The Evil Demon Hypothesis

The Evil Demon Hypothesis was put forth by the reknowned French mathematician and philosopher, Rene Descartes. To me, it marks the beginning of the popularity of conspiracy theories that are so very pervasive these days. The Evil Demon Hypothesis Postualtes the idea of an evil demon presiding over the universe. This demon is sadistic and loves manipulating this universe for his own amusement. We then, are his toys. Kids play with lego and hotwheels, he plays with stars, galaxies and human beings. Makes a perfect conspiracy theory, doesn't it?

Looking deeper, this hypothesis is another manifestation of the very human need to imagine a certain someone "in charge" of everything. The evil demon can be viewed as a sadistic and imperfect version of the concept of God, although the evil demon didn't necessarily create the universe. We can't seem to come up with a hypothesis that claims that the universe and everything in it is because of an interplay between energies and equilibria. There has to be, someone good or bad at the helm guiding our destinies- be it the three fates spinning their thread or the evil demon causing you to stub your toe at the door for his personal amusement.

This hypothesis is well used by the Wachowski brothers in the Matrix Trilogy. Here the architect represents the evil demon who maniplates the matrix and everything in it and outside of it for his own gain and amusement. While the movies were certainly enjoyable, i think that it would be refreshing tp believe that nothing conspires against our existence. Although admitedly it would be a good excuse to give your teacher or boss to explain your unfinished work!

Perfect Equilibrium

Perfection has almost always been the goal of all endeavours undertaken by us as individuals and as a society. The concept of a Utopia or Paradise is the image of this driving force we hold dear and propagate from one generation to the next. It pervades our lives, our thought and consequently our literature, right from Plato's Republic over two millenia ago. Yet to me this ultimate goal is something so undeserving; PERFECTION IS FLAWED.

I will argue that perfection as a concept is flawed. It is lacking. Perfection does not deserve to be an ultimate goal; perfection should be an ideal, something never to be reached. This is because achieveing perfection is like reaching equilibrium. Systems at equilibrium lack a driving force to move in any direction. They are static for eternity. They say eternity is the worst hell there could be and to me its easy to understand why. If the universe were ever to reach equilibrium there would be nothing left- nothing to inspire awe and nothing which could feel the awe that the universe today inspires. Perfection, just like this equilibrium lacks a force for movement, and vitally for betterment.

It can be argued that perfection cannot be improved upon, so force for betterment isn't needed. I would argue that standing in the same place can never be all there could be. Achieving perfection would imply there would be nothing to do, nothing to dream of, nothing to strive for. What meaning would there then be in life? Why would anyone living in paradise want to get out of bed in the morning. Life would become an endless cycle of the same routine day after day until you'd wish it would either change or end. Death is a vital instrument in assigning meaning to out lives, and so is the impetus to strive for things we aspire to achieve.

Without the impetus to move life would be hell. Just an opinion, all of it, of course. Perfection is an ideal we should strive for because it does provide the driving force, the impetus. But its not a goal to be realised. Perfection is the worst thing that could happen. Yet its like the fuel you pour in your gas tank. Ironic, isn't it? But life so often is!

My nine-year old cousin yelled at me a few days ago claiming I was so wrong to not believe in God because I refused out of respect for myself and for the opinions of those who believe to enter a temple. I wished I could explain to her that her perfect God was something that could never be the ultimate level of anything, of existence, of virtue... Her Perfect God to me was deeply flawed... I wouldn't imagine a perfect being would have created a universe at all, let alone create a universe obviously riddled with imperction and forces; perfection lacks forces, movement, motion. All I could say was- don't impose your opinions on me. Theists are always so combative; so much for mutual respect for opinions i guess.