Chapter 1: Understanding Teleology

The concept of teleology encompasses two primary definitions: one philosophical and the other theological.

According to philosophical interpretations, teleology refers to explaining phenomena through the purposes they serve rather than their causes. Theologically, it denotes the doctrine of design and purpose within the material realm. While these interpretations are related, the theological viewpoint often presents an extreme perspective that emphasizes design.

Unfortunately, the theological insistence on a definitive 'Truth' has tarnished the notion of purpose, leading to a contemporary preference for binary thinking that neglects nuance and context. The choice between emphasizing cause and effect or purpose is inherently context-dependent, and both perspectives hold value.

When faced with fundamentalism and its insistence on concepts like creationism versus materialism's evidence-based approach, materialism often prevails in influencing rational thought, even if it leaves emotional connections wanting.

Over the past three centuries, particularly in Western thought, the understanding of teleology has suffered significantly. While it is impossible to eliminate purpose from human experience, it has been forced into the background, overshadowed by individualistic identities.

As materialism gained dominance, proponents sought to eliminate the concept of purpose entirely, insisting that the universe operates on deterministic principles, from the smallest particles to the cosmos. This perspective has placed consciousness and free will under scrutiny, dismissing attempts at reconciling them with materialist views, such as compatibilism and panpsychism.

To some philosophers and scientists, this characterization of our current intellectual environment may appear exaggerated. However, for those not deeply engaged in philosophical discourse, discussions around these themes may invoke indifference, as they shift focus to more immediate concerns.

Yet, the implications are profound. As witnessed with climate change, ideas take time to gain traction, and their consequences often emerge only when they become impossible to ignore. Our understanding of free will and consciousness fundamentally shapes our self-perception. Whether we view ourselves as complex biological machines following a predetermined path or as agents in a purposeful universe has significant implications for our political freedoms and our interactions with the planet.

Consider the common assertion that our brains function merely as advanced computers. This notion has been widely accepted without critical examination, even by some esteemed thinkers. Here are a few notable quotes on the subject:

“I regard the brain as a computer which will stop working when its components fail.” ~ Stephen Hawking

“The human brain works as a binary computer and can only analyze exact information-based zeros and ones (or black and white).” ~ Naveen Jain

“A computer... is just any device capable of implementing various computable functions; thus, the brain is literally a computer.” ~ Blake Richards, MIT Technology Review

In a February 2020 article titled "Why your brain is not a computer," zoologist Matthew Cobb argues that viewing the brain as a passive computer neglects its active role as part of an organism that interacts with the world, shaped by an evolutionary history.

Active organs do not merely react to inputs; our relationship with the world is dynamic and reciprocal, influenced by both nature and nurture. Research indicates that perceiving ourselves as programmed entities without free will can negatively affect our behavior; those convinced of their lack of agency are more likely to cheat or steal.

Ironically, determinists might use these findings to argue against free will. Even if it is a useful illusion that promotes ethical behavior, the insistence on determinism can undermine the belief in choice. The idea that there is always a prior cause to our decisions perpetuates a cycle of deterministic reasoning.

Nonetheless, an "active organ," as Cobb describes the brain, responds to information, even if that information is flawed. The lack of choice in response does not equate to the absence of influence in shaping our actions. While some reactions may be instinctual, it is through contemplation that we find our proactive role within the universe's complex web of cause and effect.

Iain McGilchrist, in his critique "The Matter With Things" (2021), emphasizes that intentional actions do not necessitate total awareness or control. Great thinkers like Mozart and Poincaré were often surprised by their creative insights, suggesting that their revelations were not mere acts of will.

While we may not control every aspect of our existence, we can navigate challenges and design solutions to enhance our lives. A purposeful existence does not demand that we be the sole authors of our fate; we exist as both causes and effects within a broader context.

So, why are we frequently urged to accept a deterministic worldview that portrays us as mere automatons, devoid of influence? We are led to believe not only that we lack inherent purpose but also that the forces that shaped us are meaningless byproducts of random and mechanistic processes since the Big Bang. In this view, determinists assert that everything is a means without an ultimate end.

Paradoxically, many proponents of extreme determinism express confusion at humanity's reluctance to respond to crises like climate change, as if people could simply change their perspectives at will. Brian Greene has stated that “the preponderance of data is pointing in a given direction,” implying a need for increased confidence in the data. Yet, he also claims that free will is an “illusion.”

This deterministic framework confines individuals, suggesting they cannot choose to reflect on their lives or improve the world around them, as they are as powerless as they are to select their parents. Even upon achieving awareness of our thoughts and impulses, we remain perpetually devoid of the capacity to steer our path.

Determinists face a logical conundrum here. They argue that even in a purposeless universe, individuals can find or create personal meaning. However, this argument merely shifts the goalposts closer to their limited philosophy. If a species is entirely subject to the whims of its constituent particles, how can it claim to choose or generate purpose?

Critics of contemporary materialism do not dismiss the role of physical laws in the universe. Rather, they argue that materialism’s staunchest advocates have extended its application beyond logical boundaries. While naive materialists assert that a purposeful universe cannot be scientifically proven, they conveniently overlook that a universe devoid of purpose also lacks proof. Thus, the inquiry shifts from what is scientifically verifiable to what perspectives are most beneficial for individuals and society.

From a pragmatic standpoint, the ultimate measure of truth is functionality. No known society has completely abandoned the concept of purpose, nor has any society that disregards it thrived long enough to attract historical attention. Individuals, even those who contend that the universe lacks intrinsic purpose, still seek meaning in their lives. The absence of purpose often leads to tragic consequences for those unable to find it.

While free will is not absolute, limitations are inherent to our universe. Choice arises from resistance; without challenges, concepts of purpose and meaning would never manifest. In a reality where anything was possible, the need to assign meaning or make choices would vanish.

“Knowledge…is a process of openness and receptivity,” states Iain McGilchrist. This perspective has significant implications for common Western notions of an omniscient God. As McGilchrist notes, if God were all-knowing in terms of facts, such knowledge would impose limitations, inhibiting true freedom and the potential for love that relies on the autonomy of a true Other.

It’s vital not to become ensnared by literal interpretations of terms like “God.” The broader concept of purpose, focused on learning, creativity, and expanding awareness, remains an ongoing journey. This principle applies at both the cosmic and individual levels. Even in the Genesis creation narrative, God first created light and then recognized its goodness. Each subsequent act of creation revealed its value only after it occurred.

Contrary to popular belief, Genesis does not depict a deity with foreknowledge of all outcomes but rather illustrates a humble creator engaged in the continuous act of creation—an endeavor still unfolding, in which we play a role. Creation is open-ended rather than predetermined, a notion supported by both myth and science.

The Genesis narrative also serves as a cautionary tale against deterministic ideologies such as intelligent design and naive materialism. Both perspectives view the universe as operating in ways that, at least theoretically, allow for predicting outcomes based on initial knowledge. The belief that understanding particle positions can forecast larger-scale behavior (as posited by Brian Greene) is not fundamentally different from claiming an omniscient being could devise a master plan with guaranteed results.

In a statement attributed to Goethe or Oliver Wendell Holmes, it is said, “The greatest thing in this world is not so much where we stand as in what direction we are moving.” This encapsulates the wisdom of perceiving purpose as a creative force still in development.

While our current position holds significance, it provides only a snapshot. Understanding purpose cannot be achieved by anchoring it in time or space, just as one cannot appreciate a river's flow by examining a photograph of it. Purpose is about the trajectory of our journey. Rejecting or diminishing it does not halt our movement; instead, it risks leaving us adrift.

Chapter 2: The Role of Purpose in a Deterministic World

The first video, "Justin Bieber - Purpose (PURPOSE: The Movement)" explores the theme of life’s purpose through artistic expression, highlighting the importance of finding meaning in our experiences.

The second video, "How to Live a Life of Purpose, Meaning & Passion," offers practical advice for cultivating a fulfilling life, emphasizing the significance of intentionality in our daily actions.