Mindscape 100 | Solo: Life and Its Meaning

Blog post with audio player, show notes, and transcript: www.preposterousuniverse.com/...
Patreon: / seanmcarroll
Mindscape Podcast playlist: • Mindscape Podcast
A podcast only hits the century mark once! And for Mindscape, this is it. There have been holiday messages and bonus episodes and the like. But this is the 100th officially-numbered episode. To celebrate, I decided to treat myself to a solo episode in which I reflect, somewhat non-systematically, on the age-old question of the meaning of life. I end up spending a lot (most?) of the time talking about the meaning of “life,” i.e. what it means to be a living organism in a naturalistic universe. But then I go on to muse about the construction of human meaning in a world where values are not imposed on us or objectively grounded in physical facts.
I think life does have meaning, and it’s important to understand what forms it might take. I settle largely on the idea that humans can conceive of different possible futures, assign value to them, and work against the natural order of things to create something that otherwise would not have been. This is far from the final word, even in my own mind; it’s an invitation to think and converse in a reasonable way about some of the biggest questions there are. Just like the podcast in general.
#podcast #ideas #science #philosophy #culture

[@davidbridgewater8588]

Sean actually said, There's only one world". I'm still reeling.

[@mrsbrdvd6955]

Out of breath.hahahahhaa

[@mrloop1530]

Well, at any given time we have access to only one world.

[@Vlasko60]

Does anyone have credible evidence of more than one world?

[@ameremortal]

This is the best thing you’ve done. We need big picture ideas to keep us growing.

[@14shubi]

Many congratulations Sean. Highly appreciate your talks.

[@sriharsha5036]

I was listening to this on the boat ride from Athens to Mykonos. Thanks for making these episodes Sean.

[@sangs9778]

You're a good soul Sean. I've learned a lot from you. Thank You!

[@michaeljmorrison5757]

Thank you for this; Australians need to listen to this too!

[@jbert9695]

Congratulations on the 100th episode! I appreciate all of them

[@akumar7366]

Love the topic, will be lisenting multiple times, this is awe inspiring.

[@rc5989]

Having listened to Sean Carroll discuss this topic several times, imho Dr. Carroll has improved greatly at communicating his views. This is a great solo episode of Mindscape!

[@vjnt1star]

I was thinking exactly that espcially for the part about constructed morality. Time for him to go debate theists who think that objective morality is a thing

[@ferociousmullet9287]

I can feel the existential crisis rising just from the title.

[@AdamTait-hy2qh]

@Astute Cingulus How inspiring....

[@ghoulunathics]

dont worry my human brother or sister - you can never know if theres any meaning independent of our own personal emotions and desires - you will create your own personal meaning when you realize the immeasurable value of you being here now; you now, rather than just somebody controlling your body somewhere some time. and its f-u-c-k-i-n-g best thing ever.

[@karlosdaniel6537]

@@ghoulunathics I like the idea that the meaning of life is to find your own meaning and sense of life.

[@GGoAwayy]

I loved hearing this topic discussed finally by someone whose worldview I share. People all require meaning in their lives. Sometimes we run out of meaning. I think this is why religions have hung around so long, because it provides meaning even if you have nothing else. But its better to do the work of creating meaningful relationships, experiences, feelings etc in your life on your own. The meaning you create for yourself is always going to be richer than the meaning someone else makes and hands over to you.

[@alexcherfan7762]

Love this episode Sean. I would say I'm an optimistic nihilist, living in a time full of paradoxes, so not unique. Thanks for all the awesome videos lately. Interested to hear your thoughts on free will!

[@Toocrash]

Hi Sean('s public), congrats! Thank you for trying to convey your light, it's a lot of time and effort! A Nigerian proverb, found on Tiktok: A child that does not feel the warmth of a village, will burn the village, to feel the warmth of the fire. About 90% of the serotonin in the body, is of microbial origin. Healthy food makes us happier. An anxiety attack can be stopped by biting in a lemon, have them on hand.

[@neillioen]

Really like that proverb.

[@Toocrash]

@@neillioenfrom gunnshy357 @ ~3.5 k likes

[@psycronizer]

isn't tiktok a Chinese thing ? burn it...

[@Toocrash]

@@psycronizer hi, yeah it has access to mic and cam, amongst other, which can be blocked with apps, essentially it's a app to spy, but man it has perks, i saw Wuhan before the press got through, knew was was going to hit, got updated on what the virus is, and found all sorts of helpful information, how to deal with the psychological side of lockdown, amongst other things. But you're right.. Hope this will do for a burn, peace.

[@marcelotemer]

Very good episode, thanks Mr. Carroll.

[@deeptochatterjee532]

Damn, I've been driving myself to sadness thinking about this for the last month. I'm glad to see I'm not the only one thinking about this

[@flamingphoenix824]

Seven years and counting...

[@czerskip]

Hearing how brilliant conscious beings figure out the world around us is the purpose of my life.

[@protoword10]

It’s interesting to hear your reflection on life and other aspects of it. As I respect very much your opinions, also I admire your attitude toward things...Great talk!

[@jithunniks]

Thank you for these podcasts

[@esperancaemisterio]

Wow! That's an amazing subject! Thanks for sharing Dr. Sean! =)

[@kennethbosch9]

crikey, first minute and am like this is why I love sean carroll, truly amazing

[@marquac]

Congratulations on hitting episode 100.

[@sriharsha5036]

Beautiful episode

[@pb4520]

loved this !

[@brettcameratraveler]

I'm happy and have a sense of peace with being guided that the meaning of human life is to experience and share Love - love yourself, love others, and to find parts of the World you love. You treat someone well not because you want to get something in return for it (ie. heaven). You do it because you are both people struggling and loving, living in this World. You make important choices by asking yourself, is the next thing I say or do motived mostly by love or some form of insecurity/fear? Do these things and it's a self righting system that will lead you to peace and purpose. It sounds simple - but that doesn't mean it isn't right.

[@wrongtimeweeder1076]

That "torch" analogy keeps making my brain explode... over, and over again.

[@maksymaleksandrowicz3125]

Great episode! Thanks you

[@johnelwood5049]

A wonderfully powerful podcast. Thank you Sean!

[@psycronizer]

hmm..only for the reasonably uneducated....

[@GeezerBoy65]

@@psycronizer Pot kettle black Dunning-Kruger..And your supports for such a claim?

[@psycronizer]

ha ! had to go back and listen to it to understand my answer from a year ago. Now it is all clear. Are you ready ? BECAUSE IT'S ALL SO BLOODY OBVIOUS !! Even Carol himself says that he's not an expert and just has an opinion. See, here's my position, there are far far too many people on YT who just talk talk talk but actually offer NOTHING that is not self evident and I get extremely bored and frustrated listening to crap I already know, it's like I can predict EXACTLY what he or they are going to say next, ultimately for them it's just an easy way to generate income but really it offers nothing to those of us with a wide education. You want another really good example, go listen to that fat snack eating Isaac Arthur, he's another one who babbles mediocre opinion oriented content, much of which is just his own reasoning and NOT fact, and I know a shit load more than him and I certainly do not agree with many of his conclusions at all, but the uneducated might, and apparently do ! And that is why I said what I said. YT is not beholden to any scholastic level of veracity so any idiot can come along and say whatever they like, which is why we have the brilliant with the absolute mediocre. Don't get me wrong, there are content creators here on YT who are worth listening to, ones who actually TEACH, but for me, the bar is pretty high.

[@dustinking2965]

"Bacteria don't have a meaning of life." [several microbiologists are typing...]

[@celienepaul5378]

So appropriate. Agree we don't come with an attached purpose. Think we are given via cosmic emergence, in every moment, opportunities to respond in a variety of ways. Up to us to respond in any way we choose; with purpose, fear, kindness etc. & that will define us. Tq Sean for responding wholeheartedly by sharing via your inspiring podcasts

[@JuliusMilton]

Great Video.

[@rearview2360]

Congratulations

[@topredtv3275]

I'd have been lost these past two months without this podcast and the world science festival's daily equations!!! Thanku for taking the time to create this wonderful content, many thanks from Ireland ☘️🇮🇪

[@superchicken9033]

TDIL WSF does daily equations ty. Also love this podcast and his Biggest Ideas series

[@anlisa2231]

The rest of the world looks in disbelief and horror as "America becomes great again"!!! Thank goodness for some voices of reason and sanity - I'm so enjoying your work Sean. Greetings from South Africa and thank you!!!

[@nicodemosvarnava2520]

I think you are describing the same philosophy that Douglas Hofstader has conveyed in his books "Godel, Esher Back" and " I am a strange loop"! You should bring him to the podcast and talk about strange loops and consiousness!

[@jonathanbyrdmusic]

I actually do think about my purpose as the way I am being used, or possibly the way that I can be used. Although I am a physicalist and a non-religious person, it is helpful for me to think about “the purpose that God has for me.“ It’s a functional visualization that helps me think about how I am serving the rest of humanity by enriching their lives with my art, and teaching others likewise how to make good art. I suppose in this case “good” means “purposeful.”

[@andresdubon2608]

I couldn't care less about the situation on the US, but men, I will hear almost anything Sean wants to sell me. He has gave me so much that the "useless information" is acceptable.

[@MattOGormanSmith]

"Most people would say no" easy to assume from your ivory tower :) A slightly different analogy is to imagine a cow full of delicious meat.

[@geniegogo]

movies on Tuesdays with friends (it's a participatory communion with the arts, mostly art of writing in my option but many will say the art of actors and director, maybe cinematography, costumes etc.) An example is the movie Midsommar ... or the lesser seen The Lighthouse. You can look these up on youtube and you'll find people attribute meaning to them. Just actual examples of challenging films. (Yes moviegoing is on pause for a while).

[@MarceloDiCocco]

Everybody wants to make a better world. Everybody seeks meaning in this life.... The problem is, fewer would agree on what "better world" and "meaningful life" really implies, and most of those who actively use those terms, have an hegemonic view and try to impose their version on the rest, instead of accepting and allowing the many different views on the subject that work for different fellow humans.

[@timhawker6680]

Thx

[@JamesNeilMeece]

Hi Sean, I once thought "Perhaps the meaning of Life is to overcome Entropy". Any thoughts on that? Like maybe we can't stop it (or can we?) but I am sure we can at least slow it down. Just a philosophical thought I had a while back and this podcast brought it back to my mind. Keep up the good work sir!

[@chemquests]

Physics indicates life increases the rate of entropy

[@JamesNeilMeece]

@@chemquests I thought I replied to this, but maybe I didn't. What I mean was more like "Conscious life", not just life in general. Fair point on your part.

[@deborahansari2760]

Great episode... can you get Wolfram on?

[@vincentmilot7849]

Piggybacking on a past or future mindscape podcast of yours criticizing utilitarian goals, a question arises as to scientists' strength of committment to global, humane efforts vs. local, ethnic, stratifying endeavors. I am thinking of Wernher von Braun and the currency of science in economies that protect contributors to tech and scientific information over their earlier involvement in crimes against humanity. I'd appreciate a podcast addressing this matter.

[@platypuss1410]

Sean, I think you need to read The Moral Landscape again. That is all.

[@OBGynKenobi]

Should the question really be: What is the purpose of life? Is life an emergent property of the universe? If there is nothing to sense and experience a universe, does that universe really exist? Ie, what is the purpose of a universe that cannot be experienced?

[@pb4520]

it is a question which answers itself maybe? How could there be any idea whatsoever of "value" or "meaning" if there wasnt........you get the idea

[@AmiyaSarkar]

Just today I was lamenting on Twitter that my pursuing of computer programming language was drawing me away from the wonderful lectures of Sean Carroll. Lo and behold, I got him! The disposition was par excellence. I enjoyed it. Meanwhile, I used to write a blog where I also dealt with this abstruse matter. Sean's equivalence of the single neutron in the nematode C. elegans, has its counterpart in humans too, e.g. the Jennifer Aniston neuron. Like you said, the planarians are apparently immortal. Now, the most boring part. The URL of my blog article: physiology-physics.blogspot.com/2018/03/life-after-death-journey-into-unknown.html?m=1

[@moritzbaur254]

Question: If emergence is a phenomenon based on Missing knowledge about all of the states of a system, couldnt it be argued that Quantum physics is yet Just another emergent phenomenon based on missing knowledge about the very Nature of Things? And isn't it that emergent phenomenon themselves influence their own Nature (and their Environment) by the variety and complexity of possible Interactions they are consisting of?

[@bgoggin88]

Sean "Daniel Dennett" Carroll

[@hazatack]

Positive feedback loop

[@naimulhaq9626]

How a collection of inanimate objects give rise to life is as undefinable as consciousness, except to define life force as 'soul'. The best a physicist can do is to look for ways that can simulate consciousness or soul. One way may be how the quantum fields can simulate conscious 'observer' that then can collapse the field to create particles, atoms and organic molecules, evolving in a deterministic way to 'life'. This scenario depicts what in our language can be said as 'effect before cause', if we assume no cosmic consciousness and its opposite if we do, same with soul.

[@orionred2489]

I feel personally attacked. My life's ambition has been to have the world's most mediocre ball of twine in my back yard. I was happy until Dr Carroll said this was a silly goal. Now I have to find something new.

[@samdok9828]

How do we arrive at the question "what's the meaning of life"? I did not come up with the question, it was handed to me. If I don't ask the question, does my life have meaning? I say yes. What we seek is the meaning, short or long term, deep or shallow, selfish or unselfish. Self examining what one seeks, and it's effect on others, makes one's meaning of life noble.

[@alexandersumer4295]

I definitely subscribe to Physicalism (in accordance with Daniel Dennett's Real Patterns concept) as an ontological account of reality because it makes by far the most sense to me compared to alternatives. However, I am very deeply conflicted between meta-ethical realism and anti-realism. One the one hand, if every human on Earth believed that needless torture was ok then does that make it ok? So in that sense moral realism makes sense to me because even if all humans agreed that needless torture is ok then it is still somehow not ok regardless of what people think. On the other hand, I can't really rigorously justify why I think this. The majority of philosophers subscribe to moral realism, including Derek Parfit, who is a very big name in morality. I'd like to better understand their perspectives and justifications. However. I agree with you Sean, anti-realism makes the most logical sense but...

[@czerskip]

How do you marry naturalism with making choices?

[@jaidhanki]

Invite SadGuru for a conversation on the meaning!

[@user-un9fx7uw8o]

the purpose of life is to hydrogenate carbon dioxide

[@RandyH524]

The meaning of life is just to exist. The process of life is infinite but life itself is finite. I think the cosmos reflects the same notion. Infinite universe, finite stuff inside infinite universe.

[@PrzemyslawSliwinski]

45:10 - the first fish "realized" that navigating in 2D is simpler than in 3D (at least for randomly walking creatures: mathworld.wolfram.com/PolyasRandomWalkConstants.html), so a part of its brain could become available for other purposes...

[@angellin_2018]

That consciousness is just an emergent phenomenon that is not foundational seems to resonate with many Eastern philosophies...

[@dk6024]

Similarly, we honor those who sacrifice their lives because we expect people to continue to do it.

[@shafikhan7571]

There are many different kinds of exercise for the human body it depends on what one wants to be? a runner, bodybuilding swimmer or something else and that depends on one's goals. muscle-strain grow according to challenge for that need diet discipline and focus as far as I understand that is in a very short time evolution somehow I understand evolution is on-demand and it is then the question is stretching. The minds exercise in a short time that is tough very tough but not impossible

[@naturalisted1714]

On Death: *If* I cease to exist, that will be the same situation it was before my birth. What immediately followed that was my birth. And so the same thing will happen again -> yet another on-slot of a completely new consciousness via a new life-form born somewhere in the universe. It's a simple matter of who exists vs who doesn't. There's only who exists.

[@naturalisted1714]

@@SailboatDiaries yes, and so after death comes a new Self via a completely new organism that has no connection whatsoever to the current Self.

[@naturalisted1714]

@@SailboatDiaries Yes, the concept is completely in line with naturalism. You can read a much more in-depth essay on it on naturalism.org under the Death section. It's called Death Nothingness and Subjectivity. Check it out.

[@antifajesus]

Life Is to survive ,only to survive. Ever since I was a kid, after burning ants with a magnifying glass, I realized that no matter what we do or where we go,we could come to a sudden and totally unexpected end.

[@clayz1]

The real question of course is: why is there anything at all? That is the most basic question about the existence of life. Or the existence of anything at all.

[@Tore_Lund]

I don't think either life is really the big question. Biology is just complex inorganic chemistry, when there is a reliable energy source close by to stir things up until somethings different happens. Indeed, it seems strange that the universe should come out of nothing, but nobody is claiming that. We agree on that there is a point in the past where we can no longer describe what happens, but that does not imply that the universe came from nothing. Multiverses, cyclic universe are attempts. We have a hard time diverting from the notion of causality and something just happening on its own!, it is even a philosophical paradox. It is also quite impossible to define "nothing" without any properties, but "Nothing" can't have properties by definition, otherwise it is something.

[@clayz1]

@@Tore_Lund Not bad. I think you just articulated my thought, only in more detail. I would add that if the universe is forever then something HAS to have happened. But it still implies there was a something to begin with. I agree with this line of thinking but gotta say it comes to me by many a youtube pop physics lecture.

[@Tore_Lund]

@@clayz1 I could also be the limited capacity of the human mind, that things like "nothing", "infinity",in either space or time, just seems like cop-out concepts, on par with religion. #2: I'm not sure I can agree on the forever universe having had a beginning, that is kind of contradictory, unless we decide it was created, by alien nerds, or the old version; gods, so I think we can be quite certain that the observable part had a start, but not excluding the possibility, that the "greater" universe we can not see or theorize about, could work very differently, where eternity and nothing, makes perfect sense? #3: I love YT physics: A question forms in your head, then you find some videos, scout through the comments until you find one which is discussing what is nagging you, and you get a human being on the other end that i capable to give you expert contemplation! thanks.

[@0ooTheMAXXoo0]

If supernatural was real, then it is natural...

[@thoughtscanbedisease4495]

I wanted to win the Nobel prize, turns out im only qualified to make large balls of twine

[@Craznar]

I know what would bring my life meaning - but I don't have the money to do any of them. So I just exist until I don't.

[@Craznar]

@Alpha Centauri Nah - I don't have the prerequisite brain chemistry to be happy. What I would like is to do stuff, anything - but my illness doesn't allow that. The money would be to get help and support to enable me to do stuff.

[@Craznar]

@Alpha Centauri Which point was that, it obviously isn't one you've made in public yet.

[@Craznar]

@Alpha Centauri No - I'm not capable of doing anything due to the disability without external triggers. I don't get to do literally ANYTHING via my own initiation. With money I could afford to hire help to allow me to do just SOMETHING - meaningful or otherwise. That is - there is no journey, and I'm not well enough to partake of one.

[@harshitarora8565]

Good morning(ET) professor, I hope you are fine. I live in India and I want to pursue theoretical physics after high school. Due to lack of research grants I would like to go for universities outside india. Can you please tell me the condition of universities in the US during this pandemic?

[@MM-qw4eo]

Many schools are giving free classes...just look them up online but definitely pursue those dreams need more and more with minds like yours

[@andreyb4142]

Just google it

[@runwiththewind3281]

Meditations, Marcus Aurelius R^2=0.999..

[@jursamaj]

There is no such this as an expert on this topic.

[@clayz1]

Everybody is as expert on this topic as Dr. Carroll is. He is a whole lot better at saying it though. An enjoyable topic.

[@yodajimmy2574]

Meaning of my life: to be everything. Not only any physical entity, but all "_________" possible. I want to be walking in the park, and the guy who does it and the girl who walks with him and the love between them. And I know I can't be that in my life, or ever in time. But i can take steps.

[@chiphill4856]

Yoda Jimmy you are already everything, you just don't realize it

[@yodajimmy2574]

And that is the problem.

[@chiphill4856]

And also the solution.

[@wrongtimeweeder1076]

So we stop being us, but we don't stop being?

[@howtheworldworks3]

I will actually make the world a better place. Once I am done writing my book the world will have to either silence me completely or change for the better.

[@replica1052]

poem

[@replica1052]

in an age where eternal manifest as rockets

[@replica1052]

to master a solar system / mars belongs to life in an infinite universe it makes sense to catch solar wind - pull cables from pole to pole slightly offset for the dynamo effect (the surrection of mars is a resurrection of the human mind)

[@replica1052]

every rocket of the planet every two years as earth-mars shuttles (infinite economy)

[@Pyriold]

@Sean Carrol: Are you aware of the physics project by Stephen Wolfram? It's a new totally ground up fundamental theory of physics, not by a loonie, but by the very intelligent inventor of wolfram alpha who has been doing physics since he was a kid. Look here: www.wolframphysics.org/. Like you he wants to derive time, space, gravitation and everything just from basic principles. I think he would be a terrific interview partner for your podcast.

[@JF-oj5sj]

This seems to be his initial response: twitter.com/seanmcarroll/status/1250105851924246528

[@dionysis_]

Curious to see how you are going to get that out of scientific realism 😄 Now, time to watch 🙃 Edit 1 - 36:00 - the question of the value/meaning of life is not about purposes existing but about purposes being meaningful in the extremes of space and time. If you bound you meaning you are fine but you are not solving the problem. Is it meaningful creating something that gets completely annihilated? Think of the feeling you get when an artefact of a lost civilization is discovered indicating that they actually had some advanced knowledge but it is now lost. That is the sadness of lost meaning due to annihilation. Edit 2 - 55:00 Again, relative meaning breaks down when attempting to build moral structures on. A question of enslaving a bit less than half of humanity and use them as slaves and batteries becomes a question if the system works in the view you are presenting. If that system can be optimised, in your view it would be objectively ok as long we follow a utilitarian logic. If you judge the system afterwords (as you would do cause you seem like a moral person 🙂) you are imposing a value system that you got from somewhere else and thus your grounding breaks down. Also see edit 1 for the bounding issue that is still an issue here. Edit 3 - 01:12:00 Again this idea that there is something to the journey towards what is going to become an annihilated result... it does not solve the problem of value at all and opens up discourse to arguments like antinatalism. Conclusion: so to answer your initial question of the value of life you focused on meaning, even emphasising that it can be personal. The issue connecting this to morality is philosophically unattained at the moment. You then talk about the power of bringing a possibility into existence. Many novel nightmares have been brought into existence by evil people and that is where we, again, need to make a value judgement that you can not through scientific realism and for which physicalism is irrelevant. The important point is that you can not ground the value judgement on any of your chosen philosophical positions and that is the problem you need to solve as their proponent. Or maybe consider alternative writings on the matter even if they don’t feel consonant to your current belief system. No, I don’t mean becoming religious 😛 Thanks for the episode 👍

[@jursamaj]

I'm curious what exactly is this "problem" you keep referring to?

[@dionysis_]

jursamaj the question regarding the meaning of life and the connection of that answer to the value of life and by extension of individual life. Morality needs to be grounded on the answer to these questions or else ones belief system/world view is incoherent. My assessment is that Sean’s belief system is incoherent in regards to morality as long as he is under the impression that in this video he has provided any rational justification for said beliefs. If he accepts that his moral beliefs are not grounded on rationality then they are (non religious) ‘faith’ statements.

[@jursamaj]

@@dionysis_ Well, I thought he made it pretty clear that this wasn't a *rigorous* exposition of *anything* he talked about. Nevertheless, you seem to think these issues have to involve "extremes of space and time" that are "unbounded" (the opposite of your "if you bound your meaning"), which, near as I can gather, means everywhere & forever. But clearly, none of what we come up with has any importance outside this solar system, or longer than our species lasts. Granted, that's expansive, but hardly unbounded. Indeed, little of what *any* of us comes up with will have importance beyond our own last breath, or maybe that of our kids or grandkids. I suspect this is most of why so many people cling so fiercely to religions that tell them death isn't the end… For that matter, *all* moral beliefs are "faith statements", because morality is inherently subjective. That's true no matter how rationally you justify your beliefs.

[@dionysis_]

jursamaj yes exactly, you gave an accurate description of the issues of rationalism. That is why it is argued that rationalism leads to nihilism and a faith on the transcendent (again doesn’t have to be God) is required for morality. But most sane people want to act morally and indeed (most) rationalists do act morally. Thus they are acting out faith based reasoning while proclaiming rationality as a basis for their world view. That is why I said the world view is incoherent.

[@jursamaj]

@@dionysis_ Well, no, rationalism doesn't inherently lead to nihilism. That's just religious propaganda. Rational morality starts from the "faith based" position that the well-being of others matters. Everything follows rationally from there. You, on the other hand, start from "a faith on the transcendent" (whatever that may mean), and presumably proceed rationally from there. Once past the axioms, I don't see that one is any more or less coherent than the other. An argument can even be made that concern for the well-being of others is itself ration for any social species. I've never heard any effective argument that "faith in the transcendent" can be rational.

[@srdahl]

Thank you very much for keeping the quality of this channel high, I'm glad I subscribed. However there's one thing in this discussion you 'scientists' overlook, life is not a scientific thing but, according to Aristotle, life is self generating action. I don't know of a better definition. 2. In this physical universe life must always have a form, such as an amoeba or a man. The floor must be able to regenerate itself because it is alive and has the urge to do so. Otherwise the form will expire. 3. There is no way anything can spark into life, some of this was disproved when Pastor kept meat out of the air, there is no 'spontaneous generation.' Life can only come into a form when it is imparted buy another living being. 4. Obviously, if you track living forms you will get to basic 'materials', but to animate them, inside the three dimensions, a spiritual being which has life in it, and the desire to impart it. Moreover, a shaping is needed. For cause, we are therefore back into a timeless spiritual universe. Which is NOT the realm of science!

[@tabordizon]

Philosophically speaking, if one is a naturalist and atheist I don't see how meaning can even be a question. If life is random and there is no God or transcendent being, then there is no meaning or purpose to speak of. It just doesn't seem to make sense to even ask the question. If atheism and naturalism is true then all other spiritual or religious beliefs are not true. If atheism is true and the world is random and individuals have no intrinsic spiritual value then it would be inconsistent with the naturalistic belief or view to then conclude life has meaning. Just like science cannot tell you about lifes meaning neither can naturalism tell you anything about the meaning of life. In my opinion this view, if truly lived out, can only lead to nihilism. For example Sean stated in one of his episodes "that hope is just bad information". In my opinion not taking hope as real or valuable is potentially a fatal mistake, sometimes hope is the difference between living and dying. It seems to me when attempting to discuss meaning, or love, or hope naturalist or atheist tend to say it's either make believe or chemicals in our brains which is to say that they're illusions or not real or very meaningful.

[@galaxia4709]

I think you're wrong, bacteria do have the same and equal #goal as all life (in the universe) has: to survive as a single individual in order to survive as its species. Also, you are projecting when saying it would need a nervous system or "images" for this. Well, apparently not! Bacteria do not have an inferior or degraded version of #goal to multicellular life. The distinction between single cellular and multicellular life is a wrong criteria to hold in the context of the main goal of ALL life: to survive. "Bacteria want to survive" does contain more information than "bacteria move to the other side of the petri dish". It's a serious projection to assume life needs to be able to conceptualize the world in order to be capable to strive to survive plus you are violating the biological law that all live wants, yes wants to survive. Bacteria are even better at it than you. 42:00

[@PavlosPapageorgiou]

I see. I thought you'd talk about your own philosophy of leading a good life, rather than literally the definition of "life" and "meaning".

[@psycronizer]

yeah...I didn't find it particularly revelational or even educational....I would have been more interested in his own personal views rather than the mediocre scientific chat.....I learn very little from these things, it's all old hat...

[@Tore_Lund]

From meaning as an impulse to utilitarianism!! So you consider evolved instincts to be "meaning"? We can chose to use our brain to argument our biological needs, but we can also chose to realize, that whatever we want or feel or think is right in society, makes absolutely no difference. Personal happiness, is exactly what on the meaning scale? Thermodynamics and Gravity with the other forces, are the big drivers of direction in the universe, but even if they through the complexity of organic chemistry, makes you think that seeing you kids grow up and have meaningful relations etc. It can not be meaning as in "intent" a direction toward a goal,. Quite possible, it is most likely even simpler, just a temporary rush of endorphins and other relation building transmitter drugs, that we evolved to reinforce group coherence in the monkey gang we used to be part of, to increase survival. So in science, it really becomes pointless to even toy with a concept of meaning, even if you internalize it, not involving deities at all, it still implies purpose. If you (or I) claim to have found meaning, we have invented religion, even if it is your own and you don't tell anybody about it. Live your life without meaning. Be driven to understand how the universe works, but know there is no prize when getting it right. There is no hidden truth to be discovered. Life on Earth is just a hiatus on the latter down to a lower energy state. If that is a purpose, it is for humanity to destroy Earth as fast and inefficiently as possible? If you claim any kind purpose, even the most bland and simplistic possible, you claim the universe has a purpose and that is not science. Science avoids that, it only asks how. NB. You are a wonderful narrator, you line of thoughts when elaborating on a subject, is just serving every detail and caveat at the right time, to really make the listener, stay completely in tune to where you take them. Thanks.

[@robertglass1698]

So, my life is worth 5-10 million dollars. Interesting that if I miss a paycheck my entire world falls apart. Seems fair.

[@AnonymousuomynonA]

i think your attack on individualistic happiness as the meaning of life is pretty weak. You say that Gandhi and MLK weren't particularly happy people, but who says i would want to be MLK or Gandhi? What if i just want to chill, be happy, and stay away from drama? Why can't that in itself be a life goal?

[@callistomoon461]

I enjoyed this, but it‘s hard to derive meaning from choices once you realized there is no free will. It‘s strange that Sean apparently still lives under this illusion.

[@Galiuros]

The meaning of life? Every life has a unique meaning. That's 8 billion people each with their own significance. What is our purpose for being alive? As sentient beings we are here to observe, contemplate and attempt to make sense of everything. That's all.

[@WebHackmd]

nope, sorry buddy, we are here for nothing, stop drawing on the world the intentionality of your psychological needs.

[@Galiuros]

@@WebHackmd That's quite a reach. Giving thought to things has an intrinsic value. Whether or not it's shared or even true doesn't matter. Since the processes that govern the Universe has allowed us to contemplate, then that is what we do. That's not nothing. Stop assuming life is all for naught just because it all ends at death.

[@psycronizer]

@@Galiuros well, so far, there are no laws or special discoveries that prove that life has some purpose, we can all do whatever with it. So life is open to it's user, meaningful,meaningless, user definable...

[@andreyb4142]

I think I would be more brave to say that: 1. Life is meaningless by definition. 2. Social world in which we all have to live in is ugly and terrible. 3. Most people are stupid enough to not realizing that they are living in an illusion and trying to convince others about this illusion existence.

[@terrythetuffkunt9215]

Such a simple topic... dont be so bland, Sean. Ask the big questions.

[@NoActuallyGo-KCUF-Yourself]

So, how about that FASCIST TAKEOVER going on right now?

[@cazcam2000]

@Sean Carroll I love the presentation skills you have, I like the way you perceive humanity and the way you treat people. But... You are very blinkered in certain ways, you seem to have built yourself a box, a box where all your beliefs are stored and where you live. This box limits you and gives you a false sense of reality. Can I ask you a question, does Religion frighten you? Does it cause fear in you. I am not religious, but neither am I a atheist. You say that when the body dies, your energy dies too, how can you be certain of this? What scientific evidence is there to back up your belief? Or is the real reason, the fact that at our present level of understanding, we just don't know. It's okay to say, "I Don't know". It's not okay to say, "I know", when you don't know. For me, that'a the problem with modern science, it makes claims that are made on half baked idea's and assumptions, and then puts them forward as the truth. Sort of reminds me, of a little belief system called "Religion", don't you think! :-)

[@leonenriquez5031]

Meaning is not a value, it's a process... again with the Ought/Is divide? Dude... SMH Sean, you are so wrong in your understanding of Subjective and Objective realities is not even funny!! Try to understand Intersubjective and read someone like Charles S. Peirce and understand Science outside your false Subjective/Objective dichotomy.

[@billhendrixson6234]

Cancel culture tax payment?

[@jamesdevine620]

your political bias is showing..........maybe you should be the best you can be and just leave others alone