The Beginning and the End: The Meaning of Life in a Cosmological Perspective

Abstract: Where does it all come from? Where are we going? Are we alone in the universe? What is good and what is evil? The scientific narrative of cosmic evolution demands that we tackle such big questions with a cosmological perspective. I tackle the first question in Chapters 4-6; the second in Chapters 7-8; the third in Chapter 9 and the fourth in Chapter 10. However, where do we start to answer such questions? In Chapters 1-3, I elaborate the concept of worldview and argue that we should aim at constructing comprehensive and coherent worldviews. In Chapter 4, I identify seven fundamental challenges to any ultimate explanation. I conclude that our explanations tend to fall in two cognitive attractors, the point or the cycle. In Chapter 5, I focus on the free parameters issue, while Chapter 6 is a critical analysis of the fine-tuning issue. I conclude that fine-tuning is a conjecture and that we need to further study how typical our universe is. This opens a research endeavor that I call artificial cosmogenesis. In Chapter 7, I show the importance of artificial cosmogenesis from extrapolating the future of scientific simulations. I then analyze two other evolutionary explanations of fine-tuning in Chapter 8: Cosmological Natural Selection and the broader scenario of Cosmological Artificial Selection. In Chapter 9, I inquire into the search for extraterrestrials and conclude that some binary star systems are good candidates. Since those putative beings feed on stars, I call them starivores. The question of their artificiality remains open, but I propose a prize to further continue and motivate the scientific assessment of this hypothesis. In Chapter 10, I explore foundations to build a cosmological ethics and conclude that the ultimate good is the infinite continuation of the evolutionary process. Appendix I summarizes my position and Appendix II provides argumentative maps of the entire thesis.

Cosmological Speculations and the Meaning of Life

This paper, authored by Clément Vidal, delves into some of the most profound questions regarding the existence, meaning, and future of intelligent life within a cosmological context. Spanning an impressive breadth, it integrates themes from philosophy, science, and cosmology to construct a comprehensive framework exploring humanity's place in the universe. The narrative is woven through three distinct parts, addressing worldviews, the origins of the universe, and our potential trajectory within the cosmos.

Philosophical Foundations and Worldviews

The paper begins by tackling fundamental philosophical inquiries and the significance of worldviews in shaping our understanding of existence. Vidal introduces six philosophical dimensions, emphasizing the need for coherence and comprehensiveness in worldview construction. A set of criteria for comparing such worldviews is laid out, spanning objective, subjective, and intersubjective aspects. This groundwork serves as a methodological guide, bridging philosophical inquiry with scientific exploration, aiming for a synthesis rather than fragmentation within philosophical thought.

The tensions inherent in religious, scientific, and philosophical worldviews are acknowledged, offering insights into their respective strengths and weaknesses. Vidal advocates for a philosophical approach, equipped with a wide scope and grounded in scientific rigor, which attempts to reconcile the normative and descriptive dimensions of worldview construction. The dialogue unfolds across diverse epistemic landscapes, reflecting on how worldviews navigate the complexities of existence and the cosmos.

The Origins of the Universe

In exploring the origins of the universe, Vidal encounters several challenges including epistemological, metaphysical, thermodynamical, causal, and issues surrounding infinity. The inquiry is then flipped towards understanding cognitive expectations on what constitutes a satisfying explanation for the universe's origin. Two primary cognitive attractors are identified: the point and the cycle. Point explanations include notions of an initial cosmological singularity or divine creation, whereas cyclical models suggest a self-sustaining universe, akin to various cosmological speculations like oscillating universes.

The paper critically examines these attractors and their implications. Tolman’s cyclical models and various objections against cyclical cosmologies, including those involving infinite regressions and eternal occurrences, are discussed. Vidal concludes that cyclical explanations may be more promising, offering greater coherence with thermodynamical principles that govern cosmic evolution.

Free Parameters and Cosmic Fine-Tuning

One pivotal issue discussed is the existence of free parameters in established physical models, such as those within the standard model of particle physics and cosmological models. Vidal studies various approaches to these free parameters, leveraging mathematical, computational, and biological analogies to parse potential resolutions. He makes a case for reducing these parameters, with compelling arguments for capturing and explaining them systematically.

The discussion extends into cosmic fine-tuning, a contentious subject often intertwined with probabilistic fallacies and metaphysical interpretations. Vidal rigorously isolates fine-tuning from related debates, advocating for scientific methodologies to probe whether our universe is indeed fine-tuned for complexity or life. The possibility space of universes is defined, with an invitation to explore this space using simulations—coined as "Artificial Cosmogenesis." This endeavor seeks to map a landscape of possible universes, thereby assessing our universe's likelihood in generating life-supporting complexity.

Future Trajectories and Ethical Implications

Looking forward, Vidal speculates on future developments in scientific simulations, evaluating their significance for understanding cosmic evolution and potential eschatologies. He proposes that the trajectory of scientific simulation could culminate in simulating entire universes, thereby potentially addressing cosmic doom scenarios and profoundly influencing cosmic evolution.

The paper explores cosmological natural and artificial selection theories. Smolin’s Cosmological Natural Selection is extended philosophically into Cosmological Artificial Selection, postulating intelligent life as a pivotal factor in cosmic evolution. These speculative yet deeply compelling theories open avenues for transcending cosmic constraints and appraising the role of intelligence within the universe’s fate.

The concluding chapter delves into cosmological ethics with insights from thermodynamics, evolution, and developmental theories. Vidal navigates the complex longing for immortality, examining various perspectives—from spiritual to cosmological immortality—within this broad cosmological framework.

Conclusion

Vidal’s paper offers a synthesis of predominantly philosophical questions with scientific paradigms. It expands the discourse on the interplay between life and cosmic evolution, challenging established views while probing the intersection of metaphysics, physics, and the philosophical quest for meaning. The breadth and interconnectedness of the topics presented represent a significant methodological contribution towards understanding the vast complexities of the universe, highlighting the profound implications that such understanding has for intelligent life and its ethics.