How Human Life Matters in the Universe: A Reply to David Benatar

Abstract

In his book, The Human Predicament, David Benatar claims that our individual lives and human life, in general, do not make a difference beyond Earth and, therefore, are meaningless from the vast, cosmic perspective. In this paper, I will explain how what we do matters from the cosmic perspective. I will provide examples of how human beings have transcended our limits, thereby giving human life some meaning from the cosmic perspective. Also, I will argue that human life could become even more meaningful by making some fundamental achievements, such as determining how life originated.

Keywords: Meaning of Life, Cosmic Perspective, Origin of Life, Origin of Universe, David Benatar