How many of you actually believe that human existence matters in the universe, aside from the damage they do?

Question

When humans are gone, the world will carry on. Another species will rise to the top of the food chain. Humans are a temporary, but acute disease to the world, rather than the reason for it's existence. Your thoughts?

Answer 1

Some believe the human race on this planet is analogous to a malignant cancer growth on individual’s body. The cancer will eventually kill the individual, but, the others will carry on as they always have. The fault with this analogy is that there is only one planet that we now know of, capable of supporting our feeble, insignificant lives; earth. I doubt that the arrogance and ignorance with which humankind indulges its selfish desires is capable of killing this planet. I imagine we are indeed capable of destroying this planets ability to sustain our pitiful lives. I would not be surprised if this is the ultimate outcome of this situation which in the overall grand scheme of things is absolutely meaningless. People are deluded into thinking that their lives have substance and immortal significance. I don’t think so. I think we are all going to live and die and never know why. Nevertheless, while I am still able, I will continue to survive and try to find peace and contentment in the simple things, which when I stop to think about it are actually quite complicated.

Answer 2

I am sure that we are not the reason that the Earth exists but we certainly make it an interesting place. Why should we be considered temporary? We breed like other animals, with some people that is not exactly a good thing but it is a fact.
My existence matters to those who love me and in whose life I have made a difference. I am just a small light in the universe but I know that I am a bright one. All I want is to share the light. Every action does cause a reaction you know. Have a great day ...

Answer 3

Logically, in terms of the entire (infinite) universe, no, we do not make any note worthy impact and never will. Our existence is moot in the grand scale of the universe and our timeline of existence is nothing more than a blink of an eye.

Now, limiting the field of view to just our solar system, and that answer could change depending on how far we advance as a civilization (or last, rather) throughout the future.

Answer 4

two school of thoughts really. first, the universe was created for humans. the other, the universe exist and humans evolved in it, just like other creatures on earth without any outside intervention. so the question really should be, how will humans evolve in the future and go forth and explore the rest of the universe.We are at the edge of a future space exploration that will determine the future of human existence.
Two thousand years ago, humans didn't have any idea that we will set foot on the moon. Today, me in particular, I will miss knowing what happens 2000 years or 10000 years from now, and that makes me really wish I will be aware of it still after my physical existence ends.

Answer 5

Universe and we are same. There is no question about perfect or imperfect. It is what it is - natural state of existence. It is the human mind which has developed the idea of perfection for its survival and identity. This has little significance for the nature.

Answer 6

It matters to me because I am alive in this world and I'm trying to do what I can to make it better. We might be insignificant as a whole, in this infinite universe. But we are important to each other. I feel if we could all learn to be more compassionate towards one another, this wouldn't be such a bad place to call home.

Answer 7

I don't think we matter. Sara Teasdale said it best in her poem "There Will Come Soft Rains". I'll include it here.

There will come soft rains and the smell of the ground,
And swallows circling with their shimmering sound;
And frogs in the pool singing at night,
And wild plum trees in tremulous white;
Robins will wear their feathery fire,
Whistling their whims on a low fence-wire;
And not one will know of the war, not one
Will care at last when it is done.
Not one would mind, neither bird nor tree,
If mankind perished utterly;
And Spring herself when she woke at dawn
Would scarcely know that we were gone.

I think she wrote it in 1920, inspired , so to speak, by the carnage of WWI. I think it's a lovely poem.

Answer 8

The question is how does any belief system operate and is there a way to know whether the belief is reality or just a preconditioned thought-memory interaction and imagination. When I understood this deeply all questions and belief systems disappeared-try it.

Answer 9

My thoughts are conflicted....
to some extent I agree.
But at the same time-
we may as well make it "matter" as much as we can in a constructive way; while we can.
Just because it may not matter tomorrow, is no reason for it to unimportant today.

Blessed be.

Answer 10

I could care less if my existence matters past the expanses of the universe. Earth is far enough for me. What would you suggest then? Vaporizing all life on earth with nuclear weapons?