by Jojishi » Wed Mar 18, 2015 6:31 am
I wish there was more out there. Mostly because existence in general is incomprehensibly complex. Just think about all of the laws of physics that have to work out so anything can exist at all, then all the galaxies, solar systems and planets. Then out of the billions of planets out there, we are on the only one we know of which supports a delicate ecosystem and our own lives. Then the fact that we've evolved enough so that we can contemplate these questions.
I don't know. It's just so crazy that a nihilistic view towards reality can seem as unfounded as one which places meaning in everything. I'm going a little off topic here though. My point is that everything is so complex and that we try to act like we know everything, that we can't exactly say for certain what happens after death although we do have a good understanding. We've barely scratched the surface of knowledge in this universe or of our own planet, yet we're still trying to crack the mystery of death or even the conscious mind itself.
If we want there to be anything after death, we'd have to bend the laws of physics and in a way become our own gods. The type v civilisation that would be capable of such things would think nothing of the petty squabbles going on in the world or the fact that people worry over relationships, money or other things of that nature. They would face problems much scarier than our own, such as dealing with the ultimate nature of the universe and having to create simulated realities or other universes to keep thriving.
But, being a human at this point in time is sweet in a way. Some times, thinking about those things gives me a headache and it scares me knowing that a future civilisation which has evolved to that point may have to deal with such problems. I like getting frustrated over the latest game delay or anything like that. I'm an animal and at the end of the day I just want to live a comfortable life.
So I've probably rambled slightly, but I hope that has at least sparked some ideas of just how complex the very nature of everything can be. If the brain is one of the most complex objects we know of, then we can't figure out the nature of consciousness itself until we build up from things such as worms or ants. If we learn the patterns of those neurons firing off in much simpler brains, then we can move onto learning more about the human brain. When we've figured out consciousness we'll have a much greater understanding of life and death in general (but we already have a strong idea at the moment anyway).
I wish there was something more. Mostly because I find it hard to accept that everything we've worked for as a species serves no purpose to the dead. Just thousands of years of blood, sweat and tears. All the things I've learned in my own life. It feels like a story that has no climax and stories without any climatic conclusion suck. At least that's how I feel. I've come to accept death but I'm not going to act like it's no big deal or like just before I was born. I'm alive now and have the perspective to know that existing is preferable to not existing. I like being able to think, feel and experience. The only solace I find is that when it happens I won't know it's happened.
Still, I'm 50/50 on the subject (or more accurately, 70/30 with leaning more towards there being nothing) so I don't know at the end of the day. All I can hope for is that I get to live a full life and I don't die a horrible death.
So to truthfully answer your question (again, my apologies for rambling) I honestly don't know. Whatever you think about it is up to you. Do some searching, read up on philosophy and spirituality, experiment with your consciousness (through meditation or other means) and just do whatever works for you. I guess that's the beauty of it all. You come up with your own answer.