Thoughts On The Universality of Existence -- How to Understand It
Updated: Feb 24
(This can be seen as a prequel to this aritcle: https://www.philosocom.com/post/thoughts-on-the-theory-of-unity-we-are-all-one)
*************
An assessment I wrote to a reader
It is very likely that we are all "One" in the sense that we are all made from the same materials as the Earth. The Earth is a collection of asteroids that collided with each other, and perhaps the same is true of other planets in the universe. Even beyond these asteroids, there is a specific, universal energy called "Zero-Point Energy." This energy was not necessarily created by a deity, but simply fluctuates in and out of existence, thus creating the universe.
I find this theory to be very interesting, but I am no expert. Additional reading is required for anyone interested in this concept. However, even if we are unique as individuals in our personalities, interests, and so on, it is reasonable to claim that we all have an origin. This origin may be one or more gods, or a universal, fluctuating energy.
In one way or another, none of us are actually made from a unique set of materials. We all consume the same materials by breathing, eating, drinking, and even before -- by being combined into a single entity by sexual relations.
Similarities and Differences in Human Beings
According to the ideology of individualism, every individual being is unique, meaning that they are different enough from any other being to be considered distinct. However, there is a problem with this premise. If we can find even one person who is bland enough to be considered not unique, then perhaps we are not as special as we think we are. For more on that, I devised the Reverse Individuality Theory.
I hold this ideology dear to my heart, but I also believe that it is important to be realistic. We are all unique in our own way, but we are also all human beings with the same basic needs and desires. We all have different sets of potentials. Some of which we are not even aware of because of how much we limit ourselves in the name of others. Knowing ourselves more would mean knowing more what we're truly capable of. Some of that potential can bring much good to humanity, while other, the exact opposite.
I believe that it is important to celebrate our individuality, but we should also remember that we are all connected. We all have common genetic origins and our importance might as well depend on our responsibility for others, like my responsibility for this site, or your responsibility for your children.
It is possible to blame the process of socialization for this conclusion of averageness. After all, socialization is designed to make individuals conform to the norms, and the more normal you are, the less unique you are. Norms are society's leash on you, and when these limitations are not justified, they are flawed. This could be a reason why individualism is rightfully seen by some as false -- because the norms limit our uniqueness and thus, limit the greater extant of potential. I also wrote on how to be more unique.
This led me to form my own kind of individualist ideology, which believes that individuality is to be earned, and is not inherent to one's existence simply because we are separate beings. Without the work of finding and/or creating your distinct individuality, that individuality will either stay hidden or non-existent.
Common Material Origins
In addition to this contemplation, we can also claim that individuality is not so dominant in its presence due to the fact that we are all "made" of the same materials; materials that can be found in food, fluids, and theoretically on soil (those who are buried without a coffin technically become a part of the Earth).
Furthermore, the materials that Earth is composed of are also contained, whether completely or partially, on other planets, regardless of how far they are from us. If we are all made from the same set or sets of materials, what is so special about us materialistically, if one's particles are not so distinct than another's, other than the fact that they are in a different being and/or are differently embedded within the body?
Because of this reasoning, there is no need to "retreat" to the spiritual realm in order to argue for the universality of existence, as that universality could be correct no matter how religious or irreligious one is in their beliefs. In a sense, we are all one, but in separate bodies and constructs. It doesn't matter if you believe in one or more gods, evolution, or whatever -- even in the separation of being, there is a common origin, a common resource.
We all need materials that exist in our environment in order to sustain ourselves -- oxygen, protein, H2O, and so on -- even if said materials don't exist on many planets, they do exist on planets that are similar to our own home world.
What is, therefore, so unique about water from outer space to water from this world when they have been, essentially, constructed by the same particles, which we ourselves are composed of? After all, we are mostly water. If we were to drink said water from another planet, assuming that water is as drinkable as here on Earth, will we become different in our personalities, or in our bodily composition? Unless there is a special agent in that water, we will logically stay the same, as the water in that region of the universe is as drinkable and life-sustaining as it is here. Otherwise, we would suffer from illnesses or even death.
Regardless of the "outer space water" argument -- whether you believe in an Abrahamic religion or in the validity of science -- Earth and all of its existence had to be formed in something external of it, as it couldn't just have popped out of existence. Since there were already things outside of it (asteroids, other planets, and so on), it would be inevitable to conclude that Earth was formed out of things that were already present.
And indeed there is some truth in the Old Testament, when it argues that in the very beginning there was chaos. What was that chaos? It was but the chaos of anything that collided into each other and thus formed the Earth as it was many millions of years ago. Unless we came from an external origin, like extra-terrestrial beings (assuming it could be true, of course), our common origin as biological beings are pretty much the many particles that were drawn into the Earth and thus formed it.
Are we all that unique, thus separated in distinction?
Physically, the vast majority of us are not. We are all composed of very similar particles, and we consume these particles in order to sustain ourselves. It is logical, to an extent, to see who we are based on our nutrition.
The only way to achieve true individuality is to develop our own character to the point where it is unique enough to be distinguished from others. And to do that we must unlock our inner genius. I'd like to argue that we all have that potential within us. And unlocking that potential can make you a genius.
But no amount of genius can hide the fact that we are human, or that we have a common ancestry with many people. We cannot escape from Earth to be the first colonizer of another planet (yet). However, we can work on becoming more unique, so that we can be distinguished from others. Doing so can make us the best versions of ourselves, but can also make us lonely as it will be more difficult to find common denominator with other people.
In other words, we have some grip on our ability be a common part of humanity, for either side (belonging, thus being part of a more universal entity, or the exact opposite). And this has nothing to do with the material aspect of existence because humans also have access to the abstract layer of existence.
And even if you gain power as the best/greater versions of yourself, you might still find yourself having little in common with people because people relate to each other by findings things they themselves have in them.
In a sense, we are all "one" that has been multiplied into countless bodies and entities, like rain from a cloud. If we assume that "Zero-Point Energy" is true, then we are all formed from a universal stream of energy that is present everywhere Therefore, there is no need to retreat to more spiritual/mystical/occult theories of oneness. The physicality of our existence seems to do the job just as well.
Make sure you're aware of what you are sacrificing by being more of what you're capable of, and less restrained by what many others allow themselves to be restrained by. The restraint of the norms, although limiting, is also what allows us to find common grounds with one another. By dressing, behaving and thinking in similar ways, we may find it easier to connect with one another and thus become more "universal".
He or she who lives beyond these socio-universal standards the norms attempt to impose, might find themselves alone and even loveless.
A Personal Reflection
The business of philosophy empires is lonely, hence why I personally find it hard to relate to most of humanity, who are not busy building massive philosophy article empires, like I do.
But unlike them, the philosophy empire business is the only thing that makes me relevant to others. Others relate to me by the content I provide, and not to me as a person.
At least that is the way I have some connection to humanity universally. As anyone can comprehend and relate to my words.
It's the only reason why I am not completely alone.
