The cosmic roots of human nature and our culturally conditioned self-image

Abstract

Human nature is rooted in the fact that we are living beings and rational beings. According to the comprehensive science that is based on the independent principle of biology, human nature is rooted in the cosmic life principle and in the universal principle of reason. Human beings have a Nature-given, real self-identity that is rooted in the fundamental cosmic life principle, the principle of reason and biological autonomy. Our autonomy, which we identify as our Self, is in its very basis intimately related with the life of the Universe, because our vital instinct is identical to the life principle of the Universe. At the same time, our self-image is usually shaped on the basis of the dominant culture of our society. A culture identifying ourselves with an alienated self-image leads us to become alienated from our original and natural identity given by the cosmic roots of our Self. At present, a dualistic worldview is still dominant in Western civilisation. It is this worldview which is the root cause of alienation. Understanding that this worldview is incomplete at the ontological level can free our mindset from the alienating worldview. It is encouraging that comprehensive postmodern science has already proven on exact mathematical grounds that we are existing in a Living Universe that is governed by the same life-principle which is accessible within us in the form of our intrinsic vital instinct. The cosmic creativity and vitality of the life principle can be realized by us when we listen to it. Our genuine human abilities can develop within favourable family contexts and under conducive social conditions. We show that long-term sustainable development requires a culture in which our socially imprinted self-image is in harmony with our original, natural Self. Remarkably, the results presented in this article offer exact scientific foundations which can be connected with traditional Chinese ideas like tian ren he yi (“Heaven and people in harmony”), “Heaven, Earth and I were produced together, and all things and I are one”, “The great virtue of Heaven and Earth is called ‘life-giving’”, “What Heaven imparts to man is called human nature”, and “Human nature is composed of qizhi (vital energy and raw stuff)”.