Heroes Not Zombies

Is the universe moving in a particular direction? Does the cosmos seem to evolve towards some destination? Or, better, perhaps, if not a destination then, at least, in developing it reveals a purpose?

Is that purpose beauty, as Whitehead suggests? Beauty, which Iain McGilchrist describes as “gloriously superfluous and unnecessary, its nature is that of a gift.”

I can’t see a destination, or a pre-imagined purpose – at least, I don’t see it from any utilitarian perspective. I don’t see that the universe exists as a tool to achieve the completion of some hidden task.

Rather, I’m more convinced by those right hemisphere understandings of the direction being towards beauty and ever greater interconnected complexity, and the purpose as the daily celebration of Life, of creativity, of difference, uniqueness and diversity.

I enjoy the idea that the universe exists as a celebration rather than as a tool, and that the direction of travel, or of the “flow”, towards ever more beauty, creativity and uniqueness is exactly my “touchstone”, my “values and principles” with which I want to orientate my life.