Answering a list of "puzzling phenomena" without much struggle

Came across these questions on some website.  Enjoy.
 
 
"Here are some puzzling phenomena that every person should try to struggle with, and find the answers."

You overstate the importance of these questions. There's nothing in Maslow's hierarchy of needs that suggests that “every person” should try to find answers to these questions.


"Here’s the full list:

1.What caused the universe to exist?"

I have no idea. I'm pretty sure you don't either. I'll even take it a step further and say that i'm unconvinced that the universe had to have a cause. Lots of people like to special plead an “uncaused cause” into existence and assert that the rules of causality don't apply to it because it exists outside of time and space. I got 3 problems with that.

1. You have no evidence that “outside of time and space” is even possible, much less that it really exists. Furthermore, you have no evidence that within this “outside of time and space” there exists a universe “causer,” nor can you say anything credible about the nature or character of this hypothetical universe “causer” or how it “caused” the universe.

2. The rules of causality are dependent upon the existence of “before” and “after.” Both “before” and “after” are functions of time. Functions of time cannot exist “outside of time.” It's equivalent to saying that an internal combustion engine's internal combustion takes place externally.

3. You have of way of knowing that the rules which apply in time and space (i.e.: causality), apply to time and space itself. Since you don't, you are not free to assume they do.

"2.What explains the fine tuning of the universe?"

There is nothing to explain. The universe is not “fine tuned.”

"3.Why is the universe rational?"

If it were not, you'd have no way of knowing that it wasn't. So how do you know that it is?

"4.How did DNA and amino acids arise?"

Either through a complex series of interconnected natural processes, or a “magic man done it.” Given that I have no reason to believe in magic men who poof things into existence, I'm gonna go with option “A.”

"5.Where did the genetic code come from?"

See previous.

"6.How do irreducibly complex enzyme chains evolve?"

See previous. Oh, and "irreducible complexity" is just a fancy way of presenting an argument from ignorance.

"I’m leaving out numbers 7 and 8 because they lack specificity."


OK

"9.How is independent thought possible in a world ruled by chance and necessity?"

Because the world is not ruled by just chance and necessity. If it were, nobody would have sex for fun. There is a host of other things that “make the world go 'round” that are neither chance nor necessity. But the existence of these things do not necessitate the existence of a god or gods.

"10.How do we account for self-awareness?"

Highly-developed brains honed by years of evolutionary processes. Either that or a “magic man done it.”

"11.How is free will possible in a material universe?"

Because one has nothing to do with the other.

"12.How do we account for conscience?"

Agents of socialization, and enlightened self-interest.

"13.On what basis can we make moral judgements?"

On the basis of the situation in which the action was committed and/or the truth or falsehood of the assumption[s] that led to the action[s] in question.

"14.Why does suffering matter?"

If you have to ask, you have obviously never suffered. Or cared about anyone who has.

"15.Why do human beings matter?"

To whom or what do you refer? To the universe, as far as we know, we don't matter at all. It's gonna do what it's gonna do and we can either cry or get over it. To each other, we matter quite a bit. We, like other primates, are social creatures. Our survival and development as a species and as a civilization depends on our ability to co-exist, and in many cases, work together.

"16.Why care about justice?"

Injustice is detrimental to the individual and to human society as a whole.

"17.How do we account for the almost universal belief in the supernatural?"

Because most people are comfortable to believe what they are told to rather than critically examine what they believe and why they believe it. Ignorance is bliss, and delusions feel good....especially when they make us feel good about ourselves.

"18.How do we know the supernatural does not exist?"

We don't. But we also have no real reason to believe that it does. I don't know for certain that thetans, unicorns, or sugarplum fairies don't exist. But I have no reason to believe that they do.

"19.How can we know if there is conscious existence after death?"

See previous.

"20.What accounts for the empty tomb, resurrection appearances and growth of the church?"

Well, the written evidence for the first two is spotty at best. Not to mention that this same evidence has been translated, retranslated and edited for style, content and grammar a few hundred times or so since the earliest editions we have first came on to the scene...which is a good 40-60 years after the alleged events took place. But...

Empty tomb: an empty tomb is not evidence of a resurrection, it is simply the absence of a corpse.

Resurrection appearances: all based on alleged eyewitness accounts from a biased and heavily-edited source.

Growth of the church: irrelevant. The popularity and or growth of a religion has nothing to do with the veracity of the claims it makes. The Mormon church has grown to 14 million members worldwide in just a little over 170 years. Does that make their claims more credible? Scientology has an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 members worldwide, and it's only been around since 1950. Does that make its claims credible?