>10957756
I do I get this shit out of my head though.

[Anonymous No.10957760]

>>10957656
>Is consciousness real or just an illusion
Go away Dennett

[Anonymous No.10957761]

>>10957759
*how do i

[Anonymous No.10957763]

>>10957759
with this
>>10957760
while most of our impulses are automatic like those of bacteria, consciousness is probably the one thing that remains. though it's not free, it's at least probably not an illusion

[Anonymous No.10957765]

>>10957743
>There is no way of defining the point at which we reach consciousness. Humans themselves exist at cognitive states ranging from vegetative to genius. In the same respect, there are plenty of animals more "conscious" than humans

>People like to believe that love and altruism are magical things that are immutable and inherent to humans, but animals demonstrate them as well. Consider that inherently, all natural sources of love and altruism have a biological reason. Nothing is ever done without expecting some kind of self-benefit, whether it's propagating the genes of relatives, receiving love in return, or having your progeny survive. Consider that if you were not raised by your parents, you'd have no reason to love them, and if they did not birth you or have parental instincts, they'd have no reason to love you. We like to believe falling in love is a magical spark between people, but it's just instincts setting off a transaction, trading reproduction, stability, entertainment, and security.

>You are not a constant, you exist only as an image in time. Your body is completely replaced atom-by-atom every 14 years or so, as your cells age and die. Your memories and personality are constantly changing as well. In a sense, you, and your younger self are nearly as different people as two identical twins. Numerous atoms that have left your body have already become new life, yet you are not able to perceive from their perspective. When you die, there is no reason to believe your consciousness would ever follow the atoms of your body.

And as always, thanks for watching.

[Anonymous No.10957783]

>>10957765

[Anonymous No.10957795]

>>10957759
>>10957682
Like I already said here, unfortunately you must rely on some kind of faith or hope for the future. Nothing information-based will save you, as there is simply not enough hard evidence in the world to tell us whether life is worth living. This doesn't have to be an Abrahamic religion. Your faith could be your own construction. But you really do have to have faith in something, anything in order to go on living. Otherwise, though you're still alive, you're literally a dead man walking. Read Tolstoy's A Confession. It really goes in depth into this, and he makes a compelling argument. I highly recommend it.

[Anonymous No.10957803]

>>10957743

That's just as bad as saying everyone and everything is just a bunch of quarks and protons. It's just a really retarded way of looking at life.

Are we just "mindless" bacteria, driven by non-sensical instincts such as seeking purpose, love, enjoying good food, taking a big dump? All the evidence says yes. But realize this, everything is "mindless", and it's neither a bad or a good thing. It just is, because it has to be. You can keep trying to philosophize about the why and how it all happened but just like everyone else who has tried before you, you'll fail and reach a dead end.

At the end of the day, all you know is that you've been put on this Earth, you're given a life to live. You can either try to enjoy it, or you can kill yourself. And if you do kill yourself, the grass might not even be greener on the other side. So yeah, maybe just rest your mind and enjoy life, yeah?

[Anonymous No.10957817]

>>10957803
>the grass might not even be greener on the other side

aye there's the rub

To be, or not to be, that is the question:
Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune,
Or to take Arms against a Sea of troubles,
And by opposing end them: to die, to sleep
No more; and by a sleep, to say we end
The heart-ache, and the thousand natural shocks
That Flesh is heir to? 'Tis a consummation
Devoutly to be wished. To die, to sleep,
perchance to Dream; aye, there's the rub,
For in that sleep of death, what dreams may come,
When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
Must give us pause.

>For in that sleep of death, what dreams may come,
>When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,
>Must give us pause.

[Anonymous No.10957823]

>>10957817
what like when you fart

[Anonymous No.10957831]

>>10957663
amen brother

[Anonymous No.10957862]

>>10957803
>>10957817
>>10957795
>>10957765
>>10957760
>>10957763
Kinda gay and cringe but made me feel a bit better, so thanks anons. At least I'm pretty sure my consciousness isn't just an illusion now. And going on with these perspectives is pretty purposeless. Hopefully with the semester starting I can find a temporary purpose for living in my grades.