One Outta Three Ain't Bad
The “great questions” that unite Science, Philosophy and Art have always been:
Who are we?
Where did we come from?
What is our purpose? ( or Where do we fit into the grand scheme of things?)
All three questions are greatly influence by all three areas of study, however I feel like each question primarily “belongs” to one particular discipline.
“Who are we?” This is open to interpretation. It’s about personal expression, and cultural expression as a species. Given our biological and cultural evolution, this question could very well be “Who am I?” There is a certain philosophical aspect here, however this seems to fall primarily into the realm of art and creativity, and may be the most difficult (and personal) to answer of the three.
“What is our purpose?” This question also seems to be somewhat open to interpretation, but in a more intellectual and analytical manner. It involves spirituality and an open mind. History and continued research are crucial, along with the ability to accept new ideas and evolve theories as new data becomes available. While there is a significant level of creativity involved, and a strong base in technology and research is required, an analytical mind with the ability to run wild is the key here. I believe Philosophy lends itself well to answering this question, and the answer may be the simplest possible - We have no great purpose or plan, the universe is random, and that in and of itself is a purpose.
“Where did we come from?” Has anyone else noticed that Science has gone ahead and answered this for us? At this point there is no question (in my mind) where we came from. Some of the details may be a bit fuzzy, and it’s possible some of the theories are slightly off, but it is undeniable that over the last 500 years Science has provided concrete evidence to support all the major steps leading up to our existence. From the beginning of the universe, to the events that lead to life on earth, to our own evolution as a species. It is not surprising this is the first of these questions to be answered, as it is somewhat of a pre-requisite for the others.
All three questions are intertwined and each marks a major turning point in our evolution as a species. Now that we know where we came from, we can begin exploring the next two questions. As we begin to explore the universe the potential exists to find new life, which could greatly affect how we view ourselves and our existence. Once we can begin to grasp our purpose here, we can really start to examine who we are. In the meantime, science, society and culture continue to progress, [hopefully] moving toward a more united and evolved humankind.
