Self And The Phenomenon Of Life: A Biologist Examines Life From Molecules To Humanity

Self, Realities, and the Transcendents 327

“9x6” b2726 Self and the Phenomenon of Life: A Biologist Examines Life from Molecules to Humanity

the finite and the infinite, the fleeting and the eternal, and the process
elevates self to the highest level of being. This union, this zeal, is at the
heart of religiosity.
Religion, in its broadest sense, is an antidote to existential anxiety.^29
Without it, man cannot live at ease with himself. Over the course of
history, religion takes on many forms and a great variety of rites, each
suited for the stage of social development and cultural attainment, and
of course colored by ethnic idiosyncrasies. The tribal idolatry, the fear
of Hell and the lure of Heaven, the plea for a Savior, the strife to escape
from the tribulations and travails of endless reincarnations — and, last
but not least, for a select few, pure philosophical contemplation — all
testify to the need of religion one way or another.
Perhaps a note is useful to explain how philosophical contempla-
tion helps in arriving at religiosity. Here is an example. Einstein confided
that it is difficult to explain a cosmic religious feeling to someone who
is entirely without it, yet this same feeling is the strongest and noblest
incitement to scientific research. A serious scientist, in his opinion, is
profoundly religious.^30
In the last analysis, all the multiple forms of religion are but diverse
routes to a common end: the melding of the personal self with the
universe. If there is an ultimate aim of life, this must be it.^31

14.6 An Aside: Origins of Religion in Human History

The origin of religion is the origin of existential predicament. Thinking
beyond the visible and tangible is a prerequisite to religious beliefs. Fol-
lowing are evidence of religion in prehistoric times^32 :

— 100,000 years ago: Blombos Cave in South Africa — geometric designs.
— 95,000 years ago: Qafzeh in Israel — deliberate burials.
— 65,000 years ago: Burial practices of Neanderthals.
— 30,000 years ago: Upper Paleolithic time; France’s Grotte
Chauvet  — animal cave paintings; Germany’s ivory carving of