The Evolution of the Universe: Man and Universe in their Evolution
Daniele Corradetti
January 12, 2013
Index
- Introduction
- Difference between Physical and Philosophical Investigation
- Cosmology as Philosophical Fact
- Definition of Universe Evolution
- Entropy and Time's Arrow
- Syntropic Processes
- Universe Evolution and Life
- Complexity, Consciousness and Self-Consciousness
- Evolution of Individual Consciousness
- Cosmology as Mysteric Fact
- Cosmology as Mystic Fact
Introduction
In the previous meeting we saw the Evolution of the Universe as it appears to the physical investigation of modern cosmology. Today instead we will enter a very different and much more philosophical domain. The idea of this series of meetings is indeed to provide food for thought that can be useful to individuals to promote personal reflection and action. We could indeed paraphrase Gogol saying: "If an idea does not perform the miracle of transforming the scholar's soul, it is nothing but a fleeting notion." Our objective therefore is not to say what is necessary to think - each person has the dignity to form their own idea, make their own evaluations and draw their own conclusions - but to provide tools and insights to promote personal thought and reflection. In this sense, Archeosophy operates all around, like rays, in an eclectic way, deepening scientific arguments as well as traditional ones.
Difference between Physical and Philosophical Investigation
If in the previous meeting we treated in detail the Evolution of the Universe as it results from Physical investigation structured until now, today instead we will see the topic of Cosmology according to approaches completely different from our usual way of conceiving the world. This is because they were formed in other epochs, with other mentalities and with other purposes. In this sense, in my opinion, it is important first of all to avoid incurring anachronistic judgments: one must not think that the study of Cosmology at that time had the same purposes it has now, nor the same means or methods of investigation.
Sometimes superficiality can lead us to express hasty judgments because hearing similar arguments among themselves, an inexistent identity is taken for granted. The study of the Universe and its Evolution, while being the same, has given life to very different disciplines that it is primarily important to distinguish to avoid overlaps.
| Physical | Philosophical | Mystic | Mysteric | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | The Physicist | The Philosopher | The Mystic | The Initiate |
| Object of investigation | Material reality | Intelligible reality | Interior reality | Transcendent reality |
| Means of investigation | Physical observations | Philosophical inquiry | Mystical experiences | Metaphysical revelation |
| Operational tools | Mathematical formulas | Logic and intuition | Ascetic techniques | Initiation rites, mysteries |
| Purpose | Transform nature | Trace a path | Save the individual | Liberate consciousness |
Therefore it makes no sense to compare or make a ranking between these disciplines that have completely different purposes, objects of investigation and operational tools. The point is that at the center, the subject is always the same, that is Man. To him the choice on how to proceed in relation.
Cosmology as Philosophical Fact
In physics, one does not speak of the finality/purpose of the Universe. This is because it is not part of the scientific paradigm. It is not physics' role to seek a finality in the phenomena it studies; it only seeks to describe them. The finality of such phenomena is an argument that is left to philosophy and metaphysics. For this reason it makes no sense to ask contemporary Physics if there exists a meaning in life or a finality in the Universe. It would be like asking a mechanic for psychological consultation: it is an argument that has been voluntarily cut out from physical investigation. Conversely, when speaking of philosophical and metaphysical investigation, identifying a purpose in Universal life is one of the primary elements for tracing a plan or working hypothesis.
Sophianic movements - why have we chosen them? Because they dealt with evolution providing non-canonical but unthought-of intuitions. Some elements of modern physics investigation are involved even if they are then involved in unusual directions. These authors observed physical and biological evolution and gave it a metaphysical meaning, with which one may agree more or less but it certainly represents an original vision on the subject.