Finding Purpose in a Godless World: Why We Care Even If the Universe Doesn't

by Ralph Lewis, Michael Shermer

A psychiatrist presents a compelling argument for how human purpose and caring emerged in a spontaneous and unguided universe.

Drawing on years of wide-ranging, intensive clinical experience, and his own family experience with cancer, the author helps the reader to understand how people cope with random adversity without recourse to supernatural belief. In fact, as he explains, coming to terms with randomness, while initially frightening, can be liberating and empowering. Realizing that the universe is fundamentally random is not usually the cause of nihilism, apathy, or feelings of pointlessness about life.

Written for those seeking a scientifically sound yet humanistic worldview, the book examines science's inroads into the big questions claimed by religion and philosophy. Dr. Lewis shows how our mistaken intuitions about purpose are entangled with assumptions that life events happen for an intended reason and that the universe has inherent purpose. Integrating disparate scientific fields, he shows how not only the universe, life, and consciousness could have emerged and evolved spontaneously and unguided - so too could purpose, morality, and meaning. There is persuasive evidence that these qualities evolved naturally and unmysteriously in humans, as conscious, goal-directed social animals.

While acknowledging the social and psychological value of progressive forms of religion, the author respectfully deconstructs even the most sophisticated theistic arguments for a purposeful universe. Instead, he offers an evidence-based, realistic yet optimistic, compassionate worldview.

Genres: Philosophy, Nonfiction, Religion

352 pages, Hardcover

Published July 17, 2018

Reviews

[Mark Majors · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, great perspectives

A wonderful book that does a great job of explaining the universe for what it truly is. Packed with facts, science, data, and sound logic, this book is required reading for any open minded individual who has the curiosity to learn more about the universe and our place in it.

[Maru Kun]

Pretty decent interview with the author and Michael Shermer in the Science Salon Podcast

[John Everard Griffith · Rating 4 out of 5]

He ended up exactly where I thought he would end up as a secular humanist. The journey that he takes us on is personal and professional and well done. And I can see how he can be content to be where he ends up. He is good at being non-judgmental toward we who still seek to understand how some kind of God is involved in the process. I have been reading many of the recent books on science and religion and this is one of the best. He has a coherent train of thought as he takes us on the evolution of human history and explains how it all came to be in a very understandable, natural way. He addresses the moral issues in a very believable way. Even for someone coming to this discussion late, he gives enough good information and answers valid questions and objections for evolution to be acceptable as the process of development with god. Toward the end it gets a little fuzzy for me as he seems to acknowledge that there is still some mystery here when we talk about consciousness and human development. Where I go to from where he leaves off is to another Jewish (atheist) writer who comes at this exploration from a personal exploration also because of an illness. A God That Could Be Real by Nancy Ellen Abrams. It is an unusual perspective but one that I find appealing.

[Maher Razouk · Rating 5 out of 5]

قوة الإيمان
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تُعدّ المعتقدات عوامل مؤثرة بقوة في التحفيز والسلوك الهادف. فبحسب مضمونها وسياقها، تمتلك القدرة على الإلهام أو التثبيط. وقد تكون خطيرة أيضاً، إذ قد تدفع بالمرء إلى ارتكاب أفعال مميتة، كاختيار الطب البديل بدلاً من العلاج الكيميائي لسرطان قابل للعلاج. بل قد تدفع المعتقدات البعض إلى قيادة طائرات نحو المباني.

المعتقدات غير المنطقية المبنية على واقع مشوّه قد تكون راسخة ولا تتأثر بالأدلة المتناقضة. ويشمل ذلك المعتقدات الفردية الخاصة، وتلك التي تشترك فيها جماعات كبيرة من الناس. ولا يخفى على أحد كثرة الأمثلة على المعتقدات غير المنطقية الشائعة بين العديد من الأصحاء نفسياً، كالتنجيم، واختطاف الكائنات الفضائية، والتخاطر، وتسبب اللقاحات في التوحد، ونظريات المؤامرة غير المعقولة. فلماذا وكيف يتداول هذا العدد الكبير من الأصحاء نفسياً هذه المعتقدات التي ثبت عدم صحتها؟ الأمر لا يقتصر على مجرد السذاجة والتأثر، بل إن الافتقار إلى مهارات التفكير النقدي يُعدّ بالتأكيد جزءاً منه.

دعا كارل ساغان، مُبسط العلوم الذي شارك في ابتكار وتقديم برنامج "كوزموس" وكان أحد مؤسسي حركة التشكيك العلمي الحديثة، إلى اتباع نهج متسامح لفهم سبب تبني الكثيرين لمعتقدات ساذجة:
«قد يكون الأشخاص الفضوليون والأذكياء والمتفانون في فهم العالم (في رأينا) غارقين في الخرافات والعلوم الزائفة. قد يقول قائل: "كان ينبغي عليهم أن يكونوا أكثر وعيًا، وأن يكونوا أكثر نقدًا، وما إلى ذلك"؛ لكن هذا قاسٍ للغاية. أقول إن اللوم لا يقع عليهم وحدهم، بل يقع على عاتق مجتمع يُفضل نشر الخرافات ويحجب الحقائق العلمية القيّمة... إن أقل الطرق فعالية للمتشككين لجذب انتباه هؤلاء الأشخاص الأذكياء والفضوليين والمهتمين هي التقليل من شأن معتقداتهم أو التعالي عليها أو إظهار الغطرسة تجاهها. قد يكونون بسطاء، لكنهم ليسوا أغبياء. إذا أخذنا في الاعتبار ضعف الإنسان وقابليته للخطأ، فسوف نفهم محنتهم... إنهم يؤمنون بالأشياء لأسباب وجيهة. دعونا لا نستخف بالعلوم الزائفة أو حتى الخرافات»
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Ralph Lewis
Finding Purpose
Translated By #Maher_Razouk

[Aldwin Susantio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everything that happens in this world is completely random and without a purpose. People who believe that everything happens with purpose are mistaken. It is normal to be mistaken because human brain are programmed to find pattern, so it wouldn't be satisfied until it find a reason for something. That's why human all over the world have diverse interpretation of the purpose of life that is contained within religion holy text.

There are several bad effect of knowing that universe has no purpose. One of it is that people might feel existential crisis because it also mean that human life is purposeless too. But who cares if universe has no purpose! We don't need universe to give us purpose because we can make purpose ourself.

But how? The answer lies in this book.

[Paul Froehlich · Rating 4 out of 5]

People commonly read nonfiction that confirms their prior beliefs. Our confirmation bias is powerful. The problem is that it limits understanding of, and learning from, different points of view. Those who practice religion can learn by seeing what those who reject religion have to say, and vice-versa.

Ralph Lewis is a Canadian psychiatrist and assistant professor who argues that unchurched people can find morality and meaning in life without religion. Much of the book describes Lewis’ philosophical journey as he transitioned from being an agnostic who belonged to a synagogue for cultural reasons to the secular humanist/atheist he is today. Why would someone not just harbor doubt, but conclude there is no god? “Finding Purpose” provides an answer, if not one that everybody will find persuasive.

Unlike some atheists, Lewis recognizes that involvement in a religious community is often beneficial to its members in various ways, which includes receiving comfort from fellow believers as well as a sense of purpose. Scriptures contain wisdom, he concedes, though he believes they are human inventions.

On the other hand, Lewis denies that religion is the source of morality. Instead, morality developed among the highly social homo sapiens to make it easier to live together peacefully in clans and to cooperate for the common good. “In general, morality is a matter of putting the group’s needs above one’s own selfish interests.”

All human societies subscribe to a few basic moral principles even as they differ among some details. Evolving in groups, humans developed emotions useful for group living such as empathy, guilt, shame, disgust, anger and self-control. Guilt operates not just after the fact but as a deterrent to committing a shameful act. In short, Lewis concludes that religion is not the source of values but coevolved with culture over time to reinforce existing values.

Lewis also denies that a universe so complex suggests an intelligent design. The scientific evidence, he writes, convinces him that the idea of a designed, purposeful universe is a human construct.
Could the universe have brought itself into existence? Isn’t it rational to conclude there must be a maker? (Ironically, believers never insist that God couldn’t have brought itself into existence. Instead, they accept that God is eternal.)

One theory is that the universe arose within the multiverse, which is eternal. “Science now has cogent, plausible models to explain how the universe and everything in it could have arisen spontaneously and unguided.”

This part of the book is dense reading, as the author delves into details about the multiverse theory, the complexity theory, and so on. He reminds readers that our ancient ancestors, including the Hebrews, commonly attributed natural phenomena like earthquakes, eclipses, and volcanos to an angry god. Consequently, we should be wary about attributing phenomenon we can’t yet explain to divine causes.

Death anxiety is one reason for spiritual belief. People don’t want to face the prospect of their complete cessation of existence, so the idea of life after death is appealing and comforting. As long a 50,000 years ago, our ancestors apparently believed in life after death, as evidenced by tools and provisions they buried with their dead.

Pastor Rick Warren, who wrote the bestselling book “The Purpose Driven Life,” states that “without God, life has no purpose, and without purpose life has no meaning.” In addition, morality requires divine purpose and meaning.

Lewis contends that we have purpose, even if the universe doesn’t. Humans are wired to be goal oriented and to seek meaning. Because we are intentional agents, skilled in perceiving intention in others, we also seek purpose in the universe. “Our sense of purpose is neither derived from nor dependent on the universe having inherent purpose.”

People want meaning in their lives, and religion offers one source of meaning. Lewis argues that “meaning in life is something we make ourselves, driven by our innate motivation and by our intensely social instincts….We are wired to care” about our lives and about the lives of others. A commitment to others makes one’s life more satisfying and meaningful -- a statement most religious people would agree with.

A sense of meaning also comes from our positive impact upon others and in our contributions to society. How we die is an influence on our children and grandchildren, and an opportunity to model acceptance, dignity and hope.

“Finding Purpose” is clearly written and addresses major arguments for religion. The text is interspersed with interesting case files to illustrate how his patients struggle to find purpose.
Lewis makes a plausible case for relying upon science for truth. A growing number of recent scandals, however, suggest that science has its flaws as well. Junk science is widespread. Sham research led to the retraction of 11,300 papers last year. Harvard cancer researchers recently retracted six studies due to manipulated data images.

Science and religion are both sources for understanding life. Some well-known scientists, such Professor of Biology Francisco J. Ayala, contend that faith can be compatible with science. It need not be an either-or choice. -30-

[Roo Phillips · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author is a psychiatrist and gives many interesting accounts of how he helps his patients. He would help his patients in many ways, and this book focuses on how he would help them find meaning. Often, it would be through encouragement in exploring and expanding the patient’s religion. However, for those patients that were more agnostic and facing existential crises, he would help them find meaning in life. This is where (I believe) he intended the focus of this book to be. He does cover this, mildly, at the end. The bulk of the book is really just the history of the universe according to a psychiatrist. But really, much of that is just quoting other experts and scientists because he doesn’t really have any authority on that himself. The best parts were the real, visceral dialogues and actions between the author and his patients. However, they were not well executed given the ballooned scope of the book. It feels like the book easily could’ve been an essay if he really just wanted to cover what the title claims.

[Nathan Hoyt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book turned out to be a really fabulous read - at least for me.

Ralph seems to have a lot of experience in this area of thought and helping others. I knew I would like this when I saw quotes for Yolanda yolski

I hear some real wisdom from what he has learned with his wife’s health issues and how the responses made them feel.

For those that are struggling with pessimism due to nihilism, this book for me helps me reach more of a state of optimism nihilism.

I am glad that Ralph took the time to put his words down on a book.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books I've read in a long time! It was very exciting to see the atheist worldview enhanced with such depth, complexity and a well-researched argument!

It was elegantly written and sophisticated, yet easy-to-read. I really appreciated how the author was able to integrate science, history and philosophy and yet give it a personal and relatable touch.

[Jerry Petersen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dr. Lewis clearly delineates the recent discoveries that have allowed science to delve into areas previously thought to be beyond it: the source of moral guidance in humans and how our sense of compassion and right and wrong are not only compatible with our evolutionary heritage but dependent on it.
We atheists have known all along that we are as moral as anyone else; this book explains why.

[Nirupam Joshi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book giving in depth overview of complexity surrounding this problem. Easy read. Only thing missing is summary at the end of each chapter. That would have been of great help if we happen to go through the book after few months/years.

[Mills College Library]

158 L6756 2018