Zhuangzi was a philosopher whose writings are still famous for their deep and influential thoughts. The following is one of the most famous stories he tells, questioning the concept of reality and mind:
One day I dreamt that I was a butterfly, flying freely and doing what I pleased, without knowing that I was Zhuangzi.
But when I woke up, I was Zhuangzi without a doubt.
So did Zhuangzi dream of being a butterfly, or am I a butterfly dreaming of being Zhuangzi?
Occam’s razor is a philosophical concept that dictates that all other things being equal, the simplest solution is the best. It is useful in many situations, especially the sciences, where it allows one to find an answer without being distracted by the numerous variables.
In medicine, Occam’s razor is extremely useful in differential diagnosis where a doctor may easily prioritise the possible diagnoses and save precious time. Dr Greg House in House MD shows demonstrates just this.
In physics, models showing movement of objects for calculation of force required ignores real factors such as friction or centrifugal force to simplify the situation, showing only the forces being observed. This type of modelling is used in many subjects, where only factors being observed are taken into consideration to find a correlation, or some form of desired truth.
Although some may suggest that this method does not give the “truth” as vital information may be cut out in the process, it can also be argued that one cannot see the truth unless the “distractions” are removed. This is the fundamental basis of the Occam’s razor, where complexities are “shaved” away until truth is left. A quote by the musician Daniel Jacobs, “The truth of simplicity is camouflaged by the complexity of lies just as a tangle of lies will mask the simplicity of truth,” also supports this idea.
People tend to ask “Do aliens exist?”, but a more interesting thought is “What if aliens do not exist?”.
If there are no aliens in this vast universe, then that indicates that we are the only form of intelligent of life. If so, are we not one of nature’s greatest creations and wouldn’t the destruction of such an achievement be foolish? Because if humanity was to become extinct, then that would result in the only species able to think of such a question ceasing to exist.
This theory can further be understood as saying that Earth is the only place in the universe where life can and does exist. Ergo, we (as possibly the last intelligent life) should protect the planet from destruction so that life can continue in the universe.
However, if aliens were to exist, it would be better to ignore them and not search for them. Many dream that they will be benevolent, bringing us advanced technology and knowledge, but in the history of mankind, there is rarely a situation where two worlds meet and the weaker is not looted, enslaved and destroyed.
A pessimist sees a glass as half empty.
An optimist sees a glass as half full.
A wise, happy person drinks the refreshing liquid and then pours another glass.
(also see Points of View)
These are the common points between religion and alcohol.
The number system represents the advancement of life and consciousness.
In a number, the curves represent love, the crossroads represent hardship and the horizontal lines represent binding.
Let’s take a look at each number.
“1” is a mineral. It has one vertical line and has no binds.
There are no curves and ergo no love.
Rocks are not bound to anything nor love anything.
There are no crossroads and ergo no hardship.
Minerals merely exist as the first step of matter.
“2” is a plant. Life begins here.
The bottom line shows that plants are bound to the ground.
Plants are rooted to the ground and cannot move.
The curve on the top represents the plant’s love for the sky and sunlight.
Plants love the sky and is restrained by the earth.
“3” is an animal. It is formed from two curves.
Animals love both the earth and the sky.
But it is not bound to either.
Animals only have pure feelings.
Animals live in fear and greed.
The two curves are two mouths.
If one is a mouth that bites, the other is one that kisses.
“4” is a human. Humans are beings on the crossroad between “3” and “4”.
They can advance to a higher step.
“5” is an enlightened person. This number is a mirror image of “2”.
The top line shows the limit by the sky, the bottom line shows the love for the earth.
He distances himself from other humans but love both people and the Earth.
“6” is an angel. It is a spiral, curve of love rising towards the sky.
An angel is a pure soul and mind.
“7” is a god cadet. “7” is another number with a crossroad.
It is the image of a “4” flipped around.
A god cadet is on the crossroad between an angel and what is next.
“8” is an infinite god. An endless, twisting curve of love.
But this curve spins on the spot and does not rise nor fall.
“9” is a curve. It is a “6”, an angel, turned around.
In other words, it is love coming down instead of going up.
From the sky down to the ground.
It is a curve that spins and spins and congeals mayonnaise.
(from God by Bernard Werber)
There was nothing.
In the beginning, nothing existed.
No light scattered the darkness,
No sound broke the silence.
Everywhere is filled with air.
It was a time when the first force, the force of neutrality, ruled.
But the air dreamt to be something more.
At that moment, a white egg appeared in the middle of the infinite universe.
It was a universe egg full of everything possible and all hope.
The egg began to crack.
The universe egg exploded.
It happened at 00:00:00, 00/00/00.
By the second force, the force of disassembling,
The shell that enclosed the egg of origin broke into 288 pieces.
Light and heat exploded out from the egg,
A giant dust storm spread into the darkness as glittery powder.
A universe was born.
Time began to flow, and as the molecules travelled farther,
They danced to the symphony of time.
(from God by Bernard Werber)
