Currently I am looking for a particular thread that can pass through all 7 (possibly later 8) chapters in my PhD thesis. While all the chapters are connected with facts, I haven’t hit on one theoretical framework to link everything together, and I’m still looking at descriptions of content rather than at the stage of summaries of arguments. The thesis may end up being connected through multiple frameworks, which is fine. Even so, since my last post I have been thinking about cosmic awareness and whether that could be something I could look for in early 20th century anglocentric newspaper fiction. Showing that the advances in technology during the 1901-1939 period weren’t just due to market forces and curiosity but were also connected to a new understanding of the possibilities of the universe, might be worth discussing. In any case, on a whim, I asked ChatGPT a comparative question. I wasn’t expecting to laugh!
Ignore the role of PhD supervisor for the moment and give me a vast, multiracial, multicountry, multiphilosopher answer – Which is the better viewpoint to take to live as a human being – a global perspective or a cosmic perspective?
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The Global Perspective: Rooted in the Human Condition
A global perspective emphasizes interconnectedness at the human scale, fostering empathy, cooperation, and practical action. It is grounded in cultural exchange, environmental stewardship, economic interdependence, and human rights.
Philosophical and Ethical Foundations
- Confucianism (China): Confucius (551–479 BCE) emphasized ren (humaneness) and social harmony, urging people to focus on relationships and responsibilities within society. This aligns with a global perspective that prioritizes ethical conduct among people.
- Ubuntu (Southern Africa): “I am because we are.” This philosophy stresses collective humanity, reinforcing the importance of viewing oneself as part of a larger, interconnected human experience.
- Kantian Ethics (Germany): Immanuel Kant’s categorical imperative argues that moral actions should be universally applicable. A global perspective aligns with this as it seeks justice and fairness on a planetary scale.
- Postcolonial and Indigenous Thought (Worldwide): Thinkers like Frantz Fanon and Vine Deloria Jr. highlight the consequences of historical oppression and the need for solidarity among nations and peoples.
Pros of a Global Perspective
✔ Tangible and actionable – Fosters engagement in issues such as climate change, social justice, and economic equality.
✔ Cultural appreciation and cooperation – Encourages dialogue and coexistence across nations.
✔ Ethical responsibility – Prioritizes human welfare, human rights, and ecological sustainability.
Cons of a Global Perspective
✘ Anthropocentric limitations – Focuses only on Earth, possibly leading to short-term thinking about existence.
✘ Parochialism risk – Even at a global level, certain perspectives may dominate, sidelining non-Western or indigenous voices.
✘ Human conflict and division – Nationalism, tribalism, and economic disparities still pose challenges to true global unity.
The Cosmic Perspective: Beyond the Human Scale
A cosmic perspective shifts the focus from human affairs to the vastness of the universe, reducing human concerns to a minor fraction of reality. This perspective often leads to a sense of humility, awe, and a reevaluation of meaning.
Philosophical and Scientific Influences
- The Stoics (Greece/Rome): Marcus Aurelius and Epictetus emphasized seeing oneself as a part of the greater whole, an indifferent universe where suffering and joy are transient.
- Hindu Advaita Vedanta (India): This non-dualist school teaches that the individual self (Atman) and the universe (Brahman) are one, promoting a cosmic sense of unity.
- Zen Buddhism (Japan/China): Zen emphasizes mu (nothingness) and satori (awakening), helping individuals detach from trivial concerns and embrace the universe as it is.
- Nietzsche (Germany): His concept of the Übermensch suggests transcending human limitations, which can align with a cosmic perspective where individuals create their own meaning.
- Carl Sagan & Neil deGrasse Tyson (USA): Sagan’s “Pale Blue Dot” speech underscores how Earth is a mere speck in the cosmos, urging humanity to adopt a wider perspective.
Pros of a Cosmic Perspective
✔ Reduces ego-driven conflicts – Recognizing that Earth is insignificant in cosmic time can promote humility and a broader sense of kinship.
✔ Encourages scientific curiosity – Inspires exploration, technological advancement, and existential questioning.
✔ Provides existential freedom – Recognizing that life is fleeting can liberate individuals from unnecessary societal pressures.
Cons of a Cosmic Perspective
✘ Risk of nihilism or inaction – If nothing matters on a cosmic scale, why bother with ethics, politics, or personal struggles?
✘ Potential detachment from human needs – A cosmic view might overlook the importance of social bonds, culture, and justice.
✘ Difficulty in applying it daily – It’s challenging to live day-to-day life while constantly considering the heat death of the universe.
Which Viewpoint is Better?
It depends on the goals and priorities of the individual. If one aims to maximize human cooperation and ethical engagement, a global perspective is more practical. If one seeks deeper existential understanding and detachment from worldly concerns, a cosmic perspective is more fulfilling.
Hybrid Approach: “Cosmic Realism with Global Engagement”
The best approach may be to balance the two:
- Think cosmically, act globally – Accept the vastness of the universe, but commit to making life meaningful here on Earth.
- Adopt Stoic detachment but ethical responsibility – Recognize the smallness of human affairs while still choosing to engage meaningfully.
- Blend scientific curiosity with cultural appreciation – Use knowledge of the cosmos to inspire technological and philosophical progress without ignoring human traditions.
A Final Thought: Rumi and Sagan in Conversation
- Rumi (13th-century Persian mystic poet): “You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean in a drop.”
- Carl Sagan (20th-century scientist): “We are a way for the cosmos to know itself.”
Perhaps the true answer is this: a human being is both Earth-bound and star-born.
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I laughed as I do sometimes worry about the heat death of the universe. It’s not that I’m worried its going to happen, as it’s trillions of years away as humans measure time, it’s just that I haven’t worked out a scientifically plausible solution to prevent it. Not so good for a science fiction writer!
Still, great to see ChatGPT’s answers can cover the bigger questions.
