Smokey,

"It seems to me that humans will convince themselves of any old tosh to avoid confronting the reality of actual death and the ultimate pointlessness of our existence. Little wonder, as it's not a pretty thought. It's time we grew out of it and started facing our responsibilities,"


I don't think this is a fair assessment of the actual issue.

Of course on any issue there are partisan people who form the majority of viewpoints and who swear blind loyalty to their opinions no matter what, and this issue is no different.


However, the matter of the mystery of "I", its place in the universe and its nature, lifespan, connection to the physical universe etc, is the fundamental first step in every line of enquiry.

Every subject you care to think of: philosophy, science, history, economics, music and maths, derive from this line of enquiry - as means of making sense of our lives and the universe we live in.

Science hasn't provided any more satisfactory answers than religion on the subject of "I" and the enquiry continues in increasingly complex and numerous ways.

To say that we should face up to the facts suggests that we know the answers.

To say that we should accept this or that conclusion is to suggest that we should discontinue our enquiries and be satisfied with what we're given.

Sorry, but this question is the petrol in my engine.

Which is interesting in itself ...