WHAT IS “HUMAN LIFE” Part-5

PREFACE In my previous discussion I have put forth some of my idea on ‘Life’ in general. Here I would like to discuss a few definitions of ‘human Life’ in scientific and philosophical way keeping spiritual and religious definitions as separate entity. I hope it will be clear the relationship between science, philosophy and spirituality eventually.

What is human Life? How to describe it? The aim of Life? What is its purpose? How to make a Life journey? Where does this human civilisation heading to ? Should it be meant for fulfilment of body desires? Does it begin within mothers womb and ends with the death of the individual? When birth and death happens to human Life ?Thousands of complexities and contradiction and mysteries both seen and unseen comes out when we try to dissect out the human Life in any way (spiritual, religious, philosophical and scientific).  Sir Isaac Newton discovered the fundamental laws of nature (law of gravity). His magnificent work “Philosophiae Naturalis Principia, Mathematica” (Mathematical Principle of Natural Philosophy) in 1687 was break through in Scientific knowledge on natural law of universal gravitational force. His remarks worth noticing in philosophy of life.

“I see I have made my self a slave to philosophy.” (Reference-1)

“I do not know what I may appear to the world but to myself I seem to have been only  like a boy playing on the sea-shore , and diverting myself in now and ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me”(Reference – 2).

If these are the views of the great scientist ever born on his discovery and on philosophy of life and work, the definition of ‘human Life’ still a bigger philosophy yet debated.

To acquire some knowledge of “what is life”, “human life” in particular, we need to understand what is meant by “human”, we are not beasts; though there are some bestiality instincts within us. Animals are driven by instincts and the need to survive only. of course, recent studies prove that some categories of animals have higher intelligence. Off and on, we also witness such human-like activities through electronic media posting and literature, still the difference is distinct and apparent. We are not God either. If religious scriptures, spiritualism, and philosophies are to be believed. Human beings are mortals with limitations and flaws, rather than divine beings.

So logically we may say, the human being is what human is. He has defined himself by his power and intelligence. He has proved his ability to utilize the natural laws of the universe, to manage the physical and the natural world for his own good. Science and philosophy, art, music, culture, traditions, laws, and ethics, as well as war, crime, and destruction, are all the by-products of living. Human life is affected by such occurrences and activities. Individual spiritual experiences, different religious principles (old and new), and philosophical thoughts have influenced human life since the time of human civilization. According to a Pew research centre study, 2012. approximately 84% of the world’s population is affiliated with specific religion or belief system; 16 % are atheist or agnostic not religious. (reference 3:1).

In reference to this subject the author himself conducted a survey amongst the village people in Balasore district of Odisha in the month of May 2023.The study group were supplied with questionary form to provide individual opinion on belief system .98% of the common people were believer of God.(Reference 3:2).

The recent development of postmodern philosophy, great scientific and technological advances (AI, GPT, and genetic engineering) and personal ego are greatly influencing the definition of modern human. Currently the philosophical concept of human in the light of theism is shifted towards the atheism. (reference 4) . Philosophically, scientifically and spiritually the question is bound to arise “Who am I ?”. The self answer maybe I am the human in the first order.

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